Originally Published in Dressage South Australia Moving Forward Magazine ISSUE 142 Dec 22/Jan 23.
The 2022 South Australian Para-Dressage Championships held a successful event in Strathalbyn last month.
Run in conjunction with Adelaide Hills Dressage Club’ s Spring Championships, the event saw new and existing Para-equestrians from both South Australia and Interstate compete, observe, and support this important and motivating event.
Riders competed successfully in two Dressagetests on Saturday and Freestyles to music on
Sunday. The adaptability and freedom the Freestyle provides proved to be an all-round crowd-pleaser on the day, with many spectators joining in the dance.
The combination of music and technical skill in these Freestyles showed not only the ability of riders to excel but also create an atmosphere that was fun and exciting
for spectators.
The Equine Advancements FEI Para Championship Class was won by Lauren French
on Eden Eyre Mitchell, with Reserve Champion being Natalie Mellors on Zephyr. Kirsty Van
Loon took out the Equine Pathways Australia EA Para Championship Class on HV Dante owned by Judy Clutterbuck and the Reserve Champion was Naomi Betts on Demi Van Gelder.
The Championships were also privileged to have EA Grade III Victorian rider Kerrie Murnane riding
Buka Matai in attendance. This combination successfully won first place in all their events.
Organiser Noella Angel would like to give a HUGE thank you to the Adelaide Hills Dressage Championships for hosting the event to coincide with their own Spring Championships and to the riders for attending and making it a wonderful weekend where we could celebrate our
sport.
She says:
“Without them taking it on and supporting me there were to be no Champs for 2022”.
She laughs that
“while more communication from the Para Rep (herself) would have been desired, they supported her, and it came together in the end”.
Having only been an amputee for two weeks, Noella came out to run the weekend’s event and support the Para riders, although says she “would not recommend an amputation on top of running a championship event”.
The site provided an exceptional space for effective disability access, with Genna Harkness
from sponsor Thrive Therapy Co providing an accessible Portaloo and “being a brilliant hands-
on sponsor – coming to watch, change arenas and be a part of both days of Dressage. We
loved having her as a sponsor”.
Noella would like to thank Genna for her generous sponsorship in covering the cost of hiring the accessible portaloo for use by our Para athletes and spectators, ensuring all participants
and spectators could engage with the event in a safe and comfortable environment.
This involvement highlights the most important aspect of living with disabilities and being a Para
equestrian: Accessibility.
Organisers and participants would like to give a huge thank you to the team at The Riding Patch for
putting up a large portion of the Para Riders, supporters, horses, putting on a home-cooked
meal for the masses and being a supportive face after a big day of competition.
Noella would also like to thank the two SA Para Judges who did a wonderful job with the riders, not
only with judging them in the arena but for taking the time to talk with riders on the ground.
Thank you, Liz Duncan and Fiona Heysen, for taking the time to be a part of this important event.
