New nationwide para dressage Grade IV champion goals ‘to do each’

“It takes a distinct horse to evolve from able-bodied pageant to para dressage.”

The ones had been the phrases of Fiona Maynard, newly topped Grade IV grand prix champion on the LeMieux Nationwide Dressage Championships 2024.

Regardless of an “unintended canter” within the medium trot, the International Elegance Programme para rider ‘s successful margin on her personal Denver IX was once multiple p.c.

Nationwide dressage championships: what’s subsequent for Fiona?

Fiona’s good friend Emma Payne requires her all over her check using. This, she says, was once the largest adjustment for the 2011 Dresemann gelding.

“That was once the toughest factor for Denver to get used to. He was once clearly an able-bodied horse ahead of he got here to me,” remarks Fiona. “To start with, within the first few checks, he would halt subsequent to Emma and take a look at her as though to mention: ‘What are you doing in my enviornment?’

“He’s were given a super sense of humour and a just right persona, so takes all of it in his stride.

“Now he’s were given used to somebody yelling whilst he’s doing his check. We do wish to kind a couple of bits out within the calling so I don’t run Emma over, even though!”

Regardless that the “laid again” gelding has adjusted smartly to para dressage, Fiona, who has a visible impairment, has spectacular plans for able-bodied categories, too. She’s made her able-bodied debut at prix st georges and plans to step as much as inter I within the subsequent six months.

She says: “I’m studying so much with Denver. I wish to do a little extra prix st georges with him over the wintry weather. We’ve were given the CPEDI3* at Wellington quickly, which shall be unbelievable. However the able-bodied inter I is what I wish to do. Expectantly we’ll be again some other yr to do each!”

You may additionally be serious about…