Mari Durward-Akhurst might be making her Paralympic debut in Paris, however she couldn’t ask for a extra skilled spouse than Di Redfern’s 17-year-old all-star Athene Lindebjerg (Gribaldi x Diamant).
Athene is a bona fide legend at grade I and has already gained 9 world gold medals together with her former riders Sophie Christiansen and Julie Payne.
She’s additionally a former in a position bodied nationwide basic champion underneath Jess Thompson.
A confirmed champion
At Athene’s ultimate Video games in Rio she gained triple gold with Sophie, and scored the perfect mark of the entire pageant scoring 79.7% within the freestyle together with her gorgeous piano-based track that left onlookers in tears.
Rio was once an emotional Video games for Sophie who have been taking into account giving up the game after a difficult 12 months through which she modified trainer and battled sickness.
On most sensible of that, Athene gotten smaller an an infection within the build-up and it wasn’t till the day the horses flew to Rio that Sophie knew evidently whether or not the pony she describes as a “grade I stick insect” can be up for it.
“A 12 months in the past I used to be like, ‘Yeah, I’ll win 3 gold medals’, however this 12 months has taught me that the rest can occur in recreation, and not to take the rest without any consideration,” Sophie informed Horse & Hound in 2016.
“For Athene to enter that enviornment and do this – I’m over the moon.”
Julie Payne driving Athene Lindeberg on the Ecu Championships. Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
A 12 months later, Athene partnered championship first-timer Julie Payne to every other trio of gold medals this time on the Ecu Championships.
The pair have been ultimate to head within the group pageant, and with the force on, knew they needed to rating above 74.6% to protected gold.
As silence descended around the enviornment in Gothenburg, the pair produced a flawless efficiency, filled with function and leisure, to attain 78.1% – the perfect rating of the development.
“That was once the toughest check I’ve ever ridden in my lifestyles,” Julie mentioned. “It took completely the whole lot I had however Athene gave me the whole lot.
“My legs didn’t wish to paintings, my pelvis didn’t wish to transfer, however she simply stayed with me.”
A great fit
Julie’s re-classification from grade I to grade II noticed her partnership with Athene come to an finish. Athene then spent a spell at stud, the place she had two foals herself, and two by way of surrogates.
When Di took Athene again from stud in 2023, Mari was once the primary particular person she presented the trip to.
Di has identified Mari since she was once simply 11-years-old attending coaching days at South Dollars Using for the Disabled Affiliation (RDA) at Di’s Mill Area Farm.
“I went to take a look at Athene and fell in love immediately,” Mari – who’s herself a silver medallist from the 2019 Ecu Championships – remembers.
“I’d noticed and heard such a lot about her so that you can be on her was once unbelievable. Using her was once much more wonderful than looking at her – I imply that stroll!
“From the primary trip we began to shape a partnership, and with the assistance of my trainer Rob Waine, it wasn’t lengthy ahead of we have been out competing in combination.”
On the other hand, it was once all simple crusing, and the mix had to conquer some demanding situations.
“The grade I grand prix check had modified, and Athene has needed to turn into extra uphill,” Mari defined. “That was once a problem in the beginning as I can’t use my legs.
“However now she understands my whips are my legs. I’ve needed to turn into healthier and more potent in my core to trip her large motion, so I spend my time doing rowing, energy and conditioning.”
Environment their points of interest on Paris
Mari and Athene’s pageant occupation were given off to a tentative get started because the pair were given to grasp one every other.
“Other people would say to me, you should be feeling such a lot force, however I simply went with it, and since we didn’t win instantly, the force in point of fact was once off,” mentioned Mari.
Nevertheless it didn’t take lengthy for the wins to begin coming in, and in September 2023 they have been topped grade I nationwide champions. This success was once much more exceptional as Mari had simply been launched from the sanatorium following a two-week combat with a kidney an infection.
“I knew I used to be going to make it right here, I simply wasn’t positive how,” Mari mentioned on the time. “I used to be nonetheless slightly wibbly-wobbly after being within the sanatorium however she is aware of what she has to do and I used to be in point of fact satisfied – in truth I feel it was once the most efficient check we’ve ever achieved.”
Since then the pair have by no means completed outdoor the highest two in world pageant. This June, they swept all of the grade I categories at Wellington CPEDI3*, surroundings private bests in all 3, all the way through a run of 8 consecutive wins that noticed them upward push to the highest of the FEI global scores.
“Athene is a dream to trip, and her stroll is unbelievable,” Mari mentioned. “Her ears prick the minute we move down the centre line and as soon as within the white forums she is aware of her task and all the time displays off her sq. halts. One of the crucial judges has mentioned she seems to grin as she is doing her check!”
Their most sensible shape and standing as global quantity ones made them shoo-ins for Paris, the place Athene will make her championship comeback and upload every other exceptional bankruptcy to her already illustrious occupation.
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