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Not surprisingly, once again the British team dominated in the Nations Cup at the Deauville CPEDI***. Unbeaten since 2012, the Paralympic, World, and European gold medal winning British didn’t give their rivals a chance, finishing more than twenty points in front. The two unbeatable Sophie’s, Wells and Christiansen, true pillars of the delegation had commanding victories in the Team Test and Individual Test in their respective Grades (Grade V and Grade I) whilst Susanna Hext and Lee Pearson finished 1st and 3rd yesterday, in the Grade II, and 4th and 2nd today.

“Deauville is one of the nicest and biggest shows in the World. It’s here that the international season really starts for the British riders. Deauville is one our selection events for the major dates this year and we’re really pleased to be returning. I’m delighted to be a member of the Nations Cup team, at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games I rode Zion as an individual. It’s super to be part of a team ! Zion is 14 year old and isn’t as light as some of the more modern horses, so has to give even more in the arena to impress the judges and win in my Grade. But it doesn’t matter, he gave everything and that’s what matters. I really like him! I hope to take part at the World Equestrian Games at Tryon, but the British team is very competitive and getting on it is really difficult.”  confided Lee Pearson returning to the competition circuit after a one year absence.

Proving themselves to be real challengers, the Netherlands, already the runners-up in 2014, 2015 and 2016, reiterated, climbing onto the second step of the Deauville podium thanks to the excellent performances of Demi Vermeulen (Grade III), Nicole Den Dulk (Grade II), Lotte Krijnsen (Grade IV), accumulating  points. With xxx points, Bronze went to the Belgians, led by a very able trio : Barbara Minneci (Grade III), Manon Claeys (Grade IV) and Ciska Vermeulen (Grade V).

 

RESULTS INDIVIDUAL TESTS :

Grade V : Sophie Wells, Wonder Woman !
wells*fatal attraction*gbr

It was the Grade V athletes that opened the show on Saturday 7th April at 8.54 precisely, competing for the Individual title in a class sponsored by Vincolores. Just like the day before in the Team Test, the double Paralympic Champion Sophie Wells finished well ahead in her class. Partnering C Fatal Attraction, or “ Jorge” as he called at home, the young woman bettered her first performance, obtaining a score of over 77% (77.833%). Thus the member of the British team – alongside Sophie Christiansen (Grade I), Suzanna Hext (Grade II) and Lee Pearson (Grade II) – Sophie Wells was thus able to reinforce the pole position held by the British on the Nations Cup score board. This second day was also synonym of increased scores for the two other riders that joined Sophie on a 100% feminine podium : Cisma Vermeulen (Belgium) on Rohmeo attained 69,905% and Amelia White (Australia) riding Lotus 253 achieved 68,796%.

 

Grade IV: José Letartre light up the Grade IV

The display of José Letartre on Swing Royal*ENE-HN led to La Marseillaise being heard for the second time this weekend in the indoor arena at the Pôle International du Cheval of Deauville. The Frenchman demonstrated the perfect complicity he shares with his Paralympic partner (Rio 2016), by heading the class with a test that was awarded 72.683%. A repeat of the previous day, the podium was completed by Belgian Manon Claeys partnering San Dior and Heather Bennett (GBR) on Zavailantika. Both competitors today performed tests scoring over 70%, obtaining 70.585% and 70.415% respectively.

 

Grade II : The Netherlands chasing Great Britain!

Second yesterday, behind British rider Suzanna Hext, Dutch team member Nicole Den Dulk went one better today and scored a victory in the Individual Test. Piloting Wallace NOP, the team bronze medallist at the last Paralympic Games, obtained 72.529%. Third the previous day, the rider with no less than 28 gold medals to his name, Lee Pearson (GB), finished second this time on Zion scoring 71.647%. His compatriot, Georgia Wilson, climbed onto the podium for the first time this weekend. With Chico III, the 22 year-old rider performed a test rewarded with 69.735%.

 

Grade III : Demi Vermeulen confirms her form!

 

vermeulen*ciska*ned

Second victory at the Deauville CPEDI for young Dutchwoman Demi Vermeulen who’ll be celebrating her 23rd birthday next Monday! In the saddle of her mare, Ciska II, whom she has been riding for the last year only, Demi Vermeulen confirmed her great form with a test rewarded by a score of 72.676%. The rest of the podium remained identical to Day 1 of the show, and saw a good second place going to Belgian Barbara Minneci on Stuart (69.853%), and a third place for the Hong Kongese, Tin Chi Timothy Tsang with Jockey Club Cethegus M (69.853%).

 

 

Grade I : Sophie Christiansen leaves no doubt
In Grade 1, the incredible Sophie Christiansen (GB) struck again, dominating with a test scoring 73.286%. Although partnering her new ride, Amazing Romance, who is making an international debut here at Deauville, the double Paralympic Individual and Team Gold medal winning rider once again demonstrated the extent of her talent. Frenchman Thibault Stoclin and his horse Uniek*HEC, finished their test with a score of 65.857% allowing them to take second place in the class. They were followed, like yesterday, by TSE Pui Ting Natasha and Baxo for Hong-Kong on 65.179%.

 

 

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