A Dream Comes True - International Champion! Mari Akhurst and Sky Win at Hartpury

International Champion! Mari at the Prize Giving Ceremony

We couldn’t be more proud and delighted to tell you that Bader Grant Recipient, Para-Dressage Rider Mari Akhurst, achieved her dream of becoming an International Champion at Hartpury last week. This award couldn’t be more deserved as Mari has been battling with a deterioration in her condition recently and really had to draw on huge reserves of guts and determination to get to this point. Mari, of course, is over the moon as she should be and you can read about her achievements in her own words below.

We agree wholeheartedly with her trainer’s comment:

You are an inspiration to many and today has just added to a great list of achievements over the last year. Who knows where the next 12months will take you!!!

Many, many congratulations from us all, Mari. We are so proud of what you and the beautiful Sky O’Hara have achieved together!

International Champion

I have always dreamed of winning an international and always imagined what it would be like hearing the national anthem play. Well thanks to my amazing horse, mine and my teams hard work my dream has become a reality!

The last few days have been incredible and I have enjoyed every minute.

Day 1 Vet Check, Arena Familiarisation and Trot Up

Day 2 Team Test

We were all really pleased with my team test and were a bit disappointed when the score came out at just under 70% and I finished 3^rd. Unfortunately one judge pulled me right down that’s dressage for you. But I finished in the top 3 who were all very close. I wanted to come out of all of my tests saying that we had done our best and I came out of my Team Test saying that.

Day 3 Individual Test

I came out of my Individual test smiling and we were so delighted when my score came up and it was over 71%. It was a fantastic test and the score showed that. It was a waiting game as my score was the highest on the board but there was still one more score to go, so we had all our fingers and toes crossed. After what felt like hours rather than minutes it was confirmed I had won, the score to go up had gone into 4^th place.

My feelings/words straight after finding out I had won: “Lost for words. Over the moon. We only went and won the Individual Test with over 71%!! It’s a dream come true. I cannot thank my whole team enough and my super-duper horse Sky who I love so much and am so proud off! Our first ever international win”

Day 4 Freestyle Test

It felt strange going into a test as an international champion but also a pretty good feeling. Sky felt amazing whilst he was walking around the outside of the arena before the bell went. He loves his music and always rises to the occasion and dances. We were spot on with our music and then we went down the centre line for the last time and I’m not sure what happened but we finished a tiny bit early. I was kicking myself as wanted to be spot on last year I was late and this year I was early, so maybe next year I will be spot on! I was still really pleased with our performance. Due to the live stream my sister messaged me to say did you get 73+%? We had a look at the online score board and yes I had got over 73% but “oh my word everyone else had 70% so it meant I had won again”!! “I couldn’t believe it another win”!! This week couldn’t get any better, so proud of Sky and my team.

Hearing the national anthem play was fantastic and brought tears to my eyes! Hearing the words Mari Durward-Akhurst and Sky O’Hara first was also pretty special. I am now the top Grade 1 in GB which is an amazing feeling and one that I can hopefully hold onto.

Waking up as an International Champion the morning after was a wonderful feeling! Realising that all mine and my teams hard work has paid off and we have done it. It really is a dream come true and we are all on cloud 9 and will be for some time!!

I cannot thank everyone enough who has supported me and continues to; so that I can continue to live my dream. Dealing with a recent deterioration in my condition and trying to focus on competing at an International wasn’t an easy task! But I managed to do that; all I can do is stay positive and focus on my riding and staying in the saddle!

Write up about the event: https://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/show/3404-wells-leads-the-way-at-hartpury-cpedi

Report from Day 1 http://hartpuryfestivalofdressage.co.uk/para-riders-dazzle-at-the-first-day-of-the-festival-of-dressage/

Para riders dazzle at the first day of the Festival of …

hartpuryfestivalofdressage.co.uk

Hartpury’s Festival of Dressage got off to a winning start with some fantastic International Para Dressage on the first day of the festival (Wednesday 4 July).

Report from Day 2 http://hartpuryfestivalofdressage.co.uk/olympic-superstar-dujardin-shines-on-day-two-of-the-hartpury-festival-of-dressage/

Olympic superstar Dujardin shines on day two of the …

hartpuryfestivalofdressage.co.uk

Local Olympic legend Charlotte Dujardin stole the show on a scorching second day of the Hartpury Festival of Dressage (Thursday 5 July). Spectators crowded round to witness the top dressage rider in the Elite Stallions Young Horse Prix St Georges Qualifier.

Report from Day 3 http://hartpuryfestivalofdressage.co.uk/olympic-medallists-dujardin-hester-and-wilton-clean-up-in-the-hazlewoods-fei-cdi-grand-prix-on-day-three/

My trainer posted this on his facebook page: What can I say, the girl did it!!! The hugest of congratulations to client Mari Durward-Akhurst Para Dressage who today took home her first international win for Great Britain at the Hartpury CDI***, all that hard work that we have been putting into place over the last few weeks paid off today. You are an inspiration to many and today has just added to a great list of achievements over the last year. Who knows where the next 12months will take you!!! 🎉🎉🎉🏅🏅🏅🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧