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Mari’s Winning Streak Continues…

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With apologies to Mari and all for the delay in getting recent posts published. On a personal note, I’ve just completed a BA (Hons) in Fine Art followed by the opportunity to stage our Degree Show in London and it has proved to be a very rewarding but equally time-consuming exercise. However, normal service is now resumed and what a perfect post to be able to resume it with…

 
Those of you who have been reading about DBF Ambassador and Para Dressage Rider Mari’s journey will know that she has had to call on reserves of courage and determination recently to cope with some changes in the physical effects of her condition, making her latest achievements even more extraordinary. We congratulate this inspirational and very talented young rider as she climbs ever closer to her dream of representing Team GB at the 2020 Olympics. We have no doubt that with her guts and talent and her 2 fantastic equine teammates, Sky and Bear, she’ll get there…
 
Read on for Mari’s report written on the 7th June following her success at the British Dressage PL & Para Gold SF Premier League held in Wellington. 
 
 
The last two days have been incredible.
 
Sky won the Team Test on the first day with 71%+ and then went on to win the individual with 72%+ and Bear finished behind him in 2nd with 70%+.
 
I could not have achieved what I have these last two days without the wonderful support team I have around me!! So thank you to every single person that supports me 😀

Thank you so much to Rob Waine for being an amazing trainer and riding both boys beautifully today and Sky yesterday. Mum and dad for being super parents and Katie Rummery for being fantastic and helping to keep the boys separate! We could not have done it without her support. My family for there continued support and my sister Sian for the messages of good luck etc.

Emma for letting me borrow her lorry and finally Heather for coming to watch and Susan and her family; it was great to have a fan club around us today. Thank you to all my amazing sponsors and supporters sorry I cannot tag you all!!

Thank you to our amazing class sponsor Equissage UK and everyone at Wellington for hosting the Para classes.

Sky is the champion!! Sky was a diamond and did two super tests and the pilot even manged to find the centre line in today’s test and got a 9!! We got over 72% today with the C judge giving us 74%. We were told what a harmonious partnership we have and what a super walk Sky has!! Very exciting our marks are consistent and are on the rise the pilot just needs to keep working on her accuracy!!

Bear was such a super star and took everything in his big stride. I’m delighted to say he hit the 70% and came 2nd behind his brother!! Such an improvement from last year and everything is going in the right direction; so exciting!! Love my BFG.

I am so proud of my boys and it is a wonderful feeling saying I came 1st and 2nd!! They have both also qualified for the Gold Nationals at Stoneleigh in September!!

Next up is Hartpury CPEDI3* International with Sky (final selection trials for the Europeans) at the beginning of July. So lots of hard work between now and then especially for the rider to improve her accuracy and then our marks will be even higher! First an easy week for us all after an incredible two days I am not quite sure yet what I have just achieved has sunken in yet!!!!

Mari

Huge congratulations to Mari, Sky and Bear and please keep checking in to see results from Hartpury CPEDI3* International…

To find out more from Mari, please visit her Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MariDurwardAkhurstParaDressage/