Great Britain’s unbeaten Paralympic Games streak in the Para Dressage Team event will come under threat on Friday on the third day of competition at Château de Versailles.

GBR have taken the team gold in all seven previous Games since Para Equestrian joined the Paralympic programme at Atlanta in 1996. But their winning margin at Tokyo 2020 was only 0.656, scoring 229.905 overall with the Netherlands on 229.249.

The Dutch have enjoyed a strong opening two days in the Individual events at Paris 2024, with Rixt van der Horst taking silver on Royal Fonq in Grade III on Tuesday, while Wednesday had a distinctly oranje glow as Demi Haerkens – on her Paralympic debut - won Grade IV gold with Daula and Sanne Voets took silver on Demantur.

The United States have done even better with golds for Rebecca Hart on Floratina in Grade III and Fiona Howard on Diamond Dunes in Grade II, plus silver for Roxanne Trunnell on Fan Tastico H in Grade I.  

Great Britain, who have topped the Para Dressage medal count at all seven previous editions, have had to settle for three Individual bronzes so far in Versailles – Natasha Baker on Dawn Chorus in Grade III, Georgia Wilson with Sakura in Grade II and Sophie Wells on LJT Egebjerggards Samoa in Grade V.             

“In Tokyo it was very close with GB and now, USA is going to be a tough cookie as well,” said Netherlands team coach Joyce van Rooijen-Heuitink.

“The good thing about the team competition is that we don’t have a scratch result, which I like. It’s like the 4x100m relay in athletics – you can’t make a mistake. Everyone has to perform in the best possible way. If one has an off-day, we cannot compensate.

“That’s what makes it so exciting, because we don’t know. Maybe France is going to win gold. Or Singapore. Or Italy - they have a few riders who can get over 75 or 76 as well. So if one of my riders has an off-day, or USA or GB, anything can happen.”

Nevertheless, Van Rooijen-Heuitink has been heartened by the performance of her four “girls” - as she calls them - including 65-year-old Annemarieke Nobel, in her first Paralympic Games, finishing fourth on Doo Schufro in Grade I.

“I’ve seen very harmonious rides from all my riders,” she said. “I’m very proud of the quality of the riding. I know we have good horses and good riders, but under pressure, to still perform in the most harmonious way, that is what touches me and what I’m so proud of.”

Three athlete/horse combinations from 16 nations will compete for team honours, with the Para Grand Prix B tests starting with Grade IV (at 09:30) and V (11:10), followed by Grades I (12:52), II (14:50) and III (16:03).

The Netherlands, with Voets and Haerkens both in Grade IV and going off at 10:15 and 10:51 respectively, have the opportunity to set a challenging target. Wells is the first Briton to go in Grade V at 12:13, while USA’s first athlete Trunnell starts at 13:10 in Grade I.

All three of the medal favourites have a contender in the concluding Grade III, with Baker going for GBR at 16:03, Van der Horst for the Dutch at 16:39 and Hart for the USA at 16:48. The final combination to go will be Singapore’s Hui’en Hilary Su with Gambler, at 17:33.

Van Rooijen-Heuitink believes her athletes will embrace the particular pressure of the team event with the right mindset.

“I have riders who can keep their focus,” she added. “You can send them out in the field and say, ‘go out and play’. Of course, everyone feels the pressure of having to perform, whether it is for the nation, or not being able to make a mistake.

“No-one rides in there thinking it is just another day at the office. That wouldn’t be good, because then you don’t ride to win. If you want to win, you’ve got to perform and you’ve got to take some risks.”

Nations competing in team event: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, Sweden, USA.

Image: FEI/ Liz Gregg

Nestled in a valley in the forests of the Bükk Mountains, the State Stud Farm and competition centre dominate the centre of Szilvásvárad with a towering stadium. The two large sand arenas, adjacent to where the Lipizzaners are stabled, are the warmup and dressage arenas where yesterday afternoon the horses were gently exercised as pairs and teams ahead of the FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand which starts today with day one of dressage. 

The morning sun was already hot when the driving horses walked down the hill in single file from the stabling to the two inspection lanes.  Already crowds were watching the activity along one side of the arena, trying to find spots of shade, and soon it was a hive of activity as each athlete trotted up their five horses.  Only two of the 205 horses presented were held for a reinspection and one, from the Romanian squad, was not passed.

After the obligatory hour’s wait at the end of the inspection, the Chefs d’Equipe confirmed their national teams.  For some it was predetermined as they only have two or three combinations but for others, such as Germany and Hungary who have larger squads, there was anticipation ahead of the announcements. 
Teams to Challenge Dutch Dominance

The Dutch team of Ijsbrand and Bram Chardon, and Koos de Ronde, has not changed in recent years and they remain the ones to beat.  But they will be pushed by the strong German team of Michael Brauchle, Mareike Harm and Georg von Stein. With the support of the home crowd and the weight of history and expectation, the hosts have selected József Dobrovitz Snr and Jnr, and the last Hungarian to win an individual Four-in-Hand gold medal, Zoltán Lázár.  One of the Austrian athletes has withdrawn so now ten nations will contest for the team medals.

By early afternoon, Chefs and officials had gathered for the draw to determine the dressage running order.  Team places were allocated first then in draw order, each Chef filled the blank slots with their remaining individuals.  As host nation, Hungary has entered nine combinations and two of their squad, Simon Sándor Tόth and Péter Juhász, will be the opening competitors on Thursday morning. Former champion, Lászlό Juhász, will be the first to enter the dressage arena as the test driver.

Family Orientated Opening Ceremony

As the evening air cooled, the stadium seats filled with the public for the official opening of the event.  Two teams of horses from the stud took former Hungarian champions round the arena then each nation paraded their squads which included generations of families.  The Hungarian minister of defence opened the speeches, joined by Vilmos Lázár, President of the Hungarian Equestrian Federation which has its centenary this year. To close, there was a display of ridden Lipizzaners and vaulting teams.

There is a festive feel in and around Szilvásvárad as Hungary hopes to make history again at this iconic venue which last played host to the FEI Driving Four-in-Hand World Championship forty years ago.  

Image by FEI/ Martin Dokoupil

Demi Haerkens (NED) confirmed her status as a rising star of Para Dressage as she claimed Grade IV gold with Daula on her Paralympic Games debut on the second day of Individual medal events at Château de Versailles.

The 26-year-old, who came to the fore by winning European Championship gold last year, excelled in the sunlit arena to finish with a score of 78.722%.

Defending champion Sanne Voets (NED), partnering Demantur again after they won double gold and team silver at Tokyo 2020, had to settle for silver with 76.528%, taking Voets’ overall Paralympic medal tally to five.

The one-two lifted Netherlands into second place on the Para Dressage medal table at Paris 2024 with a gold and two silvers, behind USA on two golds and a silver.

“It feels amazing,” said Haerkens after waiting for 11 other combinations to go before her gold medal was confirmed. “She (Daula) really deserved this gold. My horse was a superstar today. We have been together three years now and every year our bond grows.

"It was such a lovely ride. She was so focused, with such lovely quality and softness. We didn’t make any mistakes. She was with me and dancing with a lot of quality. She was amazing. Now I want to go to the stable and give her big cuddles"

 Demi Haerkens
(NED)

Voets, 37, said a tour of the royal stables at Château de Versailles last year had resonated with her as she prepared for a fourth Paralympic Games.

“They showed me a lot, and how they still work with horses every day, with such a beautiful motto,” she said.

“They work with the belief that our horses don't owe us anything, that the horses are not an instrument for us to reach our goals and reach our ambitions, but that we are an instrument for our horse to develop them into beautiful, strong, healthy, happy athletes.” 

Anna-Lena Niehues (GER), who took time off in 2023 to give birth to daughter Nelly, took bronze on Quimbaya 6 with 75.222%, edging Frenchman Vladimir Vinchon on Pegase Mayenne into fourth on 72.889%.

World number one Kate Shoemaker (USA) finished out of the medals in fifth after her horse Vianne spooked during their performance.  

“It is the first spook she has ever had with me,” she said. “Something must have caught her eye. It was just an unfortunate moment. But horses are horses, and if we wanted to ride motorcycles, we would ride motorcycles. 

“Regardless, I love her more than anything in the world and she is certainly forgiven because there are going to be a lot of beautiful days in future.”

Joy of six for George in Grade V

Michèle George (BEL) showed her enduring class as she won her sixth Paralympic gold medal, defending her Grade V Individual title on Best of 8. 

The 50-year-old, who won double individual gold at Tokyo 2020, finished well clear with a superb score of 76.692% to take her overall Paralympic medal tally to seven.

"I’m incredibly happy. She (Best of 8) was amazing. For me, it felt like a gold medal because I had nearly no mistakes and she was really dancing with me. I enjoyed every second of it. It means a lot."

Michèle George
(BEL)

George will aim to repeat her Tokyo feat of winning both Individual Grade V golds in Saturday’s Individual Freestyle event. “I really look forward to showing people how she can dance with our music, because she adores it,” she added.
Regine Mispelkamp (GER), partnering Highlander Delight’s, added a silver medal to her individual Freestyle bronze from Tokyo, scoring 73.231%.  

The 53-year-old, who coaches athletes and trains horses for Dressage at her own stables near Kerken (GER), hopes to continue for possibly two more Paralympic cycles. 

“I have two young horses who are coming on, so I am thinking about 2028 and maybe 2032,” she said. “It is the best thing I do and when I do it, I am not thinking about my illness.”

Sophie Wells (GBR), partnering LJT Egebjerggards Samoa after her original horse Don Cara M was ruled out, won her ninth Paralympic medal by taking bronze – Great Britain’s third of these Games - with 72.257%, adding to her previous four golds and four silvers.

“It’s not ideal,” she said of her late change in horses. “But she was so brave going into that arena. She got a little bit nervous, but she is eight years old. I held her hand through the whole test. She listened to me and I couldn’t be prouder of her for that.”

After a rest day on Thursday, Para Dressage resumes at Versailles on Friday with the team event, with three athlete/horse combinations from each nation joining forces in a bid for a place on the podium.

Great Britain have won all seven team golds since 1996, but will face strong competition from the likes of USA and Netherlands if they are to maintain that sequence.

The final set of Individual medals will be decided on Saturday, 7 September, as the top eight from the Individual tests in each of the five Grades compete in the Freestyle events.

FULL RESULTS - GRADE IV

FULL RESULTS - GRADE V

Image: FEI/ Liz Gregg

Haras de la Majorie has been thrust into the global spotlight thanks to the achievements of their gelding, Darco la Majorie (by Baltik des Ors), who won individual gold at the FEI Endurance World Championship in Butheeb (2022).

Among the final entries of the 2024 FEI Endurance World Endurance Championship in Monpazier (FRA) are two horses bred by Haras de la Majorie. With over 100 Arabians grazing in their lush pastures, the French stable attracts numerous potential buyers However, as Camille Manoha explains, "We will never let commercial opportunities take precedence over the horse's health." The young entrepreneur shares how she and her sister Clémentine prioritise equine welfare above all else.

Haras de la Majorie, located in Saint-Alban-d'Ay between Lyon and Valence (France), was founded over twenty years ago by Christian and Pascale Manoha. As they step back due to age, their daughters, Clémentine and Camille, are taking over the breeding operations, with the family’s values and standards remaining firmly in place. "If you own horses, you must take responsibility for them", Camille asserts with conviction. She takes the time on a Tuesday evening to give this interview, while Clémentine, as stable CEO and trainer, is still working with the horses until late.

Back to basics

Having been involved with horses her entire life, Camille has witnessed the evolution of various equestrian disciplines. When asked about changes in Endurance riding, one of which being a market demand for larger horses, she notes, “Of course, we explore how we can meet customer needs, but if we see that it doesn't work, we return to our roots. For example, we experimented with crossing Arabians with Thoroughbreds, which tend to be larger. However, the Anglo-Arabians produced from these crosses tend to be more complex horses to deal with than purebred Arabians. Additionally, their size and longer legs make them less sturdy. Smaller horses perform just as well as larger ones. Their compact build is an advantage. And as for speed, we can achieve that by crossing with Arabians bred for the racetrack, like Tidjani."

Stepping out of the shadows

The Manoha family takes pride in the recent successes of the eleven-year-old purebred Arabian, Darco la Majorie. He became world champion under Hh Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022 in Butheeb (UAE), won the 160 km (CEI3*) Monpazier test event in 2023, and has multiple top-three finishes at CEI2* and CEI3* levels.

This year, Hh Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa will saddle Darco's half-brother, Everest la Majorie. This ten-year-old gelding finished second at last year’s test event, just 25 seconds behind Darco. "We believed in Everest from the beginning" says Camille. "He was seen as ‘the little brother’, but he has similar qualities. For example, he excels both on flat sand and in technical, hilly terrains (2nd in Monpazier in 2023). We expect him to step out of the shadows this year," Camille shares. 

Bahrain's Hamad Isa Abdulla Yusuf Al Janahi will also be heading to the World Championship in Monpazier with a 'La Majorie' horse: the eleven-year-old mare Deesela Majorie, who shares the same sire, Baltik des Ors, as Darco and Everest.

Training 'normal horses' into 'cracks'

The Manohas are proud of these ‘cracks' as they call the top horses. However, Camille emphasises that champions aren’t necessarily born that way. In other words, proper training is essential. "We have around ten foals born each year. Usually, one of them is a natural-born champion. You can see it right away—they have a strong mind, are fighters, and often take the lead in the herd. 

We handle the training of our young horses ourselves. But in the recent past we’ve enjoyed collaborating with rider Jean Philip Frances (6th at the FEI Endurance European Championship 2021 in Ermelo, Netherlands). He excels at training 'normal looking horses' into 'champions'. He’s meticulous and ensures that every detail is right—from the saddle to the hooves to the bit. He experiments with new approaches; he’s innovative. His method aligns with ours because he’s willing to explore what works best for each horse."

Outdoor living shouldn’t be about survival

"In addition to proper training, care and attention to their mental well-being are crucial", Camille emphasises. "From a young age, our horses graze on our 200-hectare pasture with long, green grass. The young horses can eat, play, and gallop as much as they want, allowing them to develop well. We are very strict about deworming and managing their hoof health with the help of a farrier. Of course, they also see the dentist and, when needed, the vet. We spare no expense. Even if an accident or something else means a horse will never be a sport horse, it still receives full veterinary care. We love our horses and want to give them a good life." 

Although the Manoha family believes that horses should live outdoors in freedom, their yearlings are brought into large group stables on winter nights. "Outdoor living keeps horses strong, healthy, fit, and happy. But if living outside becomes about survival, we'd rather have them in the stable at night. That way, they can focus all their energy on growth and development." 

Breaking in begins at five years old, at Haras de la Majorie. Camille explains, "Afterward, they can participate in a 20 km event and a 40 km event. They do this in a group, with their friends. Then, they go back to the pasture to process emotionally and physically what they’ve learned. Only after the summer do we prepare them for a 60 km distance. This is all done at a calm pace, even in training". 

At this week's FEI Endurance World Championship, the Manohas are looking forward to seeing the participants listening well to their horses: "The bond between horse and human is what I love most about this sport. Of all the equestrian disciplines, Endurance riders spend the most time in the saddle . If you can learn to listen to your horse, you can achieve great things together. For example, if your horse wants a break after a long gallop or a tough climb, ease up. They have such remarkable recovery abilities that they can be fully refreshed after a short rest. If you listen to your horse and give them a moment of rest, you can win."

The FEI has announced an adverse analytical finding (AAF) involving an equine prohibited substance. The case involves a *Banned Substance under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs).

The athlete has been provisionally suspended from the date of notification, until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision. The horse has also been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification.

The athlete and horse competed at the Paris Olympic Games in Eventing. An adverse analytical finding (AAF) from one team member during the Olympic Games, will lead to the disqualification of the whole team. Hence, team Belgium will be disqualified from the Eventing team competition of the Paris Olympic Games.

Case 2024/BS05:

Horse: DIA VAN HET LICHTERVELD Z/106WJ63/BEL
Person Responsible: Tine MAGNUS/10045338/BEL
Event: Olympic Games-C - Paris (FRA), 27-29.07.2024
Prohibited Substance(s): Trazodone
Date of notification: 3 September 2024

The full table of suspensions can be found here.

FEI Tribunal issues Settlement Agreement in equine anti-doping case
The FEI Tribunal has also issued a Settlement Agreement in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Faroon (FEI ID 107WT96/BRN), ridden by Jalam Singh Inder Singh (FEI ID 10182994/UAE), and trained by Alhareth Mohamed Jaafar Abdulrahim (FEI ID 10063210/BRN), tested positive for the Banned Substance Strychnine following samples taken at the CEI1*100 Butheeb (UAE) 10-11 November 2023.

The athlete and trainer were able to establish, on a balance of probabilities, that the source of the Prohibited Substance arose from a supplement given to the horse which had been contaminated with Strychnine.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the terms of the settlement, according to which the athlete and trainer bear no fault or negligence for the Rule Violation. The applicable ineligibility period for each shall be one year, stating from the date of the decision, with the Provisional Suspension already served credited against the ineligibility period. Both athlete and trainer were also asked to each pay costs of CHF 4,000 and the results obtained at the event are disqualified.

The full Decision in the case of Jalam Singh Inder Singh is available here. 

The full Decision in the case of Alhareth Mohamed Jaafar Abdulrahim is available here.

Notes to Editors:
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances
The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are medications that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.

Team USA enjoyed a superb opening day of Para Dressage action at Paris 2024 with two golds and a silver in the first three Individual medal events at Château de Versailles.

Rebecca Hart on Floratina (Grade III) and Fiona Howard, partnering Diamond Dunes (Grade II), both struck gold before Roxanne Trunnell, double gold medallist from Tokyo 2020, took silver on Fan Tastico H in Grade I behind Rihards Snikus (LAT) and King Of the Dance.

The trio of medals already makes Paris 2024 Team USA’s most successful Paralympic Games in Para Dressage, after just three of the 11 events across four days of competition.

They surpassed the two golds and a bronze won at Atlanta 1996 and at Tokyo 2020, where Trunnell – on Dolton - won the USA’s first two individual golds for 24 years and also won team bronze alongside Hart on El Corona Texel, and Kate Shoemaker with Solitaer 40.

Hart strikes gold at fifth attempt

Hart, 39, kick-started the gold rush by winning her first individual medal at her fifth Paralympic Games on Floratina, having previously finished fourth in Beijing and fifth at London 2012.

“It's been 25 years of trying to get to this point and being close many, many times,” she said. “To actually get it, I feel like I'm going to wake up at any moment. It's just surreal. It feels like a dream.

 

"This is my first gold ever. We've worked so hard as a country with my fellow athletes to really develop our programme and step up our game. Four years later, here we are"

Rebecca Hart
(USA)

“It's a huge venue and the entire atmosphere was phenomenal. I was just trying to stay with her and focused, because it felt so easy. I just needed to stay on my game and get the test done.” 

Hart and Floratina were the penultimate combination to enter the arena in the morning rain and they claimed the win with a score of 77.900%.

Rixt van der Horst (NED) took silver with 76.433% - her sixth Paralympic medal overall at her third Games - on new horse Royal Fonq, her partner since December.

“He’s really special,” she said. “He has such a kind and honest character. His quality is amazing. I think we click really well and have developed a really special bond in the short time we have had together.”

Natasha Baker (GBR), in her first Paralympic Games since becoming a mother last year, took bronze – her ninth Paralympic medal after six golds and two silvers - on Dawn Chorus with 73.167%.

“I had 20 months out of competition when I had Joshua, and a year out of the saddle,” said the 34-year-old. “That's the longest I've ever had out of the saddle. I'm just super, super happy with her.”

Diamond Dunes is forever gold for Howard

Howard, 25, maintained the USA momentum as she took Grade II gold on Diamond Dunes in her debut Paralympic Games with a superb performance to finish on 76.931%.

“We haven’t been a partnership for that long – only since March when we did our first competition,” she said. “I just trusted him and he gave me everything in there. I am so proud of him. He’s never let me down.”

Katrine Kristensen (DEN), who also became a first-time mother last year after winning double gold at the FEI World Championship in 2022, took silver on Goerklintgaards Quater with a score of 73.966%.

 

"I was crying a lot because this is so huge. After becoming a mom, I have worked very hard to gain my physical strength again and to balance being a mom and training at this level. But I succeeded."

Katrine Kristensen
(DEN)

“I have never ridden in such a beautiful arena as this before, with all the audience. I promised myself when I finished to just look up and enjoy it and I did.”

Georgia Wilson (GBR), on Sakura, added another Paralympic individual bronze to her collection after two at Tokyo 2020, scoring 73.414%, with 69-year-old Heidemarie Dresing (GER), the oldest athlete in Versailles, edged into fourth place on Dooloop.

‘No limits’ for DJ Snikus

The final event of the opening day saw an emotional triumph for Rihards Snikus (LAT) in his fourth Paralympic Games, going one better than Tokyo 2020 to take gold in Grade I. The 36-year-old, who won silver in both the Individual and Freestyle events in Tokyo, turned in a brilliant display partnering King of the Dance to triumph with a score of 79.167%.

“It was a really beautiful performance, we enjoyed watching it,” said Latvia’s chef d’equipe Darja Tikhomirova, speaking on behalf of Snikus, who is also the reigning Grade I world champion and an active DJ in his spare time.

"I think it was one of Rihards’ best ever performances. After Tokyo, we came home and said, ‘okay, next time let’s get gold’."

Darja Tikhomirova 
Chef d'Equipe (LAT)

“It's great for para sports in general in Latvia because people can see it's not only classic sports we know, like athletics or cycling. Equestrian is also a sport for people with disability, where they can improve how strong they are, how perfect they can ride, how wonderful technically they can be.  It's always great to show that you have no limit.”

Trunnell (USA), the double individual gold medallist from Tokyo, had to settle for silver on Fan Tastico H after finishing on 78.000%.

She paid tribute to the influence on US fortunes of Michel Assouline, who spent 12 years as head coach of Great Britain’s para equestrian team before joining Team USA in 2017 as head of para equestrian coach development and high performance consultant.

"He is really good,” Trunnell said. “He got us all straightened up, training harder, with better horses. We have evolved our training and been working so hard. It's nice to see it pay off." 

Sara Morganti (ITA), on Mariebelle, collected her third Paralympic Games bronze medal – after two in Tokyo partnering Royal Delight - on a score of 74.625%.

FULL RESULTS

Established stars will seek to hold off the challenge of emerging athletes as Para Dressage makes its entrance to Paris 2024 at the spectacular Château de Versailles.   A total of 76 athletes from 30 nations will assemble for four days of competition spread across five days from Tuesday, 3 September to Saturday, 7 September.   The first two days will be Individual Medal Events in all five Grades.   Grade III will open proceedings on Tuesday, and will also be the last of the five Individual Freestyle Events – featuring the top eight combinations - on the final day of action.   But Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen will be unable to defend the two Individual titles he won on his Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020, withdrawing on Sunday after his horse Jolene Hill was deemed not fit to compete.   The 24-year-old was widely seen as the favourite in Grade III after also striking double gold at the FEI World Championship 2022 on home ground in Herning – plus silver in the team event – and two more individual golds at last year’s FEI Para Dressage European Championship in Riesenbeck (GER).   All horses that were presented on Monday’s First Horse Inspection passed.    Great Britain’s Natasha Baker, the most successful of all the Para Dressage athletes in Paris, with four individual golds, two team golds, and two individual silvers – both at Tokyo 2020 – will be seeking a return to the top of the Grade III podium.   The 34-year-old returns on Dawn Chorus for her fourth Paralympic Games but her first as a mother, having given birth to son Joshua in April 2023.   "It makes me incredibly proud. To be at the top of my sport again is such an incredible feeling, especially with Joshua as my number one supporter. I’m really excited for the new challenge and to see what we can achieve in Paris."   Natasha Baker (GBR)   The opening day will also see medals decided in the Grade II individual test, where the likes of Austria’s Pepo Puch – with seven Paralympic medals including two silvers in Tokyo 2020 – on Sailor’s Blue and Britain’s Georgia Wilson – double bronze medallist in the Grade II Individual and Freestyle in Tokyo 2020 – on Sakura will go for gold in the absence of 14-time Paralympic champion Lee Pearson (GBR).   But they will face competition from another great Dane, Katrine Kristensen, a double World Champion in 2022, and 69-year-old German Heidemarie Dresing, who after two fourth-place finishes in the Grade II individual events on her Games debut aged 66 in Tokyo, won double gold at the European Championships in Riesenbeck in 2023.   Dresing, riding Dooloop, will be the oldest para equestrian competitor in Versailles.   At the other end of the age scale, Frenchwoman Chiara Zenati, one of three 21-year-old para equestrians competing at Paris 2024, will carry home hopes of a medal on Swing Royal in Grade III, after finishing fifth on her Paralympic Games debut as an 18-year-old in Tokyo.   "The fact that the Games are in France puts higher pressure on me than if they were somewhere else. My biggest dream for Paris will be to win a medal."   Chiara Zenati (FRA)   Another 21-year-old, Italian Carola Semperboni, will partner the oldest horse competing at these Games – 21-year-old Paul – in the Grade I events, where Roxanne Trunnell of the United States will seek to defend the first of her two individual titles from Tokyo on day one.   Since Tokyo, the 39-year-old has retired her golden mount Dalton and teamed up with another black gelding, Fan Tastico H.   Trunnell will face competition from Latvia’s Rihards Snikus on King of the Dance, a combination which took double silver in Tokyo, and Italy’s Sara Morganti, who won double bronze in 2021 on Royal Delight but now partners Mariebelle after winning World Championship Freestyle gold in 2022.   Another one to watch in Grade I, the category for athletes with the greatest impairment and ridden in walk only, is Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst. The 30-year-old, currently ranked world number one, will be making her Paralympic Games debut riding Athene Lindebjerg, the black mare who won gold with eight-time Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen (GBR) at Rio 2016.   Norway’s Jens Lasse Dokkan, meanwhile, will continue his remarkable record of competing at every edition of the Paralympic Games since Para Dressage was introduced to the programme in 1996.   The 63-year-old, who won his first Paralympic Games medal at Sydney 2000 and has five overall, will compete – on Aladdin - in his seventh Games after finishing fourth in both individual Grade I events in Tokyo. The second day of competition will see the individual test medals decided in Grades IV and V, which will be ridden in walk, trot and canter. These are the two Grades in which the athletes have the lowest level of impairment.   Dutchwoman Sanne Voets, on Demantur, will be seeking a fifth Paralympic medal – a haul including double individual gold and team silver from 2020 – in Grade IV, with fellow Tokyo medallists, 64-year-old Swede Louise Etzner Jakobsson on Goldstrike B.J. and Belgian Manon Claeys, now riding Katharina Sollenburg, likely to be contending again.   Another Paralympic Games debutant, 26-year-old Dutch athlete Demi Haerkens on Daula, announced herself by winning European Championship gold last year.   Grade V could see another battle between 50-year-old Belgian Michèle George, whose two Individual golds on Best of 8 in Tokyo took her Paralympic medal tally to five golds and one silver, and Great Britain’s Sophie Wells, a four-time Paralympic champion with eight medals overall. Wells returns for her fourth Games and will now partner LJT Egebjerggards Samoa in Paris, after a minor veterinary issue ruled out her original horse Don Cara M.   Brazil’s Rodolpho Riskalla on Denzel, a silver medallist from Tokyo, and German Regine Mispelkamp on Highlander Delight’s, who won Freestyle bronze at the same Paralympic Games, are others likely to be in contention.   After a rest day on Thursday, 5 September, the team event – where Great Britain will target an eighth consecutive gold medal since 1996 – is scheduled for Friday, 6 September, with three athlete/horse combinations from each nation joining forces in a bid for a place on the podium.   The final set of medals will be up for grabs on 7 September in the Individual Freestyle Events in each of the five Grades in what is expected to be a dramatic conclusion to the Para Dressage in Versailles.

A total of 145 athletes and 155 horses are currently preparing for the journey to Monpazier in the south of France for the FEI Endurance World Championship 2024.

Set in natural surroundings on the border of the Lot and Dordogne, the combinations will begin the 160-kilometre Endurance ride on Saturday, 7 September 2024. It's an interesting mix of participants: from the reigning world champion—on a new horse—to young and veteran talent.

As is customary at the FEI Endurance World Championship, all eyes are on the three individual winners from the previous edition, as well as the three national teams that reached the podium last time.

Mediterranean countries aim to defend their positions

For the team medals, it's up to the Mediterranean countries—France, Portugal, and Italy—to defend their positions. In Butheeb, they claimed the gold, silver, and bronze, respectively. Notably, all three nations have registered seven combinations, giving the chefs d’equipe in Monpazier the option to finalise their teams of five combinations each, right up until the day before the competition.  

France's selection includes three riders who were part of last year's medal-winning team: Virginie Atger, Clementine Chaud, and Philippe Tomas. Additionally, France's vast pool of Endurance riders has provided new talent for the national team, including Camille Garbet , Melody Theolissat and Julien Lafaure

Portugal's selection features the experienced rider Ana Barbas, who has already won team silver (FEI Endurance World Championship in Butheeb, 2022) and team bronze (FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, 2006). That team performance in Aachen was partly due to Jao Raposo, who is also in the selection for Monpazier.

Italy has selected three riders who also competed in Butheeb, where they won bronze: Letizia Milani, Carolina Tavassoli Asli, and Costanza Laliscia. The latter brings two possible contenders to Monpazier: Fara du Barthas and Emirat du Barthas. 

New horse for reigning World Champion  

The reigning World Champion, Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Bahrain), has opted for a horse swap just before Monpazier. Instead of Darco la Majorie, with whom he won both the 2022 World Championship in Butheeb and the test event in Monpazier (2023), he plans to saddle Darco’s half-brother, Everest la Majorie. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has demonstrated in the past that he can triumph with multiple horses: in his ten previous World Championship appearances, he has won one individual gold (2022, Butheeb), one individual bronze (2016, Samorin), and one team bronze (2008, Malaysia). Each time with a different horse.

The runner-up from the last World Championship is Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi (United Arab Emirates). He has only ridden in two World Championships before. On both occasions, he secured a podium finish: gold in Pisa (2021  ) and silver in Butheeb (2022). Both times with the horse Haleh, who is once again ready for Monpazier.

Should Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi and Haleh secure another podium finish, they will join the elite group of combinations in history that have won an individual medal in three consecutive championships. Only Becky Hart and Valerie Kanavy have ever achieved this. Hart, together with her horse Grand Sultan, claimed the world title three years in a row (1988, 1990, and 1992). Kanavy was World Champion in 1994, runner-up in 1996, and World Champion again in 1998.

Jaume Punti Dachs, the Spaniard who has so far won five medals across seven World Championships (individual gold and silver, and three team golds), is bringing his trusted partner Echo Falls. The horse is not only known for his achievements and striking appearance (a white coat with dark spots), but at eighteen years old, he is also one of the oldest horses competing at the highest level. However, he is not the oldest in this championship; there are two others of the same age. Spirit de Crouz and Sabah du Courtisot, representing Portugal and Belgium respectively, are also registered.

Oldest and youngest participants

That equestrian sport can be practised well into later life is exemplified by Tom MacGuinness. The 73-year-old Irishman is competing in the FEI Endurance World Championship for the fifth time. His first time was ten years ago, at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Caen. In Monpazier, he will start with his thirteen-year-old mare Horseware HLM Fontana. 

The youngest entrant is sixteen-year-old Jiahe Sui, who will represent China on the back of the French-bred Eiwa de Bozouls. This is Sui’s first time being selected for a World Championship. The young athlete has no fewer than six teammates by her side, bringing the total number of entries from the Chinese federation to seven. The chef d’equipe will have to make a choice, as each country can field a maximum of five combinations at the start.  

China is on the rise in the sport of Endurance. After fielding a team for the first time in history at the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022 in Butheeb (UAE), they now have another team ready. The four combinations that competed   were then unable to complete the ride. With seven contenders, China has new opportunities in France.

To compete for a team result, a country needs three combinations to finish the distance within the allowed time. On the list of final entries, 21 countries have three or more combinations heading to Monpazier. Additionally, 18 countries were able to field one or two combinations.

For the full list of Definite Entries, click HERE 

With just days to go until the start of the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, Ermelo in the Netherlands has been announced as the host of the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2025, following a decision by the FEI Board, and endorsement by the FEI Para Equestrian Technical Committee and the European Equestrian Federation (EEF).

The Championship, which is scheduled to take place from 3 to 7 September 2025, builds on Ermelo’s proven track record in hosting major equestrian events at the Dutch National Equestrian Centre, including the FEI Dressage European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in 2009 and national Dressage Championships. More recently, Ermelo hosted the FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Riders & Juniors in 2021 and the FEI Endurance European Championship in 2023. The venue has also been the host of the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses for several years.

“We are delighted that the National Federation of the Netherlands has committed to hosting the Para Dressage European Championship,” said FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez, who is also President of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations (APSO).

“This will be the first time the FEI Para Dressage European Championship is hosted in Ermelo, representing a major milestone for our sport. We are looking forward to working closely with the organisers to deliver an exceptional sporting experience and know that the Dutch National Equestrian Centre’s world-class facilities will provide the perfect environment for this prestigious event.

“It was also important for the FEI to partner with a host who shares our vision of breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities in society. The FEI is committed to working together to ensure the Championship fully embraces accessibility, allowing everyone, regardless of their disability, to engage in all aspects of the event.”

Based on the learnings and good practices of the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN) and Pratoni (ITA) in 2022, the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck in 2023, were the first to be organised in line with the requirements set out in the FEI Accessibility Handbook for Event Organisers.

This handbook, which is the result of consultation and collaboration with accessibility experts, individuals with disabilities and professionals in the equestrian industry, covers venue layout, accommodation and transportation among other areas of Event planning and delivery.

‘’We are delighted that the FEI has put its trust in us to host the best para and equine athletes in Europe at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2025,’’ said Iris Boelhouwer, Secretary General of the Dutch Federation.

“In Ermelo, we will provide the requisite elite facilities for an elite competition, and strive to foster the values of teamwork, cooperation, fairness and respect that define such an event.

“With just over a year to go, in everything we do in preparing for this prestigious event we are committed to the highest standards of equine welfare, accessibility and sustainability for our human and equine athletes, staff, spectators and surrounding environment. We look forward to warmly welcoming them all to Ermelo.’’

The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to oversee and regulate global para sport alongside its able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage was integrated in 2006. This followed the creation of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee, which was established when the governance of Para Equestrian sport transitioned from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to the FEI.

Since then, Para Equestrian sport has been increasingly integrated into the FEI’s governance and into its European and World Championship structures, significantly raising the profile of Para Sport within the equestrian community.

These top-down initiatives have not only advanced the development of Para Equestrian sport within the FEI but have also contributed to more positive attitudes towards disability and inclusion within the equestrian world as a whole.

Image: The Dutch National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo (NED). KNHS/ Arnd Bronkhorst 

The FEI will host a key meeting with stakeholders on 1 October 2024, to kick off in-depth discussions on addressing the challenges currently impacting the discipline of Dressage.

This meeting, which will bring together representatives from national federations, recognised stakeholder groups — including athletes, officials, organisers, trainers, and veterinary experts — marks the beginning of a broader strategy to develop a comprehensive long-term strategy for Dressage, to ensure the sustainability and growth of the discipline.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity to update the community on current and upcoming research and development initiatives, including the oral cavity study.

“While the FEI fully recognises the challenges currently facing the discipline of Dressage and has worked to address issues as they have arisen, the primary focus in recent months has been on delivering key events, as well as a successful Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, which has required considerable attention and resources,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.  

“Our goal now is to collaborate closely with all our stakeholders to address the challenges facing Dressage. While many in our community recognise the urgency of the situation, others may not yet fully grasp the critical juncture at which equestrian sport currently stands.

“While the FEI is committed to seeking collective solutions and fostering consensus wherever possible, the safety and well-being of our horses remain our top priority. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that Dressage is a discipline where the sport is conducted in a manner that focuses on the horse’s comfort.

“As the governing body, the FEI is prepared to take the necessary decisions to ensure that we are living up to our promise to ‘Be a Guardian’ for our equine partners, and to improve the standards of safety and care in our sport. We have shown in recent months that the FEI is ready to step in and take decisive action when the need arises.

“As the sport evolves, we must adapt and find effective solutions to current challenges. Our success depends on the community’s willingness to approach these issues with an open mind and work together toward common ground.”

The FEI introduced the Be a Guardian initiative in July, which calls upon members of the community to fully commit to their duties as ‘guardians’ of FEI horses.

Be a Guardian is the central message that unites the community around the FEI Action Plan that was developed from the recommendations outlined in the final report of the independent Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission.

The term 'guardian' marks an evolution in the FEI's narrative of the horse-human partnership, chosen to better represent the human role in caring for horses and to underscore each individual's responsibility for ensuring horse welfare.

Key links

• Be a Guardian: A fundamental reframing of equestrian care
• FEI Action Plan: https://www.fei.org/guardians/action-plan/
• Watch! Horse welfare is paramount: Be a Guardian