The Adequan® U.S. Para Dressage Team came through again to win the championship at the CHI Al Shaqab CPEDI3* in Qatar this weekend. The para riders were the only American team at last year’s world championships in Herning, Denmark, to come away with medals.
Guided by Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline, the team of Beatrice de Lavalette and Sixth Sense, Fiona Howard and Jagger and Kate Shoemaker and Quiana delivered several personal-best scores.
Kate Shoemaker and Quiana. (Photo © CHI Al Shaqab)
“It was actually phenomenal, not only to have high scores but also they were consistent throughout the three days. They increased their scores each day, which was amazing,” Michel said.
“I’m happy with the horses’ performance as well. They are becoming more consistent. As far as I’m concerned, I’m not surprised because the training has been going very well.”
Kate and Quiana started things off with a personal best of 76.250 percent in the Grade IV FEI Para Grand Prix A Test. Fiona and Beatrice went one-two in the Grade II FEI Para Grand Prix A Test, with Fiona on Jagger scoring a personal-best 72.931 percent. Despite an error, Beatrice and Sixth Sense were second on a score of 71.379 percent. The U.S. team was in the lead after the first day of competition.
Another day secured team gold with a score of 446.852 percent, while the Netherlands took silver (432.389 percent) and Belgium claimed bronze (415.486 percent). Kate had a decisive win in the Grade IV Grand Prix B Test with a personal-best score of 77.793 perecent. Beatrice and Sixth Sense earned top honors in the Grade II FEI Para Grand Prix B Test with 74.555 percent, while Fiona and Jagger were second with a personal best of 73.944 percent.
The U.S. combinations finished their time at CHI Al Shaqab with Saturday’s freestyle tests. Kate and Quiana earned yet another personal best of 81.850 percent in their Grade IV FEI Para Grand Prix Freestyle. Beatrice and Sixth Sense had the top ride in the Grade IV FEI Para Grand Prix Freestyle with a score of 77.722 percent, and Fiona and Jagger were close behind in second place on a personal best of 77.433 percent.
Michel noted the high scores throughout the competition came from an educated group of judges.
“The ground jury was a very advanced ground jury. We had two 5* judges, who were both Tokyo (2021 Olympics) and Herning judges, so they have a good insight and know their stuff,” he said. “Good scores that we get from those judges are very meaningful.”
