It was not only a gold medal, but also a world record for Kate Shoemaker and her Vianne at the FEI Para Dressage world championships in Aachen on Thursday.
A two-time Paralympian, Kate earned the honors in FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade IV. Their personal best earned 78.889 percent, breaking the world record for that competition
“The entire test felt harmonious, and that was the one thing I wanted,” said Kate, competing in in her second FEI World Championship.
“I wasn’t thinking about points, or scores, or medals,” she recounted.
“I was thinking, ‘How can I show this very special horse to the best of our ability today?’ ”
Gold medalist Kate Shoemaker on the podium with Anna-Lena Niehues and Nicola Traylor. (FEI/Leanjo de Koster)
The world record is Kate’s second in Aachen after taking over the title for the Grand Prix Test B at CHIO Aachen in April. This week’s record-breaking personal best came with scores above 80 percent from judges at M and B.
Kate was hoping to add to her bronze medal from the last FEI World Championships in Herning Denmark, four years ago. Her first high-profile effort with Vianne was the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“Coming into Paris, we were trying to figure each other out. She was eight, and one day an aid would do one thing, and the next day, it did something else,” said Kate, who has partial paralysis of her right leg due to periventricular leukomalacia, a brain injury that occurred at birth.
“This year, we came into our own as a partnership, and it feels so easy,” continued Kate, 38.
“I can go in there and just think about it, and the ride’s going to happen. She gives me her whole heart. That’s what it felt like today; she was completely one with me. I was so happy, I was crying before the final halt.”
Shoemaker’s gold medal came a day after her teammate, Marie Vonderhayden, and Karin Flint’s Fan Tastico H secured individual gold in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A – Grade I.
“Two gold medals in two days is a very good feeling, and for Kate to have another world record is amazing,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline.
“The higher grades are very technical, so for her to get a high score is difficult. We are very excited for the rest of the week.”
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