Team PracThe U.S. Para Dressage Team got off to a strong start on Day 1 at the FEI Para Dressage World Championships, hosted in Aachen, Germany. Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H, owned by Karin Flint and cared for by Rafael Hernandez-Carillo, secured individual gold in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A-Grade I.
“I stayed organized in my head; it helps me be more accurate,” Vonderheyden said.
When asked about her relationship with Fan Tastico H, she replied, “He is a super nice person. And, yes, I say person because that’s what I feel with him. He is very super.”
Vonderheyden, who also celebrated her birthday today, and Fan Tastico H have been partnered together for just over a year and are making their championship debut together in Aachen.
“It’s hard to find all the words I want to say after becoming champion,” Vonderheyden said with a smile. “It was kind of magic in the arena today and a really beautiful test.”
The pair earned a 76.70% to finish over Great Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst on Athene Lindebjerg and Italy’s Sara Morganti on Bond Girl 18.
“They are really starting to come together,” said chef d’equipe Michel Assouline of Fan Tastico H and Vonderheyden. “They are definitely on an upward trend, and it’s lovely to see them getting a high score.”
Hart and Howard Earn Fourth
Two other U.S. riders went today—Rebecca Hart and Fiona Howard—and both finished fourth in their respective grades.
“Overall, we had a good day,” said Assouline. “Sport is sport. You don’t always win everything. We have combinations with known horses, and the progression varies a little bit from time to time.”
Six-time Paralympian Hart and Rowan O’Riley’s Floratina, cared for by Mackenzie Young, went first for the U.S. in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A-Grade III.
“The entire experience of representing our country again and going down the centerline with my partner is a magical moment,” said Hart.
Hart and Floratina earned a 73.90%, placing fourth after the Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst (Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P.) with her 77.53%, Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen (Blue Hors Zackorado), and Italy’s Francesca Salvadè (Escari).
“It was amazing to go into that impressive arena today. I could feel that ‘Fonq’ was a little excited and looking around due to the atmosphere, but I’m so proud of how he settled into the test,” van der Horst said. “He did an amazing job, and he tries his best, always. It felt like a long wait to find out the result, but it was worth it!”
Last in the ring today for the U.S. was Howard on Diamond Dunes, owned by Dressage Family LLC and Hof Kasselmann and cared for by Jacqueline Bohme. Howard and Diamond Dunes put in a solid effort in the FEI Para Grand Prix Test A-Grade II, scoring a 75.00% to land the pair in fourth place.
“He has risen to every challenge I have thrown at him,” Howard said. “We didn’t have our best ride out there today, but I couldn’t fault this horse. He put his heart out there, and I’m so proud of him.”
Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing topped the Grade II field aboard Poesie 143 (75.48%), followed by Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen on Goerklintgaards Quater in second, and Great Britain’s Jemima Green rounding out the podium in third aboard Fantabulous.
“My horse is my partner, my friend, and we trust each other completely,” said triple FEI European champion and now world champion Dresing. “The trust between us is the culmination of everything we do, I want to show that it is possible to achieve great things in harmony with our horses through trust, respect and true partnership.”
The U.S. Para Dressage Team continues with competition tomorrow with Kate Shoemaker and Vianne heading into the Allianz Park Stadium at 9:24 a.m. local time (3:24 a.m. Eastern) in Grade IV.
