Well what a year 2021 has been, while the world in still in a state of recovery from the Pandemic, the welcome return of a huge International Competition such as the Tokyo 2020/2021 Olympics was a very Welcome Distraction. While Team Ireland is definitely on the up, and I believe Equestrian Medals are well within our grasp in 2024, all eyes were firmly focused on the Paralympians at the end of August.
I have to say that our 4 Para Equestrians really did us proud, all to my knowledge first time Paralympians, producing solid performances.
First up for Team Ireland were Rosemary Gaffney and her mare Werona. Rosemary finished in 15th place overall on a score of 65.390% in the Grade IV Individual Dressage Competition. Sanne Voets of the Netherlands took the gold with her mount Demantur on a score of 76.585%. I loved Rosemary’s quote on completion of her test, when asked how she felt she responded as follows;
It has been a dream of mine ever since I had my first accident in 2007 to get to the Paralympics. I have been reserve for the last two, but this time I made it. I went into the arena a nobody and came out a Paralympian. I’m on Cloud Nine!
Rosemary Gaffney – Irish Equestrian Paralympian
Next up was Tamsin Addison and her gelding Farenheit, they finished 12th overall in the Grade V Paralympic Individual Dressage Competition on a score of 66.405%. This was a great result for a first time Olympian, particularly with a horse of just 10 years old. Michelle George from Belgium took the gold on a score of 76.524% with her horse Best of 8.
On the second day of the Paralympic Dressage Competition Michael Murphy and his horse competed in the Grade I Competition. Michael and his horse Clever Boy completed on a score of 61.464% to finish in 18th Place overall. Roxanne Trunnell of the USA took the gold with her horse Dolton on a score of 81.464%. Here is what Michael had to say following his test;
It’s such an honour to be here, the journey to get here has been incredible and while I’m disappointed, I really believe that this is just the start of the journey for us.
Michael Murphy – Irish Equestrian Paralympian.
The final rider for Ireland in the Individual Competition was Kate Kerr Horan and her mare Serafina T. Kate and the Mare scored a 66.470% in the Grade III Individual Competition, to finish in 18th place overall. The gold went to Tobias Thorning Jorgensen of Denmark and his horse Jolene Hill on a score of 78.971%.
The Paralympic Dressage Team Competition
In the Paralympic Dressage Team Competition the Irish Para Dressage High Performance Director Deborah Pijpers selected 3 of the Individual riders to go forward and compete as the Irish Team. Our Team was made up of Michael Murphy and Clever Boy, Kate Kerr Horan and Serafina T and Tamsin Addison and Farenheit. I am thrilled to report that all three riders put in super performances as follows;
Michael Murphy and Clever Boy finished on a score of 75.179%, Kate Kerr Horan and Serafina T finished on a score of 65.676%, with Tamsin Addison on a score of 66.232%, giving the Irish Team a score of 207.176 to finish in 12th place overall.
Team GB took Gold on a score of 229.905, The Dutch Team took the Silver on a score of 229.249 and Team USA took Bronze on a score of 224.352.
On the whole the Irish Riders put in really stellar performances and I believe we have a lot to look forward in the next 3 years leading up to Paris 2024.