A Report from Queensland’s, Susan Seipel

The Equestrian Australia Para Equestrian Team Selection Event for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) was held in conjunction with the 2010 Brighton Saddleworld Dressage NSW Young Rider Championships, at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park. The event was supported by the Australian Paralympic Committee and the Australian Sports Commission, and included four days of dressage action from Thursday July 15^th to Sunday July 18^th.

The Sydney equestrian centre is a very horse-friendly venue which was purposely built 10 years ago to host the Olympic Equestrian events. Larundel Gelata travelled well and was right at home in the new surroundings. Susan and her team of helpers included; her mum Cecily as carer, horse groom Skye Knights, coach Matty Sormani, and team chef Pauline Wallace.

Friday was the first day of Para Equestrian competition with the Team Test for all grades conducted in the outside arena. Luckily the conditions were excellent, a glorious sunny winter’s day. Susan and Larundel Gelata pulled out a solid test to score 70%, but it was only good enough for second place to the very consistent partnership of Nicole Kullen and Nikshar Nomination who achieved the highest score of the day with 74%. Another notable performance was by fellow Queensland rider Georgia Bruce and her horse Larundel Gameboy (Gelata’s half brother) who won the Grade 4 Team Test with a score of 68%.

The next day, the weather was again perfect for the Individual Championship Test which was held in the outside arena. The Championships Test has a higher degree of difficulty than the Team Test which resulted in lower percentages for all grades. There are five grades of competition in Para Equestrian, which are based not on riding ability or the training level of the horse, but on the extent of the riders’ disability. The tests in each grade are designed to challenge the rider and horse combination and make the competition within grades as fair as possible. Larundel Gelata was nicely forward for Susan in her test and despite a disruption from the judge who accidently read the test wrong they performed well. Results were close with Susan on 67%, only 2% behind the winner.

Susan and Larundel Gelata were the final combination of the event on the last day of competition for the Freestyle to Music Test.  The indoor arena looked spectacular, and a crowd had accumulated throughout the day. Larundel Gelata was looking fabulous in the warm-up and the test was perfectly timed to The Can Can music. The crowd cheered after the final halt and Susan was very pleased with the performance. Again the paired placed second to a more experienced combination, but she was thrilled with the scores. Two judges had them ahead for artistic presentation, one giving a total of 79%. Overall they scored 72% and have more improvement to come.

At the conclusion of the day, the presentations for overall grade champions were awarded. Susan and Larundel Gelata were presented the Reserve Champions in Grade 1B.

The final announcement was the riders who had been selected to represent Australia in Kentucky at the 2010 World Equestrian Games. The team will be Nicole Kullen and Nikshar Nomination from NSW in Grade 1B, Grace Bowman and Kirby Park Joy from SA in Grade 2, Sharon Jarvis and Applewood Odorado from WA in Grade 3, and Kate Doughty and Heatherton Park Al Capone from VIC in Grade 4. And Susan Seipel with Larundel Gelata are selected to represent Australia as individuals.

Susan and her team are absolutely ecstatic over her selection and so proud to have been given the chance to take on the rest of world. The World Equestrian Games are comprised of the World Championships for eight equestrian sports; dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, reining, vaulting and for the first time in history para dressage. The Games are held every four years and governed by the Federation Equestre International (FEI). WEG 2010 will be held from September 25^th to October 10^th with the Para Equestrian events  on October 5^th-9^th.

Susan would like to THANK her team for their support!!! She could not have done it without them. Also, she would like to congratulate the Australian Team riders on their selection. And finally,  another huge THANK YOU to her sponsors; Giddy Up Girl, Heritage Downs, Larundel Warmblood Stud, 2XU, Menora Stud, The McIntyre Centre, Paul Seipel Photography, and her supporters and friends, whom have all helped to make her dream come true!