Lubbe and Pearson lead on day one of Rio para-equestrian

On a sweltering day in Deodoro, Norway’s Ann Cathrin Lubbe was the first to take the lead in the Rio 2016 para-equestrian dressage competition, earning the top spot in the grade III team test. Riding Donatello, the double Athens 2004 gold medallist scored 72.237% to finish ahead of Dutch rider Sanne Voets (second), and Denmark’s Susanne Sunesen (third).

Ann Cathrin’s victory was made even more impressive as it occurred during a period of competition which was regularly interrupted by bursts of fireworks from the neighbouring town, as football fans celebrated their teams’ goals and victories!

“I had a marvellous ride, what with the noise and everything,” she said. “My trainer had told me to ignore everything and just ride, so I just rode. But he’s a very good horse, too.”

Ann Cathrin is appearing in her fourth Games, having first ridden in Sydney in 2000. She didn’t ride in London 2012 and added: “It’s good to be back.”

Reigning grade III world freestyle champion Sanne Voets was just two percentage points behind the winning score. “I’m really happy with that,” she said. “I was hoping for a little more, but for now the feeling and the test and the way my horse reacted to everything, it was good. He did everything I asked and that’s the maximum we can get.”

The afternoon’s grade Ib test was won by Great Britain’s 10-time Paralympic champion Lee Pearson, riding Zion and scoring 75.280%. That score, however, will not count towards the British team’s total as he is riding as an individual.

In second place, and winning the team aspect of the contest, was Austria’s Pepo Puch with 74.000%. Germany’s Alina Rosenberg, at her first Games, was third.

For Pepo, this was a first ride at a major international on his new horse, Fontainenoir. “I’m happy. It was not a bad start,” he said.“He’s a really nice, hard-working guy, with lots of thinking.”

Pepo, Brazil’s Rodolfo Riskalla and Denmark’s Stinna Tange Kaastrup had contended with the added stress of not knowing whether or not they would be able to compete, as their horses were held overnight following Saturday’s horse inspection. Stinna, who missed out on a place at London 2012 after her previous horse died, came fourth in the grade Ib and described the wait as “the worst night of my life”.

For Sara Morganti of Italy, world number two and reigning grade Ia freestyle champion, there was not such good luck. Her horse, Royal Delight, was also held for re-inspection and was not passed as fit, knocking a devastated Sara right out of the Games.

The team competition continues with grades IV and Ia.