Join AUS Squad
Back To News
It was picture perfect at the Chateau de Versailles for day two of the Para-equestrian competition, which saw medals decided in the Grade IV and V Individual Tests.
For the first time in the Palace’s long history, a mob of blow-up boxing kangaroos, along with excited spectators and team members, were out in force to support Australian duo Dianne Barnes and Lisa Martin.
Smiling from ear to ear, Barnes on her mare ‘Sorena’ were the first combination to enter the arena for Australia in Grade IV. Despite an early mistake, the combination recovered to produce a satisfying test to score 65.444%, placing them in 12th place overall – unfortunately meaning they will not progress to the individual freestyle on Saturday.
“The mare got quite worried about the atmosphere and being alone out there,” Barnes said. “Plus, following the local French girl [Alexia Pittier], there was quite a bit of cheering going on, so she got a little worried.
“We had a few mistakes, and that happens. She’s a horse not a robot, but I’m really proud of her. I think now that she’s been out there, she’ll be a lot better for the second test. I’ll also be calmer, which means she will be calmer too.”
It would be hard for a spectator, let alone a competitor, to not be over-awed by the spectacular setting – a once in a lifetime experience that was not lost on the 66-year-old Victorian.
“When I trotted up towards the end, I looked out toward the Palace and thought, ‘Oh my God, is this a dream?!’ and whatever happens in the next five minutes, I’ve ridden out into that arena in Versailles.”
Next up was returning Paralympian Lisa Martin, who was riding on ‘Villagio’, or ‘Villy’, in Grade V.
Her first campaign took her to Rio where she placed fourth in all three dressage tests and the mixed freestyle, and she was eager to improve on her efforts from 2016.
The difference, however, between the two Games is that in the interim Martin sustained a nearly fatal injury when her mare got her foot stuck and backed the full 820kgs of its weight onto her body, crushing her pelvis, pubic bone, sacrum and part of her spine.
Although she didn’t improve on her Rio position, she was pleased to finish fifth (70.436%) and qualify for the individual freestyle on Saturday, especially after enduring such a difficult and painful journey to get here.
“He [Villagio} is a little bit of an unknown sort, and I didn’t know how he was going to handle it,” Martin said. “I knew he had the quality; I just didn’t know what he was going to do in there. So, to get 70% at a Paralympic Games is fantastic and to have such a young horse do that, is great,”
As they exited the arena, there were huge pats for ‘Villy’ and an acknowledging wave to the crowd from Martin, which contained a decent showing of Aussie support.
“It was incredible! Half-way through the test I thought ‘Holy God, I’m actually in here’,” she added.
There’s a rest day at Versailles on Thursday before the team event begins on Friday.
Watch the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on the 9Network and 9Now live and free, and on Stan Sport.
By: Ashley Gillespie, Paralympics Australia
Published: 4 September 2024
