Win at Boneo made all the more special for Dianne Barnes
THE dressage championships at Boneo Park last weekend proved a successful and emotional show for para equestrian Dianne Barnes who won the para grade four section on Sorena.
The combination scored 75.288 per cent, with one judge giving them her 77.250.
“Freestyle day is always my favourite,” Dianne said. “Sorena loves working to music and I am proud to say she strutted her stuff for the win.
“She really is beautiful with a lot of talent and I am very lucky to have the ride on her.”
The win came 12 months to the day since Dianne competed at the World Championship in Herning, Denmark, with Stella.
Stella – Cil Dara Cosmic – carried Dianne in Grade IV and placed 11th in the individual test (67.375%) and 10th in the team test (68.439%). The mare came home to enjoy a long and loving retirement with Dianne’s daughter Jodie Barnes but sadly died in December.
“Jodie said to me this afternoon that Stella would be proud smashing out a great score,” Dianne said.
“Jodie and I both hurt and miss her every single day.
“If it wasn't for Stella taking me on that journey, I probably wouldn't have the ride on the beautiful Sorena. Two very different horses but both of them champions. Stella gave me wings and Sorena the abilityto fly with them.”
The weekend’s championship event was a competition for consistent performances.
David Boyle’s Bachelor was advanced champion, and Karen Blythe’s Sonic K was the winner in the small tour.
The quality ponies are also scoring well. Bettina Kopetzky’s San Sabastian was the medium level champion with scores that would have placed him high in the championship for big horses won by Justine Greer’s Dolly Dancer.
There are some high-quality novice horses coming through, with Jasmine Haynes’ Fleur de Cherie, Brooke Wheeler’s Brookfiled Valtini and Anthony Bartlett’s Vittorio VDS all scoring equally.
In the ponies, Toni Webb’s Salient Park Once Again and Emily Campbell’s Brookside Andromeda showed they have a real future.
Equestrian competitors are waiting anxiously to hear the name of the buyer of the Boneo Park complex, where the three days of full dressage competition was effortlessly held.
There are assurances that the centre will continue as previously, but even the elegant black swans on the Boneo wetlands will feel better when more is known.
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