AACHEN, Germany--Fiona Howard and Marie Voneheyden won in Grade II and Grade I respectively, while Rebecca Hart finished fifth in Grade III for the team to be fourth after day one of team competition in the World Championship on Friday, Aug.21.
Fiona Howard on Diamond Dunes(Photo by Kim MacMillan)But Kate Shoemaker,, who set a world record in her test Thursday, has still to go for a team score, while the three teams currently ahead of them, Singapore, Czechia and Hong Kong, have completed their team scores.
Howard on Diamond Dunes scored 79.300 to win by three over Heidemaie Dresing of Germany on 77.733, and Vonderheyden on FanTastico H scored 76.375 to win over Mari Durward-Akhurst of Great Britain on 74.583, while Hart on Floratine scored 73.533 for fifth in her section.
"Diamond Dunes felt great today," said Howard "From the first shot around the outside of the arena, he was like, I'm ready for this, and he really just put his whole heart in. I'm just so proud of him and so happy that we could do this for the team. Just really, really delighted with him. He's one in a million."
"I HAVE my good friend Terry Buckmiller here, who also was the surgeon that saved my life in 2019," she said.. "So it's also a super special to be able to do this like with her here, and enjoy this experience with her because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her.
Marie Vonderheyden on Fan tastico H (Photo by Kim MacMillan)"So it's a very special championship for me, to be able to put down that ride today with her here, and my parents are here, too.
"He has a wonderful trot and walk but his walk is really a big walk," said Howard. "Really, he doesn't have a weak spot, I'm the one that's got to make sure that I ride him well enough so that he can show his best ability and all the movements because like he's great at everything."
"With USA not being one of the teams that has to chase qualification for L.A , it's the pressure offer, but will we still be gunning for for the gold medal? I think yes, that's obvious.
I think as a team we're all competitive, but we also really want each other to succeed," said Howard. We really support each other and we put so much work into this that we we all want to fight for those medals.
Riders in Grade !! have either a severe impairment of the trunk and minimal impairment of the upper limbs or moderate impairment of the trunk, upper and lower limbs. Most athletes in this grade use a wheelchair in daily life.
"Fan Tastico was very good," said Vonderheyden.
She said she felt she needed to kick her horse to make him go on.
"it's hard for me because the the all the coaches are asking me to not do it," Vonderheyden said. "But I need to to ask him to go for it."
"I'm so happy, I don't know what can I say." she said of her score that will count hopefully to a team medal. "I love that as well, helping the others."
Riders in Grade I have severe impairments affecting all limbs and trunk. The athlete usually requires the use of a wheelchair. They may be able to walk with an unsteady gait. Trunk and balance are severely impaired.
“We are very fortunate to have strong combinations across all Grades here in Aachen,” said Chef d’Equipe Michel Assouline. “Today’s tests proved that, with high marks across the board. We are looking forward to tomorrow and chasing a place on the medal podium, but overall, I could not be more pleased with the consistency that we have seen all week from our athletes.”
