(British Dressage) - Erin Orford, a High Wycombe-based para equestrian dressage rider, scored 73.97% to win the Grade II section of the KBIS Para Dressage Championship. Riding Nirvana Morroko, a nine-year-old Dutch-bred gelding by Orame, Erin posted the highest score across all grades to secure the coveted national title.

“I’m so pleased with him today – he was a good boy,” said Erin. “He was really settled in there and gave me a great feeling. There’s a lot more to come from him too – he’s only nine.”

The 16.2hh bay was bought two years ago and is joint-owned by Erin, her parents Lynne and David Orford, and Diana Barley. “We found him on an ad on the BD website. He was one of the first I saw but we seemed to click straight away,” explained Erin. “He’s very responsive to the seat so we suit each other.”

Erin, who finished university last year, has taken this year to focus on her riding as well as teaching and training to become a judge, “I’m hoping it will help with my riding,” she said. With Morroko she has also been selected for the able-bodied home international at elementary and next year the pair will compete in national shows and selection trials for the Europeans.

Erin was eager to show appreciation for the backing of her sponsor: “I’m really grateful to my sponsors Diana Barley and Nirvana Spa for all their support.”

Grade I
Wiltshire-based para-equestrian dressage rider Anne Dunham rode LJT Lucas Normark to win the Grade I section of the KBIS Para Dressage Championship. Anne, who was London 2012 Paralympic reserve, rode the 11-year-old Knabstrupper stallion, owned by The Lady Joseph Trust, to score 69.75%.

“He was a bit sparked up and a little tense in places, but I was very pleased with his overall way of going. He had real lightness in front and it all felt more forward and willing – it was a big step forward,” said Anne, who has ridden the striking Ravaldi-sired horse since last November. She added: “He’s a lovely horse. He knows he’s a stallion but he does behave himself. I will compete him and my other horse Teddy parallel with each other until Lucas gets more settled with it all.”

Talking about their plans for the winter Anne said: “We’ll continue with his training and work towards qualification for the winter championships.”

Grade III
Nicky Thompson (34) from Elstead, Surrey secured the KBIS Para Dressage Championship Grade II title with her own Weltmeyer-sired gelding, Welt Santa Cruz. Partially sighted Nicky rode the British-bred 12-year-old to score 68.39%.

“We had a few ‘upset’ moments because of the wind but his way of going was generally very good,” said Nicky. “He trusts me and even if something unsettles him he soon gets over it and carries on. He was really listening and trying for me and we’re definitely heading in the right direction.”

Nicky, who has owned the striking black gelding for almost eight years said: “He’ll have a little holiday now before we do qualifiers for the winter championships and Hickstead.”

Grade IV
19-year-old Annastasia Neale, in her first year of competition as a para rider, and at her first ever championship, scored 69.35% to win the Grade IV category of the KBIS Para Dressage Championship. She rode Romanze in Dur, known as Rosa to her friends – a 19-year-old 16hh black Rubinstein mare.

“I’m amazed. We went in to have a nice time – I never thought we’d so well let alone win. I said ‘Quick Mum, get some white bandages for the prize giving!’ I didn’t think to bring any with me.

Annastasia, who had her first dressage lesson at the age of 10, has ridden Romanze in Dur for the past five years and has formed a strong bond with the horse over that time: “She’s my best friend and I always enjoy working with her. I train with my Mum, Georgina Neale, and we find that video training helps a lot. I also learn from watching videos of Carl Hester!”

Photo Courtesy of British Dressage – Erin Orford pictured with Liz Prest of KBIS