TWO Irish para dressage riders hit the international stage with gusto over the past two days at the CHI Al Shaqab CPEDI3* in Doha, claiming two third place finishes apiece. Sarah Slattery and Savona (Grade IV) and Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus aka ‘Lottie’ (Grade III) competed in their respective grades on both Thursday and Friday, first performing the Para Grand Prix A test and then the Para Grand Prix B test. Both riders were third in each of their classes and are now due to ride a Freestyle test today (Saturday).

The event marked Katie and Lottie’s first international together, while our The Irish Field Dressage Rider of the Year 2024, Sarah, set out for Doha as her first competition after a dream debut at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Speaking to The Irish Field from Doha, both riders said they were blown away by the facilities and were thoroughly enjoying the experience.

“It was Savona’s first flight and while we were all a bit worried she travelled over like an absolute superstar,” Slattery said. “The Al Shaqab Center, it’s just incredible, the stables, the facilities, the indoor, the outdoor - it was like being in Paris again. There’s no expense spared for the horses here, so it’s amazing to get invited. We had our first test on Thursday and this was our first time away since Paris. I hadn’t actually ridden the test at any competition since Paris, so I think she was a little bit tense in the trot... but we ended up with just over 67%, so we were super, super happy.

“Today (Friday), I had her more settled in the warm up and she really settled once we got into the canter work, and my scores kind of came up then again, which was great, because we had been working on that over winter. She was super with me, but then we had a costly mistake in our simple changes, which count double. But again, we ended up on nearly 68%, which I am really happy with. I’m really looking forward to riding our freestyle tomorrow and, hopefully, the work that we’ve put in over the last two days will keep her relaxed and we’ll be able to show off our full potential.”

For Reilly, it was a week of firsts and of gaining experience. “It was our first time flying with a horse, it was the highest scores I ever got internationally (69% and 69.8%) and it’s been a wonderful show, just to get to know how me and Lottie work together internationally. I’ve only had her three months, so it’s really just working on our connection and how we go together in competition. Lottie has been there, done that, she’s so experienced. She won individual silver and gold team medals in Tokyo and two bronze at Paris with her former owner, Natasha Baker (GB).

Lottie’s experience also served to help Reilly’s confidence. “I work with a sports psychologist as competing at a high level, it does come with nerves, so it’s really just working on myself and keeping them in control. With Lottie being so experienced it’s really given me that peace of mind to just focus on my riding and getting through the test.

“This year, we will be really just focus on competing as much as we can and getting as much experience as we can. I always like to compete as much as possible and enjoy it. Obviously the Europeans is this year so if that happens, it happens but really, I’m focusing on my own experience, just enjoying my horse.”