IRISH riders have been marking their mark on Florida’s dressage scene in recent weeks, with Limerick native Sarah Jane Arthur and Galway’s Shauna Finneran earning some good results at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

Both girls are based at Foster Meadow Farm in New Hampshire, under the guidance of Pamela Goodrich. They make the trip south to Florida each winter for the WEF. “It’s definitely cool to be in the midst of the show scene here, different but very exciting,” said Sarah Jane.

Taking part in the Welcome Back to White Fences I class, Sarah Jane picked up a fifth on the first day with Don Fettino. Riding the eight-year-old son of Don Schufro at Third Level Test III, which is the equivalent of advanced medium in Ireland, Sarah Jane scored 66.410%. This combination improved upon this score the following day to finish second at the same level on a mark of 73.205%.

Sarah Jane saved her best performance for the last day of this show however, winning this Third Level class with another of her rides, Pascal.

Owned by Danish Olympian Lars Peterson, “Peanut” is a favourite of his rider.

“It’s been a very long road with him as he’s quite the temperamental Trakehner,” said Sarah Jane, “but he’s very special to me and certainly the horse I’ve learned the most on.”

This show not only marked Pascal’s debut at Third Level, but was also the first time he had ever been competed. The 12-year-old son of Schwadromeur earned a mark of 66.538%.

Last weekend at Welcome Back to White Fences II, Shauna returned from injury to win the Inter I. Riding Jennifer Huber’s Vito, she scored 68.947% to leave the competition trailing in her wake.

Sarah Jane also picked up another placing at this show, finishing fifth with Don Fettino at Third Level.