Denmark’s Stinna Tange Kaastrup won her first world gold medal as para-dressage began at the Fédération Equestre Internationale 2018 World Equestrian Games, hosted in Tryon Stadium at Tryon International Equestrian Center. 

The 24-year-old European champion, who was born without legs, continued a memorable year by taking Grade II Individual honors ahead of prolific medal-winning Austrian Pepo Puch.

Kaastrup, riding 17-year-old Horsebo Smarties, posted a score of 72.735 percent, and Puch — the last of nine competitors — fell just short aboard Sailor’s Blue on 72.676 percent, with Netherlands challenger Nicole den Dulk and Wallace N.O.P. finishing third, just under 2 percent behind Puch.

There was disappointment for Great Britain’s Sir Lee Pearson, though, who needs one more medal to become the most decorated para-dressage rider in World Equestrian Games history, as he retired his new ride, 9-year-old mare Styletta, two-thirds of the way through his test.

“I was upset because of a mistake I made because the horse was feeling amazing and doing such a wonderful job, but still it was enough [to medal] and it didn’t matter in the end,” Kaastrup said. “I was so nervous looking at the scores as it was so close all the way through, and I wondered if we were going to make it. My horse is really enjoying it, and as soon as we got into the arena his ears were like ‘hey, I’m here, is everyone watching me?’ He is a darling.”

The para-dressage program began with a Grade IV competition that saw the three medalists separated by just 0.781 percent, with the Netherlands’ Sanne Voets taking gold.

Voets, who won a freestyle gold and two silvers at the last World Equestrian Games in France four years ago, led from a number one draw on Demantur N.O.P. as their score of 73.927 percent edged out Brazil’s Rodolpho Riskalla and Don Henrico (73.366 percent), with Danish rider Susanne Jensby Sunesen third aboard CSK’s Que Faire (73.146 percent).

Para-dressage will conclude on Saturday in Tryon Stadium.

– Submitted article