The marks are tight between the top three riders of the grade Ia competition at this half way stage, with a surprise lead by Italian rider Sarah Morganti riding Royal Delight. Sarah beat her 2013 European bronze medal score with the 13 year old German bred daughter of Royaldik by 1% to take the top honours today with a score of 75.783%. Sarah was clearly ecstatic with her score, “I can’t believe it!” She said, “This is my dream, I had such a good ride and we worked so hard for this.” Slotting in behind Sarah is the UK based rider from Singapore, double Paralympian Laurentia Yen-Yi Tan. Laurentia rode her 2012 Paralympic partner Ruben James 2 to a score of 74.522% to sit in current silver medal position and couldn’t be more pleased with her test, “It felt very good,” she said, “I had a great connection with my horse and am pleased with the score.” Currently in third place is the reigning Grade 1a Paralympic and 2013 European triple gold medallist, Great Britain’s Sophie Christiansen riding her champion partner Janeiro. The pair posted a score of 74.261, which is lower than Sophie would have liked but she split the judges with extremes from 69% to 77%. A self confessed critic of her own riding, Sophie confessed that this gives her something to focus on for the individual test now. “I tried to make him relaxed and rhythmical, but it could have been a little better consistency,” she said, “so this will give me something to work on for Thursday.”
