Jarvis Competes in Paralympic Equestrian

WAIS individual scholarship holder Sharon Jarvis has experienced her first taste of Paralympic equestrian action in Hong Kong, riding fifth in the grade three team test event on Sunday. Jarvis improved her position in the Individual test to finish fourth, just outside the medals.

29 year-old Jarvis and her horse Applewood Odorado returned a score of 62.923 percent, which trailed Germany, who took an early lead with a score of 71.615 percent.

Equestrian section manager Ken Dagley was pleased with Jarvis’ performance, especially considering Applewood Odorado had appeared tense on the big stage.

“We are happy with that, given the horse appeared really tense and tried to break away a couple of times,” Dagley said.

“She rode him really nicely and got good marks beyond that.

“It’s a good starting hit out. It obviously would have been nice if the score was up around the 70 per cent…but they will choose the top three scores in the team test so we have a chance to have one score a bit lower than the rest.”

Riders are judged on the accuracy, obedience and rhythm of the horse in the test event. Jarvis lost percentage points as a result of Applewood Odorado’s attempts to break away, which would be considered disobedience.

Jarvis backed up in the Individual Championship Test, scoring 69.2 percent which moved her and her mount into third position right up until the last rider of the competition.

Australia’s other three riders in the team test – Grace Bowman, Georgia Bruce and Nicole Kullen – will be judged tonight.

Australia is searching for a return to former glory after it snared two equestrian gold medals at the Sydney Paralympic Games eight years ago. Australia is yet to win gold on foreign shores, the team is hopeful that this year’s Hong Kong campaign can break the void.