Sponsored Rider Victoria Davies Finds Success at Willinga Park CPEDI

The Willinga Park CPEDI took place from the 16-19th February in Bawley Point on the NSW south coast, with CPEDI3*, CPEDI2* and Virtus competitors all taking to the arena.

The CPEDI3* classes across the grades held particular importance, being Paralympic qualifiers for competitors at this level.

Among other considerations, part of the nomination criteria for Australian team selection for the 2024 Paris Paralympics requires combinations to receive an overall percentage score of 67% or above in a Grand Prix Test A or B in at least two CPEDI 3* events between 1 October 2023 and 19 June 2024.

Kentucky Equine Research-sponsored rider Victoria Davies attended the qualifying event, with the hope of representing Australia once again in Paris in August.

Victoria is an Australian Paralympian dressage rider who ranked 7th in the 2021 FEI Para Grade II World Rankings. She placed 9th at the Tokyo Paralympic Games with her Lusitano stallion, Celere. With her husband, Michael, Victoria created Tora V PRE & Lusitano Stud, based in Bolong, NSW.

Victoria was born into a family that bred and campaigned Spanish horses. This is where she developed her everlasting passion for the breed and a love for competing.

Victoria’s achievements throughout her career have been nothing short of remarkable, given that she has been battling rheumatoid arthritis since the age of nine. ​

One week from the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games European qualifiers, Victoria was diagnosed with a life-threatening neck condition, basilar invagination, in which the top of the spine presses against the base of the skull, potentially pinching the spinal cord and causing neurological deficits. After lengthy investigations, neurosurgeons suggested that Victoria’s C1 and C2 vertebrates had naturally fused, which saved her life. The odontoid peg, situated on C2, had migrated into Victoria’s skull, missing the brain by less than a millimetre.

“What an incredible competition it has been!” exclaimed Victoria. “My Lusitano stallion, Celere, was in fantastic form throughout the competition, and it was evident that he was thrilled to be back in a major competition atmosphere. He was a true showman! We achieved our first qualifying score, won all three tests, and were crowned champions in our grade. Our journey towards the Paris Paralympic Games continues, and with two more Australian qualifier events ahead, we remain determined to earn our spot on the Australian Team.”

Celere look and feel amazing, according to Victoria, “thanks to the KER products they’re supplemented with daily, including EO-3, Synovate HA, EquiShure, Glucos-A-Flex, and, when needed, B-Quiet Pellet and Restore.”

Victoria campaigned two horses at Willinga Park, Celere and Sonnensterne, competing in the Grand Prix Grade II A and B, as well as the freestyle over the three days.

Para Grand Prix Test A Grade II CPEDI3*

1st Celere 67.299%

5th Sonnensterne 61.782%

Para Grand Prix B Grade II CPEDI3*

1st Celere 66.889%

6th Sonnensterne 61.167%

Para Grand Prix Freestyle II CPEDI3*

1st Celere 69.567%

Image by Jo Jennings for Equestrian Australia.