Dixon and Don off to Worlds

By: Diana Dobson/ESNZ

Canterbury Paralympian Anthea Dixon has been named in the New Zealand team for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games next month.

The 32-year-old, New Zealand’s first ever para dressage rider at WEG, will compete in grade two aboard Doncartier (owned by Bella Robson) at the event, which is being held in France.

Since the London Paralympics, she has been commuting between New Zealand and Germany to train with Hayley Beresford, practice and compete on her Aussie-owned horse.

Dixon is hugely excited.

“It is a relief to be finally named,” she says.. “Since London it has been a big commitment to get to WEG, but it is the opportunity of a lifetime to have a chance to do so with such a classy horse and professional trainer.”

Dixon says without the support of her husband Aaron, her family, and employer CourierPost, she would not be able to do it.

“I am just thrilled for Bella and Hayley. Just to make the team makes it all worth while, but then there has been the enormous improvement in my riding and understanding since London.”

Dixon, a paraplegic after a horse accident in 2006, has won numerous national awards for her para dressage, and has previously also competed in Australia for New Zealand.

She expects her main competition in France will come from the British, German and Dutch riders . . . but she has high expectations for herself too. Dixon and Don have been competing against most she will face at WEG, and she says they have been not too far off the mark.

“We have been tapping them on the shoulder,” she says. “It is a big step up, but it is possible. Don is definitely more than capable of it, but everything has to go right on the day.”

A personal best score at WEG would see her in the top five.

“That would be awesome... but higher than that would be even better!”

Equestrian Sports New Zealand high performance director Sarah Harris calls Dixon, who is ranked 13^th in the para dressage world rider rankings and third in grade two, a “talented rider for the future of the sport”.

“Anthea’s dedication to achieve success internationally has been rewarded,” said Harris.

Following London, a detailed Individual Performance Programme was put in place to ensure Dixon will be best-placed for a strong performance at WEG.

“I believe strong IPPs to drive performance with international experience will assist us in closing the gap to the podium,” says Harris. “It is difficult for New Zealand combinations to stay connected and competitive in a discipline that is constantly tracking upwards on the world stage.”

It is just the second time para-dressage has been included at WEG.

The Fact Box

• The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games run from August 23 – September 7 in France.

• Para-dressage will run from August 25-29.

• It is the first time New Zealand has had a competitor in the para-dressage.

• New Zealand will be represented by teams in eventing, vaulting, endurance, para-dressage and possibly by individuals in showjumping

• WEG is held every four years in different locations.

• A record 72 countries are expected to take part, making it the world’s largest equestrian sport event.

• More than 400,000 people are expected to attend over the two weeks.

• For more information, head to www.normandy2014.com .