Sharon Jarvis and Applewood Odorado Win Another Bronze

Congratulations to Sharon Jarvis (AUS) and Applewood Odorado on their second bronze medal for their Grade III Freestyle test in the Para-dressage
Photograph:Franz Venhaus/EA Story: Nicola Turner/EA

Para-Equestrian Sharon Jarvis has done it again, winning a second bronze medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky (USA).

[COLOR=windowtext]Sharon and her 14-year-old gelding Applewood Odorado (Odie) won bronze in the Grade III Freestyle test; she also won the bronze in the Grade III Individual Championship last Wednesday.

[COLOR=windowtext]Repeat performance:[COLOR=windowtext] The podium will be a repeat of the Individual Championship. Once again the gold medal was won by [COLOR=windowtext]Hannelore Brenner (GER) and Woman of the World scoring a huge 79.200%. Brenner is also the reigning Paralympic Champion. Annika Dalskov (DEN) and Preussen Wind won the silver with 75.400%. Sharon and Odie scored 74.700% (receiving 80.00% from one judge).

[COLOR=windowtext]Finding form:[COLOR=windowtext] Sharon had said that her plan was to “absolutely go for it,” in the today’s freestyle and that is what she did. She was thrilled to be able to pull out another great performance when it counted. [COLOR=windowtext]“We did not warm up so well today so I was SO happy that we got it together in the test,” commented Sharon.

[COLOR=windowtext]Inspiration: [COLOR=windowtext]Riding to the music from ‘Who is Afraid of the Big Bad Bear’ and Walt Disney’s ‘Pinocchio’ Sharon and Odie danced through the test.[COLOR=windowtext] “One of my heroes is Walt Disney. When I was young and I was sick my mother told me if I got well enough we would go to Disneyland. I was in callipers and in a wheelchair and when I got there Mickey Mouse pushed me around all day. Disney has always been an inspiration to me,” explained Sharon.

[COLOR=windowtext]Sharon has now completed all her events at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. She goes home with a 10^th place in the team competition and two individual bronze medals. To date the only two medals won by Australia.

[COLOR=windowtext]Grace Bowman on Kirby Park Joy (Grade II) and Nicole Kullen on Nikshar Nomination (Grade I) will perform their Freestyle tests tomorrow. Bowman narrowly missed a bronze medal in yesterday’s Individual Championship test.

[COLOR=windowtext]Kate Doughty and Heatherton Park Al Capone will ride in the final event of the Para-Equestrian competition, the Grade IV Freestyle, on Sunday. The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games conclude on Sunday.