Panizzon ‘shocked’ at dressage win

For most riders, the thrill and examination provided by the cross-country is the main attraction in eventing, and Vittoria Panizzon is not alone in finding that the dressage element lacks the same excitement.

That was not evident yesterday, however, after the Italian pocketed €1,000 in the winner-takes all Castlemartyr Challenge in Cork, a precursor to the Johnson & Perrott Land Rover International Horse Trials at Ballindenisk.

It came as a surprise to the British-based Italian woman, who was in the process of loading up her horse before being called back for her prize.

“I’m completely shocked... I suppose I can go home now. Maybe, I should quit while I am ahead, but I like the jumping far too much,” joked Panizzon, candidly and ironically admitting she finds dressage “a bit boring”.

Yesterday’s Ballindenisk appetiser pitted six riders in a dressage test on the picturesque grounds of Castlemartyr Resort and Panizzon’s fluid display with Rock Model earned her 69.63% to hold off a strong challenge from Meath’s Sarah Ennis, whose performance with Sugar Brown Babe was scored at 68.89%, with third-placed Bandon rider Patricia Ryan on 67.41%.

Panizzon, who finished 11th at the Olympics in London with Borough Pennyz, is hopeful another good dressage display in Ballindenisk from the 17-year-old Rock Model, can ensure her first competitive visit to Ireland continues its winning theme.

“He likes spectators, but he can be a bit tense. If he can repeat today’s performance we could do well, as he’s great cross-country,” said Panizzon, who turns 29 on Friday and is an ambassador for the Italian air force, holding the rank of corporal.

Britain’s Ollie Townend is arguably the foremost foreign raider, and, while he was a little off the pace yesterday, he remains one of the favourites, though his compatriot Matthew Wright will also be a threat, along with Irish standard bearers, such as the aforementioned Sarah Ennis, Capt. Geoff Curran, Joseph Murphy and the husband-and-wife team of Michael and Patricia Ryan.

They will have a big incentive to do well, with the €50,000 Goresbridge Go For Gold bonus prize on offer for any horse/rider combination that wins this week’s CIC three-star class and goes on to win a CCI three-star at the fixture in 2013.

Ballindenisk begins tomorrow with the first of two days of dressage, followed by the cross-country phase on Saturday. The show jumping phase will decide the winner on Sunday, when the focus outside the arena will be on family fun.