Simone Pearce sets new Aussie record at Achleiten CDI4*
By Equestrian Life
German-based Australian dressage rider Simone Pearce has scored 74.152% in the Grand Prix CDI4* at Schloss Achleiten CDI4* (Austria) with Destano, a record Grand Prix CDI score for an Australian rider.
Simone and Destano finished third, with Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD taking first place on 81.174% and Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer finishing second with Abegglen FH NRW on 77.631%.
“Wow, 74.15% in the Grand Prix with our beloved Destano here at Achleiten CDI4* today. This is a personal best international Grand Prix score for me and also a new Australian record for the Grand Prix,” said Simone.
The previous Grand Prix CDI record score by an Australian was Kristy Oatley and Du Soleil. The pair scored 73.913% to win the CDI-W Grand Prix in Pilisjászfalu, Hungary, in May 2019.
Simone thanked all those have helped her reach this point in her career, in particular the stallion that made it possible.
“Thank you to my amazing horse Destano; wow I love you so much and I’m so very very grateful for how much work with me and fight for me in the arena – we still have a lot to improve but we are in a good way.”
Full results can be found here.
Simone rides and trains at Gestüt Sprehe – the stud that owns the famous Desperados. The stud owns Destano, however Simone is listed with the FEI as a part owner, meaning the horse is eligible to compete for Australia at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Simone also won the Preliminary Test for 5-Year-Olds with Diamond First on a score of 84.4%.
