“We’re ready to go” – excited Pijpers looking forward to Paralympics

Pictured is Debora Pijpers, Para-Equestrian High Performance Director, second from right, with from left, Jessica McKenna, Sarah Slattery and Kate Kerr-Horan. Photo by Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

Final preparations are complete, the Irish horses have passed vet checks and now, on the eve of equestrian competition at the 2024 Paralympics, all that’s left to do is compete.

For Debora Pijpers, Ireland’s High Performance Para Dressage Director, it has been a relatively trouble-free build-up to the Games and her team are in place at Versailles ready to do the business.

Trot-ups are done, chefs meeting has taken place, the draws are finalised, now it’s in the hands of Ireland’s riders, Kate Kerr-Horan, Jessica McKenna, Michael Murphy and Sarah Slattery.

“I’m very excited,” says Pijpers. “We are competing here in Paris with four professional young adults and their wonderful horses. It is exciting to be here with a team and we will focus on presenting each combination at their individual best.

“We have been slowly building up to this. Kate is based in Ireland, Michael and Jessica are based in the UK and for training purposes Sarah is based in The Netherlands during the summer.

“All four riders have discussed individual performance improvements plans with their private coaches and with me. The exact plan depends on the combination, but for all riders these plans involved technical training, test training, physical training of the rider and some work with a mental coach.

“The horses have arrived, fresh and well in Versailles, and we really just put the final touches on training and preparation and we’re ready to go tomorrow.”

The impression from Pijpers is that all roads have led to this week and peaking at the right moment. Interestingly, when she reflects on the season of preparation, Pijpers doesn’t refer much to the negative.

“It was a season with ups and with learning moments,” she adds.

“The ups were, for example, Michael scoring 77.56% in the Grand Prix B at CPEDI3* Addington, and Jessica scoring 68 and 69% at that same show. Kate and Serafina also scored 68% twice at CPEDI3* Hickstead and Sarah scored 68.55% in the Grand Prix B in a big class at CPEDI3* Deurne.

Michael Murphy and Cleverboy applying the final touches to preparation ahead of the Paralympic Games in Paris

“I say ‘learning moments’ and not ‘downs’ on purpose because I think when something doesn’t go as well as you would have liked to, this helps you to reflect on what works and what doesn’t work, to adjust it and to go and try again. This definitely was also the case for us.”

There is somewhat of an element of competition within the team, such is the nature of team selection during the Games. All four riders will compete in individual events and aim to qualify for the freestyle medals in their respective grades, and three will be chosen to compete for team honours.

That said, what Pijpers has fostered is a team-comes-first mentality, with a top-10 finish the ultimate goal.

“First of all, I hope that we have created a team atmosphere with trust that helps each rider to be their best version of themselves in their competition,” Pijpers continues.

“With the team we have set the goal to end up in the top 10. We know that this is an ambitious goal, and that we don’t have influence on how well other countries perform. But we will focus on ourselves, and on that each rider individually shows improvements on what they have been working on this season.

“In a team session that the team had with a sport psychologist in preparation for Paris each athlete gave a high mark for trust within the team, so I think that is a good sign.

“Everyone is very excited to be here and to compete at the wonderful venue in Versailles. All four athletes marched in the opening ceremony and the atmosphere within the team, but also around us, was amazing. We are grateful to be here, we can laugh with each other, but there are also more serious moments and we support each other.”

In the Grade I Individual Event, Michael Murphy and Cleverboy have been drawn 14th to go and will compete at 3.08pm Irish time tomorrow (Tuesday).

In the Grade III Individual Event, Kate Kerr-Horan and Lykkebo’s Don Akino have been drawn fifth to go and will compete at 8.36am Irish time tomorrow (Tuesday).

Also in the Grade III Individual Event, Jessica McKenna and Davidoff 188 have been drawn 10th to go and will compete at 9.31am Irish time tomorrow (Tuesday).

In the Grade V Individual Event, Sarah Slattery and Savona have been drawn 11th to go and will compete at 1.35pm Irish time on Wednesday.