Reynolds sets new Irish Dressage record to boost Olympic hopes

IRISH Dressage rider Judy Reynolds has set a new Irish record score of 79.700%, on her way to a runner-up finish in the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music at the five-star show at Doha in Qatar today (Saturday).

Reynolds and the gelding Vancouver K, had previously set an Irish record of 77.425% at Lyon in France last October. An incredible performance at the Al Shaqab arena in Doha, saw Reynolds smash her own record and in the process she has boosted hopes of gaining an individual place for Ireland at the Olympic Games in Rio.

The Olympic equestrian qualification period ends after this weekend, with Reynolds and Irish equestrian fans now facing an agonizing wait to see if Ireland will get a dressage ticket to Rio.

A delighted Judy Reynolds said afterwards, “It was absolutely brilliant, by far the best presentation. He [Vancouver K] was so with me and on the music. It was mega, the best weekend ever.”

Reynolds, who finished third in the Grand Prix on Friday in Doha, collected €20,000 for her Freestyle runner-up finish. Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Deja collected the winners prize with a score of 82.55%.