Double Victory for Simone Pearce & Destano as They Smash Two Australian Records

It was a clean sweep for Australian dressage rider Simone Pearce and her black stallion Destano at the CDI3*-W Brno in the Czech Republic this weekend.

The combination not only claimed victory in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special competitions but also smashed the Australian Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special records, both of which were previously held by the combination.

In the Grand Prix on Friday Simone and Destano scored an impressive 76.26% bettering their previous record of 74.15%, which they achieved at Achleiten CDI 4* last month, by more than 2%. Today the combination took to the arena for the Grand Prix Special where they produced a phenomenal test scoring a 77.89% smashing their previous record of 74.61%, which was also achieved at Achleiten.

“Worlds best horse! Wow, wow what a show; thank you Destano, I love you to the moon and back. I’m so happy and proud of this amazing horse and I’m so thankful to Gestut Sprehe and Sabine Rüben for giving me the opportunity to ride this wonderful horse and make my dreams come true. Destano you are a legend, thank you” said Simone of her double victory.

This weekend marked the first international victory for the combination, as despite their fantastic run of results the pair had yet to finish on top of the podium.

The combination has only been together a short time and has already made a name for themselves on the international dressage scene.

Destano, a 13-year old Hanoverian licensed stallion by Desperados x Brentano II, came to Simone already having competed to Grand Prix level but the talented rider saw his greater potential and worked hard at changing some of his ‘basics’ in order to unlock his true capability.

"He has really come so far in the past six months and I really changed the way he has been training and have changed his basics. I think that is quite impressive with a horse, who is already trained to Grand Prix, that they allow you to change their basics so much, he has really been a pleasure to work with and I am so grateful to have him,” describes Simone.

Article courtesy of Equestrian Australia