Sixth in world championship
SHEPPARTON para dressage rider Mietta Innes-Irons has capped a remarkable FEI World Championship campaign with a sixth-place finish in the Grade V Freestyle in Aachen, Germany.
Partnered with her 10-year-old Westfalen gelding Sir Helmut, Innes-Irons scored 74.425 per cent in Sunday’s Freestyle final, putting the local rider among the world’s best.
The result comes after a strong progression throughout the championships, with Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut finishing 13th in the Grand Prix A on 68.974 per cent before improving to sixth in the Grand Prix B with a score of 71.131 per cent.
The result adds another major milestone to an extraordinary comeback story following two serious spinal injuries. Photo: Evergem Media House
Their combined result of 70.053 per cent placed the Australian combination eighth overall and secured their place in the top-eight Freestyle final.
The sixth-place finish is particularly impressive given the partnership between Innes-Irons and Sir Helmut is still relatively new, with the gelding only 10 years old.
The Freestyle score was also just below the pair’s personal best, set earlier on Australian soil, highlighting the potential of the combination as they continue to develop together.
The Aachen campaign represents another major milestone for Innes-Irons, who has risen through the international para dressage ranks following two serious spinal injuries.
The Shepparton rider began riding at just four years of age and was competing at a high level in eventing and show jumping before a horse fall in 2017 changed the course of her career. Despite numerous setbacks, she returned to the saddle and continued to compete at the highest level.
Her performance in Aachen now adds a sixth-place world championship finish to an already extraordinary comeback story, and offers an exciting glimpse of what may lie ahead for the Shepparton rider and Sir Helmut.
Mietta is the daughter of Jill and Min Innes-Irons of Shepparton.
