The impressive Greenwich stadium
Australia's Joann Formosa was back in action at Greenwich on Monday for the first time since winning gold in the grade Ib individual championship test at the London Paralympic Games.
In her final event at these Games, Joann and her 17-year-old stallion Worldwide PB remained poised throughout their individual freestyle test to music which was performed to Crazy Little Thing Called Love - a song made famous by the band Queen. Their test scored a strong 73.700 but was unfortunately not enough to see them stand on the medal podium for a second time, placing them in fourth position overall.
It was Austria’s Pepo Puch, (pictured above) the individual championship test bronze medallist who took the gold on this occasion, with Great Britain’s Lee Pearson just edging out Joann for the bronze. Pepo, who was the highest-ranked rider on the FEI Paralympic Athletes Individual Ranking List going into London 2012, and his mare Fine Feeling were brilliant in front of a huge crowd scoring 79.150 to take Austria’s first Paralympic equestrian gold medal since it was introduced to the Games line-up in 1996. Pepo competed for his country at the Atlanta Olympics in 2004 as an eventer before a serious fall left him paralysed from the neck down for several months.
Meanwhile back in Australia, Joann Formosa’s close friends (pictured below) have gathered to celebrate her gold medal victory. Joann who is from Broadford in Victoria is well supported by the local community and close friend Angela McManus says everyone in her hometown is looking forward to welcoming her home.
The final day of equestrian competition at the Paralympic Games will take place Tuesday where Australia’s Hannah Dodd and Rob Oakley will get a final opportunity to take to the magnificent Greenwich arena.
Full competition results are available at the London 2012 website.
Photos: Liz Gregg/FEI
