Katharine Farrell Finds the Spotlight with Personal Best Score at 2015 CDI-W Boneo

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2015 CDI-W Boneo

Taking a personal best at the 2015 CDI-W Boneo on 22 - 25 January 2015, Australian youngster Katharine Farrell and her 12-year old gelding Luxor finished sixth in the Grand Prix with 66.340% and rose to take third spot in the 2015 Pacific League World Cup Final Kur with 70.675%. The 19-year old Farrell has certainly found the spotlight in her first year at Grand Prix.

"I was pleased with our test in the Grand Prix although we made several costly mistakes. A few of them inconveniently fell into movements with a double co-efficient. A portion of the performance was some of the best work we had done to date,” the 19 year-old Kate told Eurodressage. “The fact that this wasn't reflected in the score did not disappoint me, because I understand that one performance does not represent the entire picture, as proved in our freestyle the following day.”

Riding a personal best in the Grand Prix freestyle was an amazing experience for Kate. It represented a milestone and has helped her to solidify the progress she and her imported Hanoverian Luxor (by Londonderry x Argentinus) have made together as a combination.

“At Equitana we had achieved our first score over 70% at Grand Prix level in the Grand Prix kur, in which we scored 70.125%. We also finished in third place which was fantastic, but the repeat performance at Boneo Park CDI was really special," Farrell admitted.

Gareth Hughes, Kate Farrell and Brett Parbery at the 2015 CDI-W Boneo Thrilled with the test, Katharine felt fantastic to finish in the final three, especially as she believed the field of horses competing was stronger than they had ever experienced.

In the lead up to the Boneo Park CDI, Kate was fortunate enough to receive the combined help of both her trainer Brett Parbery and the incredibly talented British WEG team rider Gareth Hughes who journeyed out from the UK. Kate says the lessons were fantastic!

“This really helped to bring out the best in both Luxor and I, focusing on not only the competition ahead but also on fine-tuning our everyday training," she said. "The fantastic facilities and atmosphere at Boneo Park Equestrian Centre helped Luxor to settle easily, meaning he was relaxed and, most importantly, happy within himself and his surroundings.”

The big chestnut Luxor was purchased from PSI in Germany just over four years ago. Luxor was initially discovered as a foal by Dr Ulf Muller and has since become Kate's pride and joy, based at his forever-home Mulawa Performance, an Arabian Stud in Berrilee NSW, where Kate is coached by Brett Parbery.

“Brett has had a wonderful influence on both my riding and Luxor's performance. I love his style of riding and the methods of training he has introduced me to - which have had a huge influence on Luxor and me as a combination. I am the sort of person that responds best to positivity and constructive approaches rather than straight criticism, which I think is why Brett has been such a fantastic coach for us. Other than his obvious talent, Brett has an incredibly positive approach to training, focusing on what you're doing right and how to adjust what your doing to improve what your doing wrong, rather than focusing on the negative aspects of your performance," she gushed about coach.

Kate and Luxor Katharine attends the University of New South Wales, studying a double degree in Design and Media and in Public Relations and Advertising. She is a member of the Elite Athlete Program.

“In my spare time I love going to the gym, painting, designing, learning new skills and trying new activities, and I am definitely a regular at the local movie theatre on a weekend. I love to design all sorts of things and have always been creative and artistic. I have designed the Logo for the international horse festival Horses and Dreams for the past three years, and my Sculpture for my HSC Major Work for Visual Arts was selected for Art Express," she said.

Kate’s plan now for Luxor is to attend the CDI's in Orange, Werribee, Sydney and Brisbane before the 2015 the Australian Dressage Championships.

“Our aim for the 2015 year is to continue to achieve new personal bests in our performances, with the goal to reach 70% or above in a Grand Prix test," she concluded.