Paris 2024: Equestriennes put their best hoof forward in team event

By Nicole Chia

Gemma Foo, Laurentia Tan and Hilary Su put up a commendable performance in the para equestrian team event to earn Singapore a 15th-place finish at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games with their combined score of 198.108 on 6 September.

Gemma Foo after completing her routine in the team event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Credit: SNPC/Dyan Tjhia

Teams comprise three athletes, with at least one athlete in either Grade I, II or III and a maximum of two athletes per grade. The team score is determined by the combined results of each athlete on the team. Each grade competes separately, and each athlete-horse combination will perform a series of pre-determined movements which differ by grade. The USA (235.567), Netherlands (232.850) and Germany (223.751) took the podium places.

Hilary Su and her horse Gambler performing their routine in the team event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Credit: SportSG/Jeremy Lee

Paralympic debutante Su was Singapore’s last rider on a clear day at the Chateau de Versailles, with the 33-year-old contributing a score of 55.066 with her horse Gambler. Foo, Singapore’s first rider, performed a fine routine with her horse Banestro to score 69.750. The 28-year-old closes out her fourth Paralympics outing on a good note, having achieved her goal of bettering her score from the Grade I individual event (68.917).

Gemma Foo and her horse Banestro after the team event at the Chateau de Versailles on 6 September. Credit: SNPC/Goh Si Wei

“I felt calm and confident today having been in the arena once before on Tuesday. My borrowed horse, Banestro, was fantastic as usual and I really enjoyed the experience,” said Foo, who has her sights set on the FEI World Championships 2026 and Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to represent Singapore once again. I’ve learnt to take things one step at a time as anything can happen. But today went well. Moving forward, I will be riding my new horse and I’m looking forward to showcasing our partnership in the next major Games.”

Hilary Su during the para equestrian team event on 6 September. Credit: SportSG/Jeremy Lee

For Su, coping with the larger crowd, heat and a sensitive horse was a struggle. "I felt more nervous today as the crowd was bigger ... I felt like I was rushing through the routine. Gambler was also more sensitive today and got spooked so I felt I could have ridden better," said Su, whose personal best is more than 64.000. "My first Paralympics has been fun, especially staying in the Village and competing in the beautiful setting of Chateau de Versailles. A valuable lesson would be to relax and enjoy the experience amid all the competitions."

This learning point was echoed by Tan, who is featuring in her fifth Paralympic Games in Paris. Urging Su to cherish the memories of her Paris 2024 experience, the 45-year-old added: "While it may be easy to reflect on what could have been done better, it is also important to recognise what went well, and to keep that confidence when working on how to improve."

Four-time Paralympic medallist Laurentia Tan making her way out of the arena with her horse Hickstead after the para equestrian team event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Credit: SNPC/Goh Si Wei

Tan also improved on her Grade I individual event score (72.000) with a superb 73.292 effort in the team event. While both her team-mates have concluded their Paris Games, four-time Paralympic medallist Tan and her horse Hickstead (nicknamed Coco) have one more event – the individual freestyle on 7 September, the last day of competition at the Paris Games. 

Two of her four Paralympic medals were won in this event – a bronze at Beijing 2008 and a silver at London 2012. Athletes and their horses perform mandatory movements to music of their choice in the freestyle test. Tan, who has cerebral palsy and profound deafness, will wear a Subpac haptic vest that vibrates to the music so that she can 'feel' and interpret the music as she bids to end her Paris experience on a high.

She said: "Today gave me another chance to ride in the wonderful arena, in the beautiful grounds of the Palace de Versailles. It also gave Coco the opportunity to experience a larger number of spectators, and he seemed to cope very well. This will give him more confidence when performing in the freestyle tomorrow."

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games take place in Paris, France from 28 August to 8 September 2024. For the latest Team Singapore coverage and news, follow Team Singapore on their social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok) or visit the official Team Singapore website.