British grade I combination Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg held their own on day one of the European Para Dressage Championships to claim individual bronze.

Mari and the 18-year-old mare, owned by Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine, posted a superb 75.96%. Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance have continued their phenomenal Paris form to win gold on 78.79%, and the silver was claimed by Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebelle with 77.42%.

Mari was thrilled with her test and the judges liked what they saw, scoring her 7.5s and 8s for the double-mark movements including the medium walk and serpentines, and a full suite of 8s for the mid-way halt.

“It was a really good test. She was just a bit ‘on’ – she was so forward, which was amazing, but if something

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