Canada finishes Sixth in the Para equestrian individual freestyle

PARIS – Roberta Sheffield finished with a score of 73.187 in the para equestrian individual freestyle on Saturday, good enough for sixth place in her first time participating in the event. 

With her horse Fairuza as her partner, the team was rewarded with a score of 70.933 for their technical skills, and 75.440 in their artistic performance to contribute to their scoring. 

The world number seven ranked para equestrian in her grade, Sheffield was delighted at the opportunity to participate in the individual freestyle for the first time.

“It was an amazing experience to do the freestyle at the Paralympics,” said Sheffield after her routine. “My ambition’s were to finish +70 in each test, and to get into the freestyle, and the team behind me here has done such an amazing job of making that possible. They’ve done a brilliant job supporting me and my horse.

“I couldn’t have asked for more of my horse, I couldn’t have asked for more of my team, they were absolutely epic.”

To start off their routine, Sheffield took the extra effort to walk Fairuza around the ring, ensuring the judges got a good look at the horse from all angles. While this is not part of traditional scoring, many riders, including Sheffield, want to show the best of their contemporary before beginning their performance.

The three-time Paralympian’s music of choice was The First Sight of the New World by Amadeus Indetzki, a nod to what audiences would be in for throughout her routine. 

Having finished sixth in the individual event earlier in the week, the freestyle provided the 43-year-old a chance to showcase her and Fairuza’s full range of skills and personality showcased in the freestyle.

Her performance began by getting Fairuza off to a strong working trot, followed by initiating some rhythm and balance afterwards with a leg yield in the left direction, followed by the same move to the right.

One highlight on the day for Sheffield was the neat turn on Fairuza’s haunches on multiple occasions, the both of them seeming to remain relaxed throughout the entire production. The two seemed to listen to each other throughout.

Sheffield had only positive things to say on her relationship with her beloved partner.

“She’s an incredible horse, we’ve had such a long-term relationship, I bought her almost exactly nine years ago,” says Sheffield. “She’s definitely been a slow burner, she’s got the most amazing mind. Her brain is incredible, she handle’s pressure so well. 

“She’s a little bit crazy but that’s kind of what helps us both get on with each other. We understand each other’s crazy, and we resonate.”

Canada, with ten medals in their Paralympic history in the sport, finished their final ride in Paris 2024 with Sheffield’s individual freestyle. Fairuza received a good pat at the end for a strong performance.