Singapore teen strikes gold at international Para-Equestrian Dressage competition in Germany.
Singapore’s Gemma Rose Foo placed first in two of the three Dressage events available in her grade at the international Para-Equestrian event, Mannheim Para-Equestrian Championships, held in Germany earlier this week.
16-year-old Gemma beat 11 other athletes from countries such as Belgium, Sweden and Brazil to take home first place in the Team Test on her first day of competition. She placed 5th in the Individual Test on the second day of competition, qualifying to compete in the Freestyle to Music test on the final day, where she once again defeated her other competitors to clinch the top spot.
Gemma, together with teammates, Maximillian Tan and two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Laurentia Tan, will be competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games later this year. They achieved that feat by qualifying as the top team in Asia, and their success also marks the first time an Asian country will send a Para-Equestrian team to the Paralympic Games.
The CPEDI3* event in Mannheim will likely be Gemma’s last major international competition before the Paralympic Games in London.
Supporters who wish to catch Gemma or the Singapore Paralympians in action at the London 2012 Games can purchase tickets directly at http://www.tickets.london2012.com/ from 21 May 2012 onwards, or order through the Singapore National Paralympic Council. The Council can also advise on the athletes’ competition schedules, and packages for airfares and accommodation. Please contact Ms Sylvia Ang, sylvia_ang@snpc.org.sg, for ticketing and package interest.
About the Singapore National Paralympic Council
The Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) is the national body recognised by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and other international disability sports affiliates to represent disability sports in Singapore. A nonprofit organisation, the SNPC selects and coordinates the involvement of Singaporean athletes with disability at major games such as the Paralympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Para Games, the Asian Youth Para Games and the ASEAN Para Games. For more information, please visit www.snpc.org.sg.
About the Equestrian Federation of Singapore (EFS)
The Equestrian Federation of Singapore is the National Sports Association (NSA) for Equestrian sport in Singapore, and an affiliated member of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC) and Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC).
EFS is a charity organization dedicated to pursuing excellence at the top levels of competition, promoting growth and creating awareness of equestrian sport, activities, and industry in Singapore. EFS is also committed to creating a culture of compassion, voluntarism and service through programmes helping the disadvantaged and disabled.
