A pair of equestrian heroes from Crete have returned home from what they consider a golden adventure at the FEI World Equestrian Games, held August 6-15.
Having acquitted themselves splendidly, Para-dressage athletes Michalis Kalarakis and Dimitra Eleni Pantechaki returned to Heraklion after being the first Greeks to ever compete in Para-dressage at a world championship.
From the beginning of 2022, scores of athletes have competed in international competitions to qualify for the world equestrian championships in Herning, Denmark. For two Greeks from Crete island to qualify among the top 16 in the world, is nothing less than extraordinary. In all, 49 teams from around the world competed for top honors in the individual, team, and freestyle events.
For those who watched via FEI’s Youtube live feed, the expert commentators made a special point of Kalarakis’ and Pantechaki’s commitment. The broadcasters took note of the team traveling over 3,300 kilometers from Greece’s southernmost island. The fact the pair were the first Greeks to take part in WEG Para-dressage, also became a theme. Even Kalarakis’ mount, dubbed “Tony the Pony” be the equestrian community, became symbolic of the Greek effort.
Now, two young riders who began their equestrian journey at Crete Riding Academy as therapy for serious disabilities, have registered themselves among Olympians and world champions. Both athletes, under the mentorship and coaching of the academy’s director Marianna Grammatikaki, are now vying to qualify for the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. The Cretan equestrian coach went on to applaud her athletes saying:
“Dimitra-Eleni and Michalis proved once again, that if we dream and believe, anything is possible. Without the benefit of teammates, and virtually no money, and not even their own horses, they accomplished something wonderful for themselves, for Greece, and for their fellow Cretans.”
Grammatikaki, who’s a member of the Hellenic Equestrian Federation and the European Para-dressage commission, went on to say it was the vision, discipline, and stubbornness that propelled these extraordinary riders thus far. Her Crete Riding Academy has coached equestrians in 3 Olympic disciplines since 2005. Most recently, athletes from the academy brought home gold, silver, and bronze medals from the Balkan Championships in 2016.
Next, the athletes hope to qualify in the coming 2023 season for the Paris Paralympics. Their path there, will be steeper than the trail to the WEG 2022 games. The competition from international independent equestrians is tough.
Dimitra-Eleni Pantechaki finishing 16th, and her colleague Michalis placing 11th was a monumental accomplishment for many reasons. Experience at this level of competition is vital for continued upward movement in the ranks but also as a critical confidence builder for riders and their mounts. Marianna Grammatikaki summed up the team’s feelings about Herning in this way:
“We hope that this success will give us the clout to ask for what we need continue down this road, and to pave the way for other people with disabilities riding. For this is an activity which is good for the body and the soul.”
We asked the academy director about the next steps/competitions, but neither she nor her riders had any rigid strategy laid out for 2023 and beyond. With their stunning accomplishment behind them, they gave the impression they’d all given everything they had. Having watched from the wings, I am sure the Cretans left nothing untried or efforted in the arena at Herning.
