Singapore’s Laurentia Tan Wins Gold at 2025 FEI Asian Para Dressage Championships

2025 FEI Asian Championships

-- FEI press release

In the first Para Dressage competition included in the FEI Asian Championships 2025 in Pattaya (THA), Laurentia Tan of Singapore claimed an individual gold medal on Wednesday 26 November 2025 aboard Hickstead, with whom she won bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

Riding the Grand Prix Test A for Grade I, Tan took a commanding lead over the field midway through the event in Pattaya, posting a huge 74.375% that couldn’t be topped.

Tan’s compatriot and another Grade I athlete Gemma Rose Jen Foo won the silver medal with Mona Lisa, earning 68.125% as the final pair of the day. Representing Hong Kong, China, Fleur Schrader and Todays Special proudly accepted the bronze medal. The Grade III pair earned 66.467% as the first up of the day to put pressure on the rest of the start list at the Thai Polo Club.

Horse and human bond on display

The relationship between the athletes and their equine partners was showcased in each of the Grand Prix tests in the inaugural Para Dressage event. Tan, whose Grade I class competes with the highest level of impairment, is also deaf. But her harmony with 13-year old KWPN bred Hickstead (by Brainpower x Visioen) demonstrated their dedication to each other and overcame any obstacles in the arena.

The winning test featured walk-only movements, which is particularly difficult, as rhythm and suppleness must be constant, and there can be no breaking into a trot. Tan showed the 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood’s activity to perfection, and their outstanding extended walk and square halt contributed to their score of 74.375%, with the judge at E giving them a 77 for their performance.

Tan, who has five Paralympic medals under her belt, looked thrilled after her final salute. "It’s amazing to be here at the first Asian Championships for Para Dressage," said Tan.

‘A lovely relationship’

Gemma Rose Jen Foo, also of Singapore, was equally elated with her Grade I test aboard Mona Lisa, whom she calls “a special friend.” Their mid-test halt was a hair short of the required five seconds, but they made up for it with an ultra relaxed extended walk with a long stride and a textbook halt at the end of the centre line.

The Dutch Warmblood mare (by Flavio x Ferro) is only eight years old and shows tremendous promise in the Para Dressage ring.

“It’s a wonderful partnership,” said Foo, still glowing from their silver medal score of 68.125%. “We worked hard to be in this position.” Like her competitors, Foo is thrilled to see Para Dressage added to the disciplines at Pattaya: “It’s such a joy to be here for the first time with Mona Lisa.”

Attentiveness wins the bronze

For bronze medalist Fleur Schrader of Hong Kong, “there is always more to work on” with 14-year-old Todays Special (by Chacoa x Ballysimon), owned by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. However, their Grade III test, which included both walk and trot elements, showed few errors and improvement in the marks as it went on.

“Pesto,” as the horse is known around the stables, communicated constantly with his human partner throughout the test. It resulted in a high harmony score, for 66.467%. They had to wait for the entire rest of the field to finish, but in the end it got the pair a bronze medal.

Said Schrader of her former Wellington mount: “We’ve been together for over a year now. He’s very friendly, very willing — that’s what you want in a partnership.”

“I was very happy with my medium trots,” she added. “I was aiming for fluidity, and I think I got that today.”

Hong Kong’s Dressage Chef d’Equipe Corinne Bracken is enthralled with Pesto’s second career after competing as an Eventing horse and his bond with Schrader. Bracken told the bronze medalist: “Go into that test as if you own Thailand!” and her infectious confidence paid off.

Strong scores predict fierce team competition

There were a number of stellar performances on offer for fans on Thursday, which points to what is sure to be an epic battle between Singapore and Hong Kong for the team medals.

Tin Chi Timothy Tsang of Hong Kong, who has competed in two FEI World Equestrian Games, finished fourth with Cethegus M on 66.233% (Grade III). Fifth place went to Lok Yee Louie Lam, also of Hong Kong (Felaini S, 64.586%, Grade II). Singapore’s Hui’en Hilary Su ended her day in sixth place (Gambler, 64.133%, Grade III).

Following a day of rest, the team medals will be contested on Friday, pitting Singapore against Hong Kong in the Grand Prix B test for all Grades. Para Dressage competition will conclude on Sunday with individual medals awarded in the Grand Prix Freestyle.