Falsterbo, Sweden – July 12, 2019 – Israeli Grand Prix dressage competitor Micah Deligdish and Diamante Farm’s Danish Warmblood gelding, Destiny, are celebrating their success after qualifying for the 2019 FEI European Championships after their performances at the Leudelange CDI4* and the Falsterbo CDI3*.
A partnership that only began four months ago, Deligdish and Destiny have picked up steam since their CDI debut at the Grand Prix Level during the Tryon Spring Dressage I CDI3* in April. They continued their campaign competing throughout Canada, where Deligdish earned a fourth place finish for Israel in the Grand Prix Special with a 66.043% at the CDI3* Ottawa Dressage Festival and a third place finish in the Grand Prix Special at the CDI3* Caledon Spring Jubilee.
Micah Deligdish and Destiny. Photo by Koem Gomes.
With the goal of earning qualifying Grand Prix scores in order to represent Israel at the prestigious FEI European Championships, Deligdish made their European debut at the CDI4* Leudelange in Luxembourg on Saturday, July 6, with a score of 65.543%.
This week, Deligdish and Destiny made the trip to Sweden to compete in the Falsterbo Horse Show. Together, Deligdish and Destiny received their final qualifying score of 65.717% in the Grand Prix on Friday, securing their spot in the 2019 FEI European Championships, which will be hosted in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Micah Deligdish and Destiny. Photo by Koem Gomes.
“Destiny is in top form and he was amazing the past two weekends,” Deligdish said. “Our month training together in Germany really paid off and we are really starting to work well together and figure each other out. We are communicating better in the ring and I am able to show off his strengths. He is also trusting me more in the ring and he feels really great.
“The atmosphere is very electric at Falsterbo,” Deligdish continued. “It’s a big arena with a lot of spectators. There was so much energy in the ring and Destiny really fed off of it in a positive way. We went in and had such a good time – I think I smiled throughout the entire test!”
The FEI European Championships features approximately 70 of the best horses and athletes in international dressage competition and will serve as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Deligdish will be joined by her teammate, Eyal Zlatin, in Rotterdam, which will be the first time in history Israel will be represented by two dressage riders at the championships.
“Qualifying for [the FEI European Championships] and this entire experience feels surreal – I’m living the dream,” Deligdish said. “This horse gave me the opportunity to train and compete in Europe and I am so incredibly thankful. There was a lot of pressure I put on myself and I could not have done this without Destiny or the people he has brought into my life. The quality of riding and training I’ve been exposed to over the past few weeks has been an incredible educational opportunity.
“Looking forward, we will take a well-deserved break and then work on fine tuning our training and improving parts of the test that need finessing,” Deligdish continued. “I feel ready for Rotterdam. With Destiny and I’s bond getting stronger, I am looking forward to it and honored to represent Israel.”
Micah Deligdish and Destiny. Photo by Koem Gomes.
To learn more about Deligdish and follow her career representing Israel, please visit her website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
