Brits win three golds and two silvers on final day of Paralympic dressage

Britain has added another three golds and two silvers to its medal hauls following the final day of dressage at the Rio Paralympic Games.

Having already claimed team gold earlier this week, the British quartet of Natasha Baker, Sophie Christiansen, Sophie Wells and Anne Dunhams were all back in action on Friday in the Freestyle event.

Great Britain’s individual rider Lee Pearson was also back in the arena in the Deodoro Olympic Park, claiming a gold medal after finishing with silver in the individual test.

Riding to music from the Avengers, Lee scored 77.400% to finish nearly one percent ahead of Austria’s Pepo Puch. It was his eleventh gold medal.

“I love that horse, I just went for it today,” said a delighted Lee. “I’m so grateful for him, everyone who’s helped me since 1998 who has helped me on my journey, my team at home and here. I have the best horse and the best team and it all came together today.”

Also picking up gold was Natasha Baker, riding Cabral in the Grade II Freestyle competition.

Riding to music from the film Avatar, Natasha scored highly throughout her test, in particular for horse/rider harmony and choreography. Her final score of 77.850% put them ahead of The Netherland’s Rixt Van Der Horst.

It was a particular poignant win for Natasha, as it was her final championship test with Cabral, who took her to her first Paralympics and to double gold in London 2012.

“For our last championship test together I think it was just magical. He deserves to go out with a bang and after the five Paralympic Gold medals he’s won, three here and two in London, he’s a legend,” she said.

In the Grade Ia, there was another repeat of the British one-two with Sophie Christiansen and Anne Dunham finishing in gold and silver.

Anne Dunham was the first up for Great Britain with Lucas Normark, and she went into the lead with a score of 76.050%.

Sophie Christiansen and Athene Lindebjerg were the last combination to go, and a huge score of 79.700% gave Sophie another gold medal to add to her huge haul.

“It’s amazing, I’m so proud of all my team, I’m just thrilled,” she said.

In the Grade IV section, Sophie Wells just missed out on gold with Valerius. Riding to brand new music by Tom Hunt, Wells scored 76.150% to finish fractionally behind Belgium’s Michele George with 76.3%, in a reversal of Wednesday’s results.

“I’m so happy to come and get individual gold and now silver, I went out there and really enjoyed it today. You dream of this stuff happening and when it does happen it’s amazing,” said Sophie.

Full results can be found on the Rio 2016 website