Para-dressage stars aiming for European gold

Britain will have a very good chance of retaining their unbroken run of team gold with a strong squad of riders selected for the FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Deauville (17-20 September).

Gold rush

London 2012 gold medallistsNatasha Baker MBE(Grade II), Sophie Christiansen (Grade Ia), Lee Pearson (Grade Ib) and Sophie Wells (Grade IV) have all been selected, along with four-time ParalympianAnne Dunham (Grade Ia).

The Brits are the reining Paralympic, European and World Champions, and have dominated in the sport of Para-dressage since the sport began. But the standard of other countries is rising at speed, and at last summer’s FEI World Equestrian Games some riders missed out on individual gold medals.

New names

Two of the selected horses are making their championship debut, including Sophie Christiansen’s Athene Lindebjerg and Natasha Baker’s Sookie St James. “It’s been her first international season this year; she’s done over and above what I imagined and I’m just so proud of her,” says Natasha. “She’s going to be the youngest horse on the team and for the selectors to have so much confidence in her is amazing,” she says.

Lee Pearson’s Zion is at his second championships, following last year’s WEG, while Anne Dunham’s ride LJT Lucas Normark competed in the last Europeans in 2013.

Sophie Well’s 13-year-old Valerius is one of the most experienced horses in the squad, with two championships under his belt. “The relationship with ‘Reece’ is much stronger now that we’ve had more competition experience and we will continue to build on our performances,” commented Sophie.

Strong

Chef d’Equipe David Hunter believes the team has a good chance of continuing their gold medal-winning ways. “It’s as strong a squad as ever and it’s great to see some new horses coming through to make their senior team debuts, while it’s exciting to have new combinations stepping up to the mark in our two reserves,” he says.

All five riders will compete as individuals at the championships, while the final team of four will be announced closer to the competition.

Sophie Christiansen and Sophie Wells are also selected as direct reserves with their other rides, Janeiro 6 and C Fatal Attraction respectively. The non-travelling reserves are Heather BennettandNicky Greenhill, both Grade III riders.

Equestrian Team GBR is supported by the UK Sport National Lottery-funded World Class Programme.

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