Gold rush expected for Rio 2016 as Para-dressage team retain 100 per cent win record

 
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Paralympics
Rex Features

The golden nation of Para-dressage reigned in the team competition retaining their 100% gold record from the past five Games.

However in the individual classes they showed admirable defeat. Lee Pearson, Para-Equestrian veteran, performed very well on the volatile “Gentleman” but was pipped to the post by Paralympic first-timer Joann Formosa, 51.

It seems Gentleman who will be retiring after these Games had been “struggling physically” with the demands of performing every other day over the six days of Para-dressage and thus Lee was able to win bronze in the freestyle event and silver in the individual.

Despite Pearson being tipped for surpassing Tanni Grey-Thompson’s record of 11 golds to become one of Great Britain’s most decorated Paralympians, the pressure of home Games and strength of the new debutantes proved too much.

“Despite suffering with the worst nerves of my entire life, I rode the best test I could have done. I will be as proud of this silver as I will be of the gold medals on the wall.”

The challenge Pearson faced from Joann Formosa was seemingly a tough one, with the competition not being over until the last riders score had been confirmed.

Exciting and nerve-wracking for both the audience and the competitors, the medals Pearson has won at his home Games possibly mean just as much as his Gold medals after facing stiff competiton from many of his rivals.

“It would have been a dream come true to win Gold, but that does not mean I am not pleased with Silver.”

However, gold success was waiting in the wings for Team GB’s Para-Equestrians, as Natasha Baker and Sophie Christiansen won six gold medals between them.

Paralympic debutant Baker blew her rivals away, topping the leader board in every competition she entered. Riding Cabral, in all three of her tests Baker showed experience beyond her 22 years, improvising in the Grade II freestyle when she had forgotten part of her test.

Inspired by her team mate and friend Lee Pearson at the Sydney Games aged 10, Baker shows that the Paralympic motto ‘Inspire a Generation’ is certainly meaningful when it comes down to the world’s most fantastic sporting event.

“Watching Lee at the Sydney Games was a massive inspiration for me. That was when I announced that I was going to win a gold medal.”

Sophie Christiansen riding Janerio 6 was miles ahead of her fellow competitors in all three Grade 1a classes, proving her experience at top level Para-Dressage. She achieved a personal best and also a Paralympic record, and was seemingly delighted with her achievements.

“My family were in the audience watching and that was really special. Some had never seen me on a horse never mind win a Paralympic gold medal!”

It is obvious that all of these Equestrian riders inspire their own and future generations, fitting in perfectly with what the Paralympics are all about.

With the future of Para-Dressage safely in the hands of the future generation, double silver medallist Sophie Wells and double gold medallist Natasha Baker, many can look forward to a gold rush in Rio.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in