After the first day of competition at the Paralympic Games the British team are in the Gold medal position. They have a commanding 16 points in hand over the second placed German team with the Norwegians a further 2 points adrift.
Simon Laurens riding at grade III and making his Paralympic Games debut, started the ball rolling for the British contingent with Ocean Diamond scoring 69%. Lee Pearson, riding new horse Gentleman scored even better with 73.294% to head the grade 1a team test. Sophie Christianson and Lambrusco posted 72% before last team member to go Anne Dunham managed an impressive 75.176% to huge cheers from the vocal British contingent.
Anne, at 59 the eldest competitor at the Games and a veteran of 5 Paralympics, was thrilled with her welsh cob Teddy Edward, who easily scored the highest percentage of the day. “He listened to everything I told him and did everything I wanted,” she said.
Of the Germans Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World scored their highest percentage with a 71.615 riding at grade III level and beating Simon in the process. The remaining two, Angelika Trabert and Steffan Zeibig, both grade II riders, scored 69.4 and 63 respectively.
With the individual medals decided on Monday and Tuesday, and those scores being added to those from the team tests, the team medals themselves will not be decided until Tuesday night. With all the British team members not due to ride until then, it promises to be a nail biting finale.
