Britain remain Paradressage World Champions

Britain retained Paradressage World Championship gold at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire on 21 July, where they also picked up two gold and three bronze individual medals.

Athens triple gold medalist Lee Pearson (pictured) led the way on new ride Altino, scoring 77.33% to add to yesterday’s 77.17% in the grade 1b. He pulled off a flowing, forward test, despite Altino’s last minute disobedience in the holding arena, to take individual and team gold.

“He was doing some nice airs above the ground,” said Lee. “I’ve never had to ride so carefully through a test.”

New team member Simon Laurens was “gutted” to finish fourth today, just outside the individual medals in the grade 3 — just as team mate Anne Dunham did in the grade 1a.

But the squad’s combined scores from the team and individual tests were enough to secure team gold and put Germany into second position.

Britain’s Debbie Criddle and Sophie Christiansen won the team test in preparation for the individual competition, where both slipped down but still took bronze.

Grade 1b rider Ricky Balshaw also won bronze, his first championship medal, while grade 2 Nicola Tustain took her third gold individual medal riding Hotstuff before announcing “Bovril’s” retirement. The pair will contest tomorrow’s freestyle as their finale, where the Brits have a good chance of securing further individual medals.

Don’t miss Horse&Hound 26 July for a full report and pictures from the World Paradressage Championships

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