Paralympic dressage rider Jo Pitt dies

Paralympic dressage rider Jo Pitt has died aged 34.

Jo, who was being treated for a rare lung condition (pulmonary veno-occlusive disease) died yesterday (Thursday 2 May).

Grade II rider Jo had right-side hemiplegic cerebral palsy — affecting her mobility.

She made her Paralympic debut in Athens in 2004, where she finished equal eighth with Rockhill Kashmir. She was also reserve for the 2008 Games with Estralita. The pair were part of the gold medal winning team at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, where she also won bronze in the grade II freestyle.

So far in 2013, Jo and Estralita won 10 classes from 12 starts — including taking the grade II title at the Nirvana Spa Para Dressage Winter Championships on Estralita.

 “Jo was a stalwart of paradressage and has fought hard over the last year to establish herself once again as a real medal contender for Britain,” said Will Connell, equestrian performance director.

“She will be fondly remembered and missed.”

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