Wells claims Britain’s first para World Equestrian Games medal

Sophie Wells claimed Britain’s first paradressage medal at a World Equestrian Games, winning individual gold in today’s grade IV competition. Sophie pulled off an expressive, forward, fault-free test riding Dr Jackie Walker’s Pinocchio to an impressive 71.677% score.

She told H&H: “He was a bit difficult in the warm-up today so I was really quite pleased with my test. He can just hold himself a little bit when he gets worried and he came against me to start with in the canterwork but settled again quickly so that was great.”

Sophie is now looking forward to doubling her medal haul in Sunday’s freestyle.

“He can have a day off before then which is ideal as he’ll be fresh,” added Sophie. “I think the music will sound good in the covered arena. I’ve had to change my floorplan to incorporate the simple change they’ve introduced in the test requirements, but I know my music inside out so it should be fine.”

There are no Brits in this afternoon’s grade III competition, but Britain’s two other individual riders – Ricky Balshaw and Emma Sheardown – will compete tomorrow along with team members Lee Pearson, Anne Dunham, Sophie Christiansen and Jo Pitt. After all the team riders have performed their individual tests tomorrow we will know the final team standings. Britain led overnight, finishing just a few marks ahead of the Netherlands and Germany in third.

For full report, results and pictures, don’t miss H&H out 14 October

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