Paralympic horses soak up some Rio rays as seen on social media
In the early hours of 4 September Britain’s Paralympic horses arrived at Rio’s Galeao airport.
This followed a lengthy overnight flight from Belgium’s Liege airport on a specially adapted cargo plane.
With Paralympic dressage competition now in full swing, we take a look at what has been happening behind the scenes thanks to social media.
See how the horses are settling into their Paralympic surroundings:
Sophie Wells gives her Paralympic ride Reece a workout in the Brazilian heat
7am ride this morning before the temperature reached 36 degrees 🌞😅 just a gentle trot stretch and some walk work for the boy today all ready for our individual dancing tomorrow 😃🌟❤️🇬🇧Posted by Sophie Wells Mbe Dressage on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
What a night! The Paralympic opening ceremony was a sight to behold, with Team GB being led by flag bearer and dressage rider Lee Pearson
Incredible night ❤Posted by Natasha Baker MBE – Paralympic Dressage Rider on Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Natasha Baker gets off to a winning start
Wow!!! What a tense few hours… JP and I were 5th to go in our class and had a tricky start to our test. He got…Posted by Natasha Baker MBE – Paralympic Dressage Rider on Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Lee Pearson says hello to his Paralympic mount in the state-of-the-art stables
Look who I've found in Rio !!Posted by Sir Lee Pearson CBE on Monday, September 5, 2016
Nothing can get in the way of the British support — this spectator is enterprising in his use of a broom to ensure optimal flag waving
.@ParalympicsGB equestrian team lead at the half way stage of the team comp – the team medals decided on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/m6Eam7vj1H.@ParalympicsGB equestrian team lead at the half way stage of the team comp – the team medals decided on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/m6Eam7vj1H— Equestrian Team GBR (@TeamGBR) September 13, 2016— Equestrian Team GBR (@TeamGBR) September 13, 2016
Lee Pearson gives his horse Zion some arena practice
Zion in the Paralympic Dressage Arena !Posted by Sir Lee Pearson CBE on Thursday, September 8, 2016
So this is what the athlete’s canteen looks like
The food hall! #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/qJQzgRmEatThe food hall! #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/qJQzgRmEat— Sophie Christiansen (@SChristiansen87) September 10, 2016— Sophie Christiansen (@SChristiansen87) September 10, 2016
The British Paralympic team doing their country proud
ICYMI @SChristiansen87 & Anne Dunham top the Grade Ia Team Test! https://t.co/fA4dLZxslr #JoinTheJourney pic.twitter.com/oLbc1MW6RKICYMI @SChristiansen87 & Anne Dunham top the Grade Ia Team Test! https://t.co/fA4dLZxslr #JoinTheJourney pic.twitter.com/oLbc1MW6RK— Equestrian Team GBR (@TeamGBR) September 13, 2016— Equestrian Team GBR (@TeamGBR) September 13, 2016
Sophie Christiansen spends some quality time with her horse behind the scenes
So proud of this girl today! Cool as a cucumber in main arena with lots going on. So mature for just a 9 year old. pic.twitter.com/WTOrOAAwj7So proud of this girl today! Cool as a cucumber in main arena with lots going on. So mature for just a 9 year old. pic.twitter.com/WTOrOAAwj7— Sophie Christiansen (@SChristiansen87) September 8, 2016— Sophie Christiansen (@SChristiansen87) September 8, 2016
Read the full Horse & Hound Paralympic report in next week’s H&H magazine (22 September issue)
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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.