Latest from Horse & Hound in Paralympics

Fancy volunteering at LA28 Olympic equestrian events? Find out how...

Lucy Elder — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 12:01:25 +0000

Fancy joining the ranks of LA28 Olympic equestrian volunteers? Applications to be part of the crew at the Olympic (14 to 30 July 2028) and Paralympic Games (15 to 27 August 2028) are now open.

Applicants are asked to select up to two zones in which they would prefer to volunteer – the equestrian events are taking place in the Arcadia zone. The online form states that “preferences will be taken into consideration, but cannot be guaranteed”.

People are asked to give a first, second and third choice of role. These include sport, driver, medical, operations, technology, ceremony, communications and more.

Nine-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis, who won four gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, is an official ambassador for the LA28 volunteer programme; he said that “the role of a lifetime is waiting”.

“I know what it means to compete on the world's biggest stage, and I know first-hand that the magic of the Olympic Games is not just made by the athletes – it is made by the people who show up to support them,” he said.

“Los Angeles has always shown up for me, and now it's our turn to show up for the world. If you want to be part of something historic, apply today.”

Up to 60,000 people will make up the volunteer crew for the 2028 Games. Some roles require specialist skills, for areas such as medicine and translation, and there are spaces in the application form for people to highlight these.

“In 2028, the world’s attention will be on LA as the world’s best athletes make history, but it's the crew behind the scenes that help make those moments possible,” said LA28 chief executive officer Reynold Hoover.

“Their impact cannot be overstated – behind every event, every venue and every moment will be the LA28 volunteer crew, ready and eager to play a vital role in the delivery of the LA28 Games.”

For information, visit: https://volunteer.la28.org/en

● Do you enjoy volunteering? What have been some of your favourite memories and why should people get involved? Let us know your thoughts at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your thoughts published in a future issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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‘Important milestone’ as equestrian competition timetable released for LA28 Paralympics

Lucy Elder — Thu, 28 May 2026 16:37:52 +0000

The competition timetable for para dressage at the LA28 Paralympic Games (15 to 27 August) has been revealed.

The first trot-up will take place the day before the opening ceremony (14 August) and competition will be spread across six days, including one rest day, from 16 to 21 August. As with the Olympic competitions, the para dressage events will take place at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia.

“Following the comprehensive presentation by LA28 at the FEI General Assembly 2025 and the confirmation of the Olympic competition schedule, the announcement of the Paralympic timetable is another important milestone,” said FEI president Ingmar De Vos.

“The schedule is compact, balanced and designed with horse and athlete welfare at its core. Three non-competition days are built in to allow horses and athletes to settle in, prepare and recover, while also providing flexibility should unforeseen circumstances arise.

“We are very pleased with the progress being made towards the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events and look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the organising committee over the next two years.”

Mr de Vos added that the FEI welcomes the fact para dressage retains its number of medals and quota places from Paris 2024.

“Strong foundations are now in place, and we are confident LA28 will deliver exceptional Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events in a truly outstanding venue,” he said.

Competition is set to take place in the mornings and from mid-afternoon into the evening, with gaps in the timetable from around noon until 3pm.

The timetable is provisional at this stage, but as it stands today (28 May), the para dressage competition opens with the individual medals (16, 17 and 18 August), followed by the team medals (19 August). There is a rest day on 20 August and all freestyle medals will be decided on 21 August.

The timetables for all other sports have also been revealed and the full schedule features more than 1,100 hours of competition.

“The Paralympic Games are a must-see elite sporting event,” said Janet Evans, LA28 chief athlete officer.

“As the world’s third largest sporting event, they celebrate athletic excellence at the highest level, demonstrating relentless determination and the limitless potential and power of sport. With more sports and days of competition than ever before, LA28 is setting the stage for a legendary Paralympic Games.”

Ileana Rodriguez, LA28 vice-president of Paralympic strategy and relations, added: “We have the opportunity to break barriers and redefine what the Paralympic movement and disability representation can mean for the next generation.

“We have the chance to shine a brighter light on more Paralympians than ever before, and I cannot wait for fans everywhere to witness the extraordinary athleticism and unforgettable moments that their performances are sure to bring.”

See the full para dressage timetable for the LA28 Paralympic Games below

(Image credit: FEI)

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‘Uniting in celebration’ : timetable released as organisers mark 1,000 days until LA Paralympics

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 18:09:13 +0000

The organisers of the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics have marked 1,000 days until the start of competition by releasing the timetable – and dressage medallists will be among the first to be crowned.

The Games start at Santa Anita Park on 13 August 2028 and run until 27 August. Dressage runs over five days, 16-19 and 21 August.

“The FEI is very much looking forward to the Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028,” FEI dressage, para dressage and vaulting director Ronan Murphy told H&H.

“The competitions will showcase top-level sport. Just as the Olympic events, para equestrian will be held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia. The venue’s breathtaking backdrop and close proximity to downtown LA will attract a large audience and we can’t wait for new fans to discover our sport.”

The Paralympic qualification system was approved at the FEI General Assembly this month; the first opportunity to qualify will be at the World Championships in Aachen next year.

“The schedule by medal session will be published next year and preparations are well under way for a great Paralympic Games Los Angeles 2028,” Mr Murphy said.

This will be the first time Los Angeles has hosted the Paralympics; when the city was last home to the Olympics, in 1984, the Paralympics were held in New York, and Stoke Mandeville in Britain.

“In just 1,000 days, we will make history by hosting the first-ever Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, one that will feature the most women athletes ever competing on this world stage,” said Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass.

“I can’t wait to celebrate the elite athleticism and determination of some of the world’s greatest athletes and to see Los Angeles shine.”

The first five sports to name LA28 Paralympic champions will be athletics, fencing, shooting, equestrian and track cycling.

“We’re excited to mark 1,000 days from the LA28 Paralympic Games as we set the stage for athletes, fans and the global community to unite in a celebration of sport, resilience and human potential,” said LA 28 CEO Reynold Hoover. “The Paralympic competition schedule reflects our athlete-first approach in planning and creating unforgettable competition moments across the region as we prepare to welcome the Paralympic Games to Los Angeles for the very first time.”

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Britain ‘targeting success’ as details of LA28 Paralympic dressage confirmed

PA33A3 Los Angeles, APR 8: Horse racing in Santa Anita Park on APR 8, 2018 at Los Angeles, California (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

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Hopes of ‘truly outstanding’ LA28 Olympic Games as equestrian competition schedule released

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‘Now is the right time’: medal-winning superstar bows out aged 17

Becky Murray — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:34:08 +0000

Danish Paralympian Tobias Thorning Joergensen announced the European Para Dressage Championships was to be his long-term partner Jolene Hill’s swansong.

The 17-year-old Blue Hors Schufro Hit daughter bows out on a high after being part of the Danish team that won bronze, and claiming two individual silvers, in Ermelo.

Tobias and Jolene won medals at all five championships she and Tobias have competed in. The pair won double individual gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, the 2022 World Championships in Herning, the 2019 Europeans in Rotterdam and the 2023 Europeans in Riesenbeck. They were part of the team that won bronze at the 2019 Europeans, and the team that won silver at the 2022 Worlds.

Since they burst onto the stage in 2019, Tobias and Jolene have won 29 of their 47 international starts. Jolene missed the Paris Paralympics last year owing to health concerns, and Tobias said she had spent time in hospital at the start of this year with stomach problems.

“I’m just really happy to be back in the arena with her. She’s been through a lot this last year, and I just want to enjoy the last ride with her,” said Tobias, after their grand prix A test on Wednesday last week (3 September), in which they won silver.

“She’s been very unlucky this year, but everything is ok now and she’s happy.”

Tobias and Jolene enjoyed a brilliant three performances at the European Para Dressage Championships, helping Denmark to team bronze. The pair enjoyed their last dance on Sunday (7 September) in the freestyle, finishing on 79.80% for the silver medal, behind Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq, who won gold with 80.63%.

“There’s a lot of emotions, when I came out of the freestyle I was crying for 30 minutes,” said Tobias.

“Now is the right time for her. After everything she’s been through, I’m proud of her to have been able to come here, and I think she deserves to end with three medals for everything she’s done for me – and for para dressage in general.”

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Britain ‘targeting success’ as details of LA28 Paralympic dressage confirmed

Lucy Elder — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:42:33 +0000

Leading figures in equestrian sport have welcomed the confirmation of the venue, competitor numbers and medals for dressage at the LA28 Paralympics.

Para equestrian was among the 22 sports confirmed in 2023 for the next Games (15 to 27 August 2028), but yesterday’s announcement from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) fleshes out the details.

The number of horses and riders in the dressage at LA28 will remain the same as it was for Paris 2024 (78 quota places) and there will be 11 medal events: individual and freestyle medals for each of the five grades, plus a set of team medals.

The venue will be Santa Anita Park, which is also host to the Olympic equestrian events at LA28.

British Equestrian performance director Helen Nicholls told H&H it is “fantastic” to have this confirmation.

“The sport is developing rapidly, and the stunning setting will be a fitting backdrop for our elite riders and horses to deliver spectacular performances,” she said.

“Every [British] rider from Paris achieved a medal, and we will again be targeting success across all grades – a high bar but one on which I have every confidence in the team to deliver.”

FEI secretary general and president of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations Sabrina Ibáñez said the FEI is “very happy”.

“The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Château de Versailles, were unforgettable and brought tremendous excitement to equestrian sport,” she said.

“Athletes and horses from 30 nations competed in para equestrian dressage in Paris, the largest turnout since para equestrian became part of the Paralympic programme in 1996.

“Both the Olympic and para equestrian dressage events were historic successes attracting massive live crowds and captivating broadcast and streaming audiences around the world.”

She added: “We are pleased to confirm that our Paralympic quota places remain unchanged for LA28. We look forward to showcasing the sport at its highest level, with thrilling performances and world-class competition.

“Santa Anita Park in Arcadia will provide first-class facilities to both the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events, setting the stage for unforgettable Games.”

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2032 Olympic venue proposal ‘confirms expectations’ of horse sport at the Games

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 14:33:07 +0000

The proposal of a venue for equestrian events at the 2032 Olympics and Paralympics “confirms expectations” that horse sports will feature in Brisbane.

The 2032 Games organising committee has put forward the existing facility at Toowoomba, about 78 miles from the centre of Brisbane.

“Equestrian Queensland has partnered with the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland (Toowoomba Showgrounds) to improve the current equestrian facilities at the showgrounds,” an Equestrian Australia spokesperson said. “This work also includes a master plan and business case to develop an equestrian centre of excellence at the showgrounds.

“Once developed, the Toowoomba Equestrian Centre of Excellence [TEC] would offer the ability to host large scale equestrian events (>300 competitors) to a high standard with fit-for-discipline competition surfaces.”

The spokesperson said the improvements would fill an “identified gap in the Queensland equestrian facility market”.

(Image credit: Tarni)

Toowoomba mayor Geoff Mcdonald said: “The proposed TEC will deliver the region a world-class equestrian facility that broadens its capability to provide equestrian events at the state, national, and international levels.

“Further, the TEC will provide athlete pathways, rider education, and social and commercial opportunities to benefit the region for generations.”

An FEI spokesperson told H&H the International Olympic Committee (IOC) intends to decide what sports will feature at the 2032 Games next February.

“The use of existing venues is in line with Olympic agenda 2020+5 and the ‘new norm’ established by the IOC,” she said. “At this stage this is only a venue proposal and not a final decision.

“An FEI delegation will visit the proposed venue and will assess the possibilities for this venue to host the equestrian competitions at the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The proposal of the organising committee to include this venue in the venue masterplan confirms our expectation that equestrian sport will be included in these Games.”

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Paris 2024 rider opens up about her medal-winning ‘Sun King’ – and why horses are the ‘most important judge’

Becky Murray — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:50:52 +0000

The Netherlands’ decorated para dressage rider Sanne Voets has opened up about the special bond she has with her very own “Sun King” Demantur, as she claims her first medal of the Paris Paralympics.

This morning (4 September) Sanne and Demantur won silver in the grade IV individual competition. Sanne’s compatriot Demi Haerkens and Duala won gold, and Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues took bronze.

Sanne and the 16-year-old Vivaldi gelding have built up a remarkable partnership in their nine years together. The pair now hold four Paralympic medals, nine European medals, and six world medals.

“This morning when I was on my way from the village to the stables I just had this thought that with a horse like this, a horse that is everything I could have ever dreamed of, he is my best friend,” said Sanne.

“The path we’ve taken, every decision we have made was for the benefit of the horse. There is no horse like Demantur. With a horse like him, and a team like mine, you always win. Riding Demi and with my team here, being with so many friends and family, I feel like I’m a trillionaire.”

When asked what makes Demi so special, Sanne said “everything”.

“I know that’s a cheesy answer, but it’s literally everything. He is such a special boy. When he first entered my stables he was so shy and insecure, and he has grown a lot as a person,” she said.

“But we did that together. He is always trying his heart out and he has tried so hard to be perfect from the beginning. When things don’t work out, I think he feels like he has let me down, but I tell him: ‘It’s ok boy, I know that you’re trying. You’re a horse, not a human, and it’s enough that you’re trying. We’re learning together, we’re developing together and we’re a team’. And that’s what makes our sport so magical.”

Sanne said she and her team “set the bar even higher” after Tokyo – but the focus was not entirely on medals.

“We focused even more on the way that we work towards the goal. The most important judge to me is my horse. There’s been so many decisions, and so much work in the last three years building towards these Paris Games, and the judges only see the test inside the whiteboards,” said Sanne.

“To me the most important thing is all the work and all the things that have happened before that. Of course this is where the medals are decided, and the field is very strong.”

“All about the Sun King”

The equestrian events of the Paris Paralympics are taking place at the Palace of Versailles, the former residence of Louis XIV, who was known as the Sun King for choosing the sun as his personal emblem.

Sanne Voets revealed that spectators can look forward to a new freestyle from her and Demi at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday (7 September) that will be “all about the Sun King”.

“Demi is my own Sun King. That’s why I waved at the palace today, to say thank you for lending us your property,” said Sanne, who visited Paris last April to learn more about its equestrian history.

“When we heard about the competition being held in this place, which has so much equestrian history, I read up so much about it. I hadn’t been to Paris before and said ‘I have to go there’. I really wanted to feel the atmosphere and learn about its past.”

During her trip to Paris Sanne visited the royal stables where she learned about its 400-year history.

“They told me about things that happened here 400 years ago, and how they still work with horses every day, and still with such a beautiful motto. They work from the belief that our horses don’t owe us anything – horses are not an instrument for us to reach our goals and ambitions, but we are an instrument to help our horses develop into beautiful, strong, healthy, happy athletes,” said Sanne.

“That resonated so much with me, so that made it so much more special for me to be here today.”

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Top British rider to partner rising star in Paris after Tokyo gold medal-winner ruled out

Lucy Elder — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:37:21 +0000

British Paralympic gold medal-winning horse Don Cara M (pictured, top) has been ruled out of Paris, so Sophie Wells will instead partner rising star Egebjerggards Samoa at next month’s Games (3 to 7 September).

Sophie and Don Cara M (Donnie), owned by Rowland Kinch, helped Britain to team gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, where they also bagged grade V individual silver. It was announced today (19 August) that the 15-year-old gelding will not compete in Paris owing to “a minor veterinary issue”.

He will be replaced on the British squad by Sophie’s direct reserve ride Egebjerggards Samoa, an eight-year-old mare owned by The Lady Joseph Trust.

Sophie Wells and Egebjerggards Samoa on their way to taking freestyle bronze at the European Para Dressage Championships 2023. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

This elegant Blue Hors St Schufro daughter wowed on her championship debut at the 2023 Europeans. Although she was relatively green – as expected at only seven years old – she showed enormous potential in her performances as she scooped freestyle and team bronze. She has continued to impress on outings this year, including a massive new freestyle personal best of +82% at Wellington in June. Sophie has been preparing both horses in tandem.

“While this is only a minor veterinary issue, horse welfare is always our top priority and therefore it’s not in Donnie’s best interest to compete in Paris. We’d like to thank his owner, Rowland Kinch, for his unwavering support through this process,” said British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples.

“The talented Egebjerggards Samoa (Diana) will now make her Paralympic debut. It is a fortunate position to be in that, in Donnie and Diana, we have two of the best Grade V horses in the world and I look forward to seeing Diana step into that amazing arena at Versailles.”

Paris will be Sophie’s fourth Paralympic Games. British horses and riders will shortly be travelling to their UK prep camp, before travelling to Paris on 29 August.

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British Paralympic dressage team for Paris 2024 announced: who’s heading to Versailles?

Oscar Williams — Thu, 18 Jul 2024 13:01:31 +0000

The British Paralympic dressage team for Paris 2024 has been announced, with Games debutant and current world number one Mari Durward-Akhurst selected alongside Georgia Wilson plus team stalwarts Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells.

It’s not yet been revealed which three riders will be part of the team who contest the team medals, but all four will ride the individual test (grand prix A), which determines the first set of individual medals. The top eight from each grade in the individual test will also contest the freestyle for a second medal opportunity.

Britain has won team gold at every Paralympic Games since the discipline joined the programme. Natasha and Sophie were part of the gold-medal-winning team in Tokyo and both will ride the same horses they did then.

*Update 19 August* Sophie, riding at her fourth Games, will now be riding her rising star Egebjerggards Samoa in Paris after Don Cara M, with whom she was originally selected for the squad, experienced “a minor veterinary issue”.

Natasha will also be competing at her fourth Games and will be riding Keystone Dawn Chorus. It’ll be an emotional occasion for Natasha who returned to riding a year ago after the birth of her son and only returned to competition in May this year.

Georgia will be riding Sakura, who she won two bronze medals (individual and freestyle) with on her Paralympic debut in Tokyo.

Mari will be riding the super-experienced Athene Lindebjerg who won three gold medals at the Rio Games with Sophie Christiansen.

Para equestrian’s team leader, Georgina Sharples, said: “It’s been a very strong campaign for all the British combinations aiming for the Games this year and they certainly didn’t make this an easy decision for the selection panel.

“However, I must offer my congratulations to Mari, Georgia, Natasha and Sophie for being the chosen four and the achievements that lead them to this point.

“There’s a great balance of experience and potential between our four athletes, and I look forward to seeing what they can achieve when we reach Versailles. The competition from other nations has never been fiercer, but we go to Paris with every intention of challenging for podium placings and hopefully we can do everyone proud.”

British Paralympic dressage team for Paris 2024

Grade I

Mari Durward-Akhurst with 17-year-old Athene Lindebjerg

Owner: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine

Breeders: Mr and Mrs Bech

Breeding: by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Alberte Lindebjerg

Grade II

Georgia Wilson with 10-year-old Sakura

Owners: rider, and her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson

Breeder: G Eilberg

Breeding: by Supertramp, out of a mare by Rockstar

Grade III

Natasha Baker with 13-year-old Keystone Dawn Chorus

Owners: Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and Natasha’s parents Phil and Lorraine Baker

Breeder: S Lavendera

Breeding: by Dimaggio, out of a mare by Escudo

Grade V

Sophie Wells with eight-year-old Egebjerggards Samoa Owner: The Lady Joseph TrustBreeder: Anders Green HansenBreeding: by St Schufo, out of a mare by Gribaldi

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Gold medallists and rising stars among British dressage entries for Paris Paralympics

Lucy Elder — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 12:40:20 +0000

The British para dressage entries for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games have been revealed today (14 June).

This list features a mix of experienced combinations, multiple medal-winners and rising stars – both riders and horses.

A squad of four will be chosen from this list to compete in Paris – of these, three will be part of the team, and one will compete as an individual.

Natasha Baker on Keystone Dawn Chorus and Sophie Wells with Don Cara M (pictured, top) were part of the gold medal-winning British team in Tokyo, where Georgia Wilson also won a brace of medals as an individual aboard Sakura.

Mari Durward-Akhurst is the new world number one, across all grades, following a sensational run of form with Athene Lindebjerg – a mare who has had exceptional championship success with several British riders.

Eight-time Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen is among the entries with a relatively new ride. Gabriella Blake and Charlotte Cundall made strong debuts at their senior championship debuts at the 2023 Europeans, while multiple medallist Erin Orford is named with two horses – including C Fatal Attraction, who has won countless medals with Sophie Wells. This would be a first senior championship for Nicola Naylor, who is on a winning-streak with her named ride.

All four horse and rider combinations who took bronze at last year’s Europeans are on the list.

The British para dressage nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Paralympics are as follows:

Grade I

Gabriella Blake with 15-year-old Strong Beau

Owners: rider, Gavin and Estelle Blake

Breeder: S Amos

Breeding: by Spinway Blackthorn, out of a Balda Beau mare

Sophie Christiansen with 13-year-old Gladstone

Owner: Rider

Breeder: JHDekker

Breeding: by Bodyguard Moorland, out of a Santano mare

Mari Durward-Akhurst with 17-year-old Athene Lindebjerg

Owner: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine

Breeders: Mr and Mrs Bech

Breeding: by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Alberte Lindebjerg

Grade II

Georgia Wilson with eight-year-old Faside Got The Love

Owners: rider and her parents, Geoff and Julie Wilson

Breeder: V Sandison

Breeding: by Grey Flanell, out of a mare by San Amour

Georgia Wilson with 10-year-old Sakura

Owners: rider, and her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson

Breeder: G Eilberg

Breeding: by Supertramp, out of a mare by Rockstar

Grade III

Natasha Baker with 13-year-old Keystone Dawn Chorus

Owners: Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and Natasha’s parents Phil and Lorraine Baker

Breeder: S Lavendera

Breeding: by Dimaggio, out of a mare by Escudo

Erin Orford with eight-year-old Dragons Fire

Owners: Neil and Jackie Walker, and Sophie Wells

Breeding: by De Niro, out of a mare by E.H.Hohenstein

Erin Orford with 17-year-old C Fatal Attraction

Owner: Charlotte Hogg

Breeder: EE Brandon

Breeding: by Fidertanz, out of a mare by Tolivi

Grade IV

Nicola Naylor with 12-year-old Humberto L

Owners: rider and Rosalind Emery Kay

Breeder: J. Lamers

Breeding: by Cachet L, out of a mare by Haarlem

Grade V

Charlotte Cundall with 14-year-old FJ VeyronOwners: The Veyron PartnershipBreeder: Active Equestrian GBRBreeding: by Vivaldi, out of a mare by Fidermark

Sophie Wells with 15-year-old Don Cara MOwner: Rowland KinchBreeder: HM MelisBreeding: by Don Jovi, out of a mare by Rafurstinels

Sophie Wells with eight-year-old LJT Egebjerggards SamoaOwners: The Lady Joseph TrustBreeder: Anders Green HansenBreeding: by St Schufo, out of a mare by Gribaldi

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Farewell to ‘one of dressage’s brightest stars’ who ‘made dreams come true’

Becky Murray — Fri, 22 Mar 2024 16:33:49 +0000

Pinocchio, the multiple medal-winning ride of Sophie Wells who “made dreams come true”, has died aged 27.

“Today the boy with the biggest heart went over rainbow bridge. Old age finally caught up with him,” said Sophie on Wednesday (20 March).

Sophie and the chestnut KWPN gelding, who was owned by Neil and Jackie Walker, became a partnership in 2008. The following year they made their championship debut at the European Championships in Kristiansand, Norway, where they won three gold medals – the first from a British rider at grade V (then grade IV).

In 2010 they won double gold at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA, and competed on the able-bodied team at the young rider Europeans, in Kronberg, Germany. Two years later Sophie and Pinocchio won team gold, and two individual silvers, in front of a home crowd at the London Paralympics.

“When I went to try him in 2008, little did I know how he would change my life. At just under 18hh, he was a gentle giant. He made my dreams come true and I was lucky enough to literally do everything with him,” said Sophie.

“He came to me having failed a vetting due to numerous heart issues, but who knew that’s where his journey really began, and not where it ended. He wasn’t easy, but the good horses aren’t, but what he was, was a complete angel – the softest, warm hearted boy.”

The pair’s other achievements included competing at the young rider World Cup final in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2011 – and riding at senior grand prix, including against Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, at Hartpury in 2015.

“He went on to take Emma Sheardown and Izzy Palmer to international competitions and made some more dreams come true,” said Sophie, who added that when Pinocchio retired from competition in 2018, he carried on “doing bits at home” until a few years ago.

“When a horse has been part of your life for 16 years, it’s going to leave a big hole. He literally brightened up the fields as a chestnut in a yard full of black/bays. I will for ever miss seeing his face when feeding him every morning and his little ears pricked.

“Thank you for everything you have taught me, I’m so beyond grateful to have had you in my life. I hope you had the best last few days being pampered and spoiled like the king you are.”

Izzy added that she was “beyond lucky” to ride Pinocchio.

“Thank you for giving me unforgettable experiences, for completely looking after me and for just being a total legend. We’ll never forget you gentle giant,” said Izzy.

A British Dressage spokesman said that “the dressage world has lost one of its brightest stars in Pinocchio”.

“A history-making partnership with Sophie, Pinocchio brought national pride on the Paralympic stage and the younger rider European Championships, winning the hearts of many along the way.”

14,000 new Olympic equestrian tickets to go on sale

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:50:18 +0000

Some 14,000 new tickets will go on sale tomorrow (30 November) for the equestrian events at the Paris Olympics.

It was announced last week that about 400,000 tickets will be on sale from 10am French time (9am GMT), and a spokesman for the organisers has confirmed to H&H that these include the horse sports.

“Tickets will indeed go back on sale for equestrian events,” he said. “Around 14,000 new tickets will be available for the events taking place at the Château de Versailles, across all three disciplines: eventing, dressage and jumping.”

The spokesman said this will include tickets priced between €85 and €330 for the final eventing team session on 29 July, and those from €24 for the showjumping team final qualifier on 1 August.

New tickets will also be on sale for sessions that had previously sold out, at the Olympics and Paralympics. This includes para dressage at Versailles, from 3-7 September, with prices starting at €15.

“All sports will be back on sale, for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, to experience up close the performances of the greatest athletes in the world, the iconic moments of the Games – including all the finals,” the spokesman said. “Opening ceremony tickets will also be available, starting at €90 for the Olympic Games opening ceremony on the Seine and €150 for the Paralympic Games opening ceremony on the Place de la Concorde.

“This will be one of the very last opportunities to experience the Paris 2024 Games in person. And undoubtedly the last ticket release spanning all sessions.”

Organisers warned that the new tickets are likely to sell out fast. There is no draw and all sales will be through the official website, where buyers can create an account before the tickets go on sale.

‘You remained king till the end’: farewell to medal-winning horse bought via Horse & Hound

Becky Murray — Sat, 24 Jun 2023 12:03:28 +0000

Tributes have been paid to a much-loved medal-winning para dressage horse, who was found by chance when his owner Sharon Jarvis was “flicking through Horse & Hound”.

Australian rider Sharon’s KWPN gelding Applewood Odorado, fondly known as “Odie”, has died aged 27.

Sharon and Odie competed at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, where they were fourth and seventh individually. In 2010 they won two bronze medals at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.

Odie was bred in the Netherlands, and produced as a young horse in the UK. He was competed to prix st georges level by Alice Peternell, originally under the name Wonderland Odorado. Sharon found Odie “by chance while flicking through Horse & Hound magazine” while she was in the UK in 2007, competing at the World Championships at Hartpury.

Sharon said as soon as she saw Odie with Alice, she knew he was the horse for her.

“That one ride was enough for me to not want to get off. It then took six months to get you back to Western Australia after getting stuck in UK quarantine during the Australian equine influenza outbreak,” she said.

“You finally got to me the week before Christmas and several short weeks later we were selected for the Beijing Paralympics where we placed a very credible fourth in the individual championship test. We gave you our stud prefix (Applewood) after I sold several ponies and with the help of Mum and Dad I could afford you.”

Sharon said Odie kept her “honest as a rider” and could “spin 180 degrees very quickly”.

“You were sharp as you wanted to be and often had four four feet in the air going in four different directions,” she said.

“But you also knew when it was show time and I always said if you were a human you would either be a comedian or a showman, you loved the spotlight. And you loved doing the demos at interschools for all the admiring kids.”

Sharon added that she “met many wonderful people and gained friendships” because of Odie. Following his retirement in 2012, he spent a couple of years with friends, and then returned to Sharon where he “took up residency being the king”.

“Odie, you remained the king of the property till the end, you were the grandpa babysitter putting all the young ones in their place, reminding them of who you were and to be respected,” said Sharon.

“Thank you to all who were a part of Odie’s life with me. Thank you will never be enough, but thank you Applewood Odorado for all you did for me. Odie, you were much more than just a dual World Championship bronze medallist horse for Australia.

“You made my dreams come true and so much more.”

Sharon Jarvis will be returning to the UK to compete in the CPEDI3* at the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival (4-9 July).

“It feels rather fitting to be getting on a plane on Friday (23 June) to be heading back to compete where it all began so many years ago,” she said.

Another chance for equestrians: Paris tickets ballot reopens 500 days before Games

Becky Murray — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 15:23:24 +0000

There is another opportunity to get tickets for Paris 2024 as the second ballot opens – just 500 days until the Games.

Registration opens today (15 March) and will run until 20 April. Those who are successful in the random draw will be given a 48-hour timeslot to buy single-session tickets for all days of competition across the Games – including those with medal ceremonies.

Prices for the Paris 2024 equestrian tickets start from €24 (£21) for qualifying sessions. The most expensive session is the showjumping individual final, which has a top price of €420 (£367). Subject to availability, any remaining tickets will go on sale later in the year.

On 3 March H&H reported that the first batch of equestrian tickets for the Games had sold out, with fans reporting mixed experiences of the “complicated” ticketing system. The first phase was for packs of tickets only, and required fans to select three sessions to buy any tickets. This meant that if there were only one or two equestrian sessions available to buy when it was someone’s timeslot, they would need to buy tickets for another sport too.

“We’re pleased with the success of our ticketing process,” a Paris 2024 spokesman told H&H.

“This is a new concept in which tickets were offered to the general public around the world through a single, centralised platform.

“Demand, both domestically and internationally, has been strong and there is clearly a real appetite from the public to participate in these Games. Demand for the Olympic Games will obviously outstrip supply. There are bound to be some disappointed people.”

Today marks 500 days until the opening ceremony of Paris 2024. All the equestrian events will take place against the backdrop of the Palace of Versailles. The eventing runs from 27-29 July, the dressage 30 July-4 August, and the showjumping 1-6 August. The Paralympics gets under way on 28 August, with the para dressage competition taking place 3-7 September.

There is still a chance to apply to volunteer at the Games; the organising committee is recruiting 45,000 across the Olympics and Paralympics. Individuals must be 18 or over on 1 January 2024, able to speak French and or English, and available for at least 10 days between 12 July and 10 September 2024. Applications close in May this year, and responses will be sent out to successful applicants between September and December.

Extra £250,000 funding to help Paris medals push – and sport’s future

Becky Murray — Mon, 13 Feb 2023 18:08:40 +0000

Para dressage will receive a £251,000 share of extra funding ahead of Paris 2024.

Today (13 February) UK Sport announced £4m of additional funding for sports preparing for the 2024 summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The investment, which is being shared across 33 sports, will go towards allowing athletes to attend extra qualifying competitions and training. The funds follow an extra £11.2m UK Sport investment announced in December 2021 – and although dressage, eventing and jumping received a £660,662 share of the last pot, only para equestrian will benefit from the latest additional funding.

Britain remains unbeaten in the Paralympics dressage team competition; Lee Pearson and Breezer, Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus and Sophie Wells and Don Cara M retained the title in Tokyo.

“To secure an uplift in funding as we build towards Paris in 18 months’ time is fantastic news and we’re grateful to UK Sport and the National Lottery for this boost at such a crucial time,” said Georgina Sharples, British Equestrian para dressage performance manager.

“With qualification for the Games secured, this welcome additional investment will allow us to ensure the essentials are covered as well as working with the athletes and horses on additional coaching and competition opportunities.”

Ms Sharples added that the extra funding will not only help the British para dressage team’s campaign towards Paris, but also its “strategy and innovations for ensuring the long-term future and success of the sport”.

“To everyone who plays the National Lottery, we can’t thank you enough, you really make a difference,” she said.

UK Sport director of performance Kate Baker said the additional investments are aimed at supporting sports in the run-up to Paris, but also while “keeping one eye” on the longer term.

“It is vital that we focus our resources on supporting our brilliant athletes and staff – with major championships and Paris qualification requirements obviously at the forefront of our minds – and also ensure we continue to strengthen the system going forward,” she said.

Details of how 2024 Paris Games will work revealed

Lucy Elder — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 09:06:37 +0000

Crucial decisions about Paris 2024 were rubber-stamped and fresh details of how the Games will look revealed at the FEI General Assembly (13 November).

FEI president Ingmar de Vos voiced a stark reminder of what rests on the shoulders of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games in his opening speech.

“We have an incredible sport and the IOC [International Olympic Committee] recognises the value of equestrian [sport]. But we are only as good as our last Games,” he said.

“And we are judged on our performance, so we need to continue to keep our sport safe, attract new fans, engage youth and to do what is necessary to appeal to a global audience. Like all other sports in the Olympic programme, we are constantly under review. And again – context is everything – as we have to compete with new sports, new media landscapes and new trends.”

But while eyes are focused on Paris, the wheels of the bigger picture of horse sport’s place in the youth-focused Olympic movement are turning.

Mr de Vos said ensuring horse sport remains in the Olympic and Paralympic programmes is one of the FEI’s “biggest priorities”.

IOC president Thomas Bach visited the eventing World Championships at Pratoni, and was said to be “very complimentary” of the sport “and the willingness of our community to embrace change”. Mr de Vos and FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez have also travelled to Los Angeles to meet the organising committee for the 2028 Games and identify an equestrian venue that “ticks all the boxes”.

“But it will be based on our performance in Paris that our events and disciplines will be confirmed for Los Angeles 2028,” said Mr de Vos.

“As you all know, one of the biggest challenges for us, but also many other sports, is around broadcast figures.

“There were issues with Tokyo 2020, as many fans were unable to find or understand where they could watch our sport, on top of the unfavourable time zone differences. This is something we have already started to address, and will actively work to mitigate for Paris, and ensure equestrian fans and new audiences know where to watch our sport during these Games.”

He added: “The future is on everyone’s lips – and although this future seems to be uncertain, there is one certainty: The youth of today will become the future of equestrian tomorrow. And they already dictate the popularity of sports online. This is a key demographic we must invest in and listen to.”

Paris features a major timetable shake-up – and a new approach to testing the venue’s readiness.

The cross-country course at Versailles will be tested in September 2023, complete with horses and riders. But the testing process in terms of the organising team, arena footing and field of play, will take place off-site some 70km away at Fontainebleau in April 2023 and 2024.

The Olympic equestrian events start on 27 July 2024 (see full timetable, below). Eventing dressage has been condensed into one, long day – as opposed to being split over two shorter days, as has previously been the case.

At past Games, each discipline has concluded before the next starts. But in Paris, the dressage and showjumping competitions alternate through the timetable. The team showjumping competition has reverted to being held before the individual – this was the other way around in Tokyo.

Paris 2024 Olympic timetable (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The competition rules were given the official nod by national federations at the general assembly. Aside from the timetabling, these are broadly similar to Tokyo. Teams of three are here to stay, which was already confirmed, but minimum eligibility rules have been tightened, amendments to how ties are split redefined, and there are also tweaks to the pre-competition competitor changes and substitution rules.

Ms Ibáñez sounded relieved as she told the general assembly an organising team to deliver the equestrian events at Paris had, finally, been appointed with the contract going to GL Events.

Fresh details on how the main arena and Pierre Le Goupil’s Paris 2024 cross-country course will look were revealed in a virtual update by the Paris organisers.

Designs showed the spectacular Grand Canal at the heart of the course, with the intended route looping around it and featuring two pontoon crossings.

GL equestrian director Sylvie Robert told the forum that the Etoile Royale esplanade, at the far end of the Grand Canal, is where the grandstand and main arena will be.

She added that these will be “fully integrated into the landscape to protect the site” and a “very large part of the park will be dedicated to the cross-country track”.

The course features 25 numbered fences, including three water complexes, over a distance of 5,300m with an optimum time of 9 minutes 18 seconds – this is longer than Tokyo, where the course was shortened owing to the climate and horse welfare considerations.

“Our ambition is very clear. To deliver spectacular competition in the best possible conditions for both horses and riders,” said Paris 2024 sport competition director Aurélie Merle, adding that the vision is for a “more responsible and sustainable Games that inspire and engage the whole world”.

Pivotal week for horse sport at Paris 2024: Olympic and Paralympic formats to be thrashed out this week

Lucy Elder — Sun, 24 Apr 2022 20:01:58 +0000

The way horse sport will look at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be thrashed out at the FEI sport forum this week (25 to 26 April).

Teams of three have already been decided – that was given the green light following a vote at the 2021 FEI general assembly (GA) in November, as part of the decisions on qualifying criteria.

But the exact competition format each discipline will take at Paris has not yet been finalised.

Stakeholders had a February deadline to submit proposals and comments on the Olympic and Paralympic format, which give a skeleton to discussions that can be expected at the forum in Lausanne.

The lion’s share of the opening day (25 April) of the forum, held in person for the first time since 2019, has been set aside for debate on the Olympic and Paralympic format.

The headlines for eventing include proposals to strengthen minimum eligibility requirements (MER), and for the Olympic cross-country test to be a 10-minute course with CCI4*-L distance, CCI5* technical difficulties and four-star fence dimensions.

A review of the length and content of the eventing dressage test and reducing the number in the final showjumping round, for individual eventing medals, from 25 to 20 will also be discussed.

The showjumping proposals feature a review of MERs, and a switch in scheduling to have the team before the individual competition.

There is a suggestion of a rule that would allow the ground jury to eliminate a combination during a round, if the partnership is not up to standard.

Increasing MERs in Olympic dressage from 66% to 67% is tabled for discussion, as is using percentages rather than points to calculate the team results.

Decisions cannot be finalised this week – those are expected at the 2022 general assembly. Discussions here are a significant part of the rule-making process, which then includes further drafts and amendments before the final proposals are put to a national federation vote at the GA.

A full revision of the eventing, dressage and para-dressage rules will take place on day two (26 April).

‘Raising the bar’: proposals to launch para dressage World Cup and Nations Cup series

Becky Murray — Sat, 22 Jan 2022 13:33:49 +0000

Creating a para dressage World Cup and Nations Cup series could help the sport evolve and offer more opportunities for riders, stakeholders have agreed.

The topics were among items discussed during a sport structure session of the FEI online para dressage forum (18–19 January). The session, attended by 118 delegates, considered issues including how the sport could be developed, proposals around new test names, and introducing rider age rankings. The final session, on 28 January, will consider classification structure.

Bettina de Rham, FEI dressage, para dressage and vaulting director, shared some of the lessons learnt from vaulting, which went through a “similar” change of rules and sport structure in 2011 with the aim of growing the discipline, recognising the athletes competing at the highest level and opening the door to new international-level athletes.

“We saw a significant growth in numbers; events grew by 300%, we saw more continents organising events and we had a great increase in the number of registered athletes. This offered increased opportunities in officiating for our officials so we could have a better education system for them. All in all, this saw a great improvement in the quality of performances at the highest level, which were much more recognised,” she said.

“In addition to this, today vaulting has a World Cup with finals organised together with jumping, dressage and driving. These finals and World Cup series ensure the athletes and the discipline have great exposure. Para equestrian is already in the Paralympics but I still think there is a lot we can do to put our discipline under more spotlights.”

Ms de Rham said the para dressage technical committee will work on a proposed format for a potential World Cup series and said the committee will “benefit” from the learnings of other disciplines, adding that it is “paramount” to have a format that is not too long, to fit well in the sports programme of an indoor event.

David Hamer, FEI para equestrian committee member and British Equestrian head of performance pathways, discussed proposals around the introduction of a Nations Cup series, which he believes is the “next evolution” of the sport.

“We’ve got some great lessons to learn from the series in showjumping, eventing and dressage, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of the sport by having a formal team competition series,” he said.

“It gives us opportunities not only to look at sponsorship but media attention as well, which can only be good for promoting the profile of the sport and the riders and countries participating.”

Mr Hamer added that a Nations Cup series would give riders who are new to championships an opportunity to ride in a team competition and gain experience in big atmospheres, before they go to Europeans, World Championships or Paralympics.

“There is a massive area here that we could use to test new combinations, that could be riders on younger horses and younger or developing riders coming through, their first exposure in a proper team environment,” he said. “It has a massive opportunity for developing and educating our combinations for championships.”

“If we go up to a CPEDIO4* status we’re raising the bar; at the moment our bar is at three-star and raising it to four-star gives us much more opportunity to test our established combinations and promote the level of technical skill and ability of those competing at a Nations Cup. It could be that the qualification criteria mirrors what we have at Paralympic Games, which we have raised for Paris 2024, so it will be the next step in building the sport for the future where we can use the atmosphere and environment a Nations Cup will provide.”

Feedback from the delegates around launching a World Cup and Nations Cup series was positive, with Paralympic medal-winning rider Sanne Voets stating she believed a World Cup would bring “a lot of opportunities” for the sport and riders and would like to see it embedded in the existing format and events for the dressage World Cup.

British FEI five-star para dressage judge John Robinson said he believed a Nations Cup would increase the profile of para dressage and increase inclusivity in the sport. Dani Fraillon, chair of Equestrian Australia’s high performance para equestrian panel, said a Nations Cup and World Cup would increase the opportunity for para riders to have a voice.

“We need to look at who we have in the sport who can be champions of it, which would give us enormous opportunities for sponsorship and furthering the sport,” Ms Fraillon said. She added that she also works with Australian wheelchair tennis player Dylan Alcott, and that what he has done for his sport had been “extraordinary” in raising the profile of quad and wheelchair tennis, by speaking about the sport to people who would not necessarily know about it.

£700,000 boost for British horse sport’s Paris 2024 preparations

Lucy Elder — Wed, 22 Dec 2021 13:15:31 +0000

AN extra £700,000+ has been confirmed to help British riders win medals at Paris 2024.

The boost is part of an additional £11m funding from UK Sport, which is being spread across 33 sports in the build-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Indicative funding for the Paris cycle was announced in December 2020, but this month’s news is an increase on that.

Equestrian sport will now receive £14,798,869 to help with preparations for Paris. This is broken down into £11,746,626 for the Olympic disciplines and £3,052,243 for para dressage.

This new total is a £701,662 increase on the indicative funding figures shared in December 2020.

Jim Eyre, British Equestrian chief executive, told H&H that the organisation is “extremely grateful” to UK Sport for this uplift in funding following the performances by its athletes in Tokyo.

“It certainly gives a welcome boost to our Paris preparations,” he added. “It means we can put support in where it’s most needed, as well as additional areas, to make sure our teams in 2024 are the best prepared ever and that they arrive in Paris in the optimal position to perform to their potential.”

Minister for sport, tourism, heritage and civil society Nigel Huddleston said the Government has increased its funding for athletes by “over 40% ahead of Paris 2024”. But while extra cash is positive news for horse sport, the total remains a reduction of just over £1.036m compared with funding received for the Tokyo cycle – not including the Tokyo “top-up” funding to support sports owing to the rescheduling of the Games, nor athlete performance awards.

The investments come as a result of the increased comprehensive spending review settlement, announced by the Prime Minister following the success in Tokyo, where riders won 13 of the 189 total British medals.

“The collective pride in what our brilliant Olympic and Paralympic athletes achieved in Tokyo this summer still shines brightly,” said UK Sport chief executive Sally Munday.

“The most exciting element of Tokyo was the breadth of success we saw across both our Olympic and Paralympic teams. To now be in a position to strengthen our investment across so many sports for Paris will undoubtedly help us in our ambition to reach, inspire and unite the nation.”

The increase means that more than 100 athletes in total can be added to World Class Programmes, with hopes this will also strengthen the pathway of those targeting Los Angeles 2028.

UK Sport chairman Dame Katherine Grainger said the organisation is “extremely grateful” to the Prime Minister and the Government for continuing to back sport and athletes.

“Together with the National Lottery, their support of Olympic and Paralympic sport is the fuel which allows our inspirational athletes to perform and succeed on the world stage,” she said.

“We have an ambitious mission to create the greatest decade of extraordinary sporting moments, and we know that we have a brilliant cohort of dedicated and hardworking athletes and coaches who can help us achieve that.”

Opinion Olympic teams of three, new hoops and whose decision is it anyway?

Lucy Elder — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 20:52:03 +0000

For an event that only comes round every four (or five…) years, a month is a surprisingly long time on the Olympic clock.

Teams of three are here to stay for Paris 2024, riding is out of the modern pentathlon from Los Angeles 2028 – whose place in the Games at all after Paris hovers beneath a giant question mark, and there are a new set of hurdles to cross to remain in the Olympics at all in the brave new world of Agenda 2020+5. Keeping up?

I’ll start by addressing the teams-of-three decision for Paris 2024, passed at the FEI general assembly in November.

Whichever side of the fence you sit on, and I agreed it is a grey fence at that, to me it sparked a larger question on the way these massive, sport-changing decisions are made.

Democracy needs transparency to work. If we cannot see who is making the decisions, it becomes impossible to hold them to account.

In simplistic terms, democracy works in the Britain by elected MPs representing the interests of their constituency. Their voting decisions are rightly public.

So I struggle to understand how decisions on the future of our sport can be made by a secret vote. Perhaps there are merits to this system and I would be keen to hear what these are.

Riders do not decide the future of the sport. They can lobby, advise, give evidence and push for change in various ways. But the voting comes down to national federations.

I asked the FEI for a breakdown of which nations voted for or against teams of three at the Olympics and Paralympics. It replied that it was a secret ballot and that details of the way individual countries voted was not available.

British Equestrian was more accommodating. It voted against teams of three, and gave reasons why (news, 25 November).

Given the impact these votes have on riders’ lives and the future of the sport globally, does the FEI not owe it to equestrians to offer full transparency in who is making these decisions? Would that not lead to improved debate and understanding, which would surely benefit the sport globally? The current system is frustrating and riders need to feel that they – and their horses – are being heard and represented. It is their sport, after all.

The secrecy of the vote on removing riding from modern pentathlon was one of the (many) criticisms its governing body, the UIPM, faced in recent weeks. Transparency is key to trust, without it, what hope is there?

Plenty question why the FEI “keeps changing things”. The basic answer is its hands are tied. No sport’s place is guaranteed in the Olympics. It’s a case of adapt or go.

Equestrian is one of the 28 sports proposed for inclusion at Los Angeles 2028 – a welcome step. But that is just the start. Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon are not (at present), a warning sign of what happens to sports that do not meet the International Olympic Committee’s requirements.

Olympic Agenda 2020+5 sets out “six areas for the review of the disciplines” before final decisions are made for each sport. These are: cost and complexity; popularity and host country interest; uniqueness, universality, gender equality and relevance for young people; best athletes and athlete safety; integrity and fairness; and environmental sustainability.

Equestrian sport has so much to give and ticks many of these already, though it cannot afford to be complacent. The world is changing and our sport must really listen to its players and adapt if it is to survive and shine.

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Early plans revealed for ‘most spectacular’ Paris 2024 equestrian venue

Lucy Elder — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:26:32 +0000

The equestrian venue for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games has the potential to be “one of the most spectacular” as preparations continue apace.

FEI director of Games operations Tim Hadaway shared the latest vision for the 2024 Games at the 2021 FEI general assembly (17 November).

The equestrian events will be held in the spectacular grounds of Versailles, with the 17th palace forming the backdrop to the main arena.

“It will of course be a temporary equestrian venue and the arena will be at the end of the grand canal, stretched out in front of the palace,” said Mr Hadaway.

“The cross-country course will run around the park through beautiful tree-lined avenues and all being well, even across the grand canal itself, again with the broadcast images of the palace in the background.”

The stabling, training areas, veterinary facilities and “all the usual back-of-house facilities” will be on site.

“The grooms will be located on the venue in a newly built hotel, just on the perimeter of Versailles park,” Mr Hadaway added. “We expect the modus operandi to be broadly similar to London 2012, with teams being able to arrive just a few days before competition and keeping the stay to a minimum.”

The Paris 2024 Olympics run from 26 July to 11 August, the Paralympics from 28 August to 8 September.

“We are reverting to the traditional [Olympic] timetable, with eventing due to run first over the first weekend of the Games, followed by dressage and jumping intertwined, which enables us to slot in the usual rest days for each of those two disciplines,” Mr Hadaway said.

“We’ve already been working with the teams in Paris for the last two or three years. At the moment, the organising committee are focused on appointing that team who will be specifically responsible for organising and delivering the equestrian events at Versailles, Paris.”

The process to appoint the eventing course-designer started last week and the team hopes to confirm the position “this side of Christmas”. The footing specialist and jumping course-designer roles are likely to be confirmed “through the first part of next year”.

“For me, and I think for many of us, it has the potential to once again be one of the most spectacular venues of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Mr Hadaway said.

Three to a team gets the nod for Paris 2024 despite concerns

Lucy Elder — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 20:50:32 +0000

Teams of three will go ahead at the Paris 2024 Games following a vote that split horse sport’s decision-makers at the FEI general assembly (14-17 November).

The exact formats for the equestrian disciplines in the next Olympic and Paralympic Games are yet to be nailed down – this will happen at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board meeting in February. Rules and minimum eligibility requirements for Olympic disciplines are also still to be consulted on, and the process is expected to run over the next 12 months.

Rather this week’s decision effectively sets in stone a qualification process that culminates in three combinations per team at both the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The three-to-a-team format is contentious in its current guise and FEI president Ingmar de Vos proposed a separate vote on the qualification process to the teams of three point.

H&H has extensively covered riders and national federations’ concerns over the three-to-a-team format. This week, the International Jumping Riders Club shared a video of multiple Olympic medallist Steve Guerdat speaking on the club’s behalf during one of the discussion meetings at the general assembly.

Steve spoke about how there was “fantastic sport” in Tokyo, which was down to the athletes, course-designer and horses – and not the new format.

In his 17-minute speech, he covered riders’ frustrations with the format, including how the individual contest was “over before it started” for some riders, whereas normally championships build towards the last day “when the competition should be at its best”.

He also raised concerns from a horse welfare point of view over “bad pictures” of riders not up to the level, and that a rider should never be put in a position where he had to finish his round or the team is eliminated.

He suggested that increasing the number of individual places and potentially reducing the number of teams, which would be made up of four riders, could be a better way forward. He explained this would increase the number of flags at the Games – a key IOC priority – and help grow equestrian sport in developing nations. This is because not all nations have enough riders at that level to field a team. So by boosting the individual quotas, it would help to build the sport globally and act as a progressive way towards more countries qualifying in future.

“I want to look my daughter in the eyes and say to her that I tried everything until the last battle to save the sport that I love above everything,” he said.

“I hope that together we can achieve what we all think is impossible: that we go back with the four riders and the drop score for the good of our horses.”

A total of 70 national federations voted in favour of teams of three at the 2024 Olympics, with 30 voting against and one abstention.

The Paris 2024 qualification systems for jumping, dressage and eventing were passed, 81 in favour to 15 against.

The vote on the teams of three for the Paralympic Games passed with 79 in favour and 19 against, while there were 90 votes in favour of the Paralympic qualification system and seven against. Para dressage MERs were included in this, as the qualification period starts on 1 January 2022.

The final vote and general assembly was live-streamed, but the discussion meetings held this week were not. An FEI press release gave its summary of the rules and regulations session on Tuesday (16 November), which stated that the Olympic and Paralympic qualification systems for Paris 2024 were the “key topics of discussion”.

The International Olympic Committee set a December 2021 deadline for all sports to submit their qualification systems for Paris. As the Tokyo Games were postponed by a year, this shortened the normal consultation process with national federations.

The FEI press release said Mr de Vos “underscored” that Olympic-style teams of three formats will not apply to other FEI championships, games or finals.

European Equestrian Federation (EEF) representatives presented a last-minute EEF proposal on alternative qualification pathways, based on both teams of four and teams of three.

The proposal called for more emphasis on World Championships and the FEI Nations Cup series as qualification pathways across the three disciplines, rather than regional championships such as the Europeans.

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez is said to have raised concerns that the proposal does not meet the IOC’s Olympic qualification system principles. In the end, this was not the proposal that was voted on.

FEI regional group VIII chair Jack Huang said lack of preparation owing to pandemic lockdowns could explain some less than optimal performances, but that this would be eliminated by strengthening the minimum eligibility requirements for Paris

United States Equestrian director of sport Will Connell called for longer-term thinking on the Olympic formats, to include Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.

Mr de Vos confirmed that qualification systems and formats for Los Angeles 2028 should feature in the 2023 FEI sports forum.

Tokyo Paralympic reporter’s blog: in the end, it all comes back to love

Lucy Elder — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 19:30:57 +0000

“Love has to prevail” – Sir Lee Pearson’s words have been at the forefront of my mind since his moving comments on acceptance and hope for a better world, following the first of his three gold dressage medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.

The Games is a wonderful contradiction of being totally and completely about sport, while also being so much greater than that it almost ceases to be about sport at all. That’s perhaps a little over generalising. To put it another way, sport is the focus, but the Games – both Olympics and Paralympics – are about people, their stories and human (and equine) achievement.

When the world’s media descends on a venue, they don’t come to hear a list of statistics or numbers. They come for the story. And so Lee told his – sharing as he did a message of love and acceptance – and each of the others behind him told theirs. Remarkable stories of journeys covering thousands of miles, sacrifices made, and putting into words what it meant to be at the Games.

Yes, there were fabulous scores and medal tallies and records set. But as a human, it is the stories that will stick with me long after I’ve forgotten the percentages.

Words seem so small by comparison of the enormity of it all. I’ve hammered out 20,000+ in the last week, trying to find the right ones in the right order to breathe life into these stories, these emotions. It is a privilege as a journalist when people choose to share and trust their stories with me, and not one I ever take for granted.

Love, actually

There’s nowhere quite like a mixed zone. This is where riders come to chat to the press moments after their test, while the competition continues to play out behind them. The energy is constantly shifting with raw emotion.

Journalists have all kinds of briefs, roughly grouped into: sport-specific, medal chasers, unusual story finders, flash quote generators and those keeping track of the big stars. When they all descend together, the atmosphere is electric.

It’s from here that I saw Don Cara M spooking sharply in the 10 minute box, followed by Sophie Wells’ palpable relief some 15 minutes later after “surviving” the team test. She had no idea at that point how much more she had done than survive, and that her score had secured team gold.

It was here too that I spoke to Belgium’s Manon Claeys, composed but disappointed after believing she had finished fourth in the freestyle. As she turned to see the final result, she let out a scream as she saw she had clinched bronze – her second of the Games – while the Belgian attaché and fellow competitors gave her a guard of honour.

But for all the pressure of the competition, the years spent dedicated to training and the drive to win, it was love that came across in all the interviews. Love for their horse, the sport and the people around them.

Even when things went wrong, that love never faltered.

Ireland’s Michael Murphy, tipped as an individual medal contender, had the devastation of his rein catch snapping moments into his individual test. He was left without a rein, unable to turn right, costing him both his individual result and a place in the freestyle. As Michael ended the test, he could be seen whispering “good boy” to his horse. “I’m very lucky I’m on Cleverboy because the way he looked after me in there yesterday was amazing,” he quipped, after redemption with a beautiful performance in the team test.

For French rider Celine Gurney, who didn’t hear the bell and was eliminated in the individual competition for entering the arena too late, the frustration and disappointment must have been immense. Like Michael, she too came out again on Saturday to produce a solid test for the team and spoke of her happiness for the horse and the result for the team.

And it was love and sportsmanship that flowed from Dutch rider Sanne Voets in the moments after believing she had done enough to secure team gold, only to learn Sophie’s score had been revised upwards and the Netherlands would take team silver by 0.656%.

“We would love to win the team gold, but if you perform at your very best with the three of you, you shouldn’t be disappointed with silver. We have won a beautiful medal,” said Sanne, praising her horse before being the first to congratulate the Brits on their victory.

The genuine astonishment on the Brits’ faces as their talented, yet untested, rides shone brighter each day, with their pride in and love for their horses choking in their voices. Hearing Philippa Johnson-Dwyer speak about the power of “ubuntu” and how her loving her horse was at the core of their bond, given she was unable to ride for much of the last year after undergoing open heart surgery and chemotherapy. Seeing Georgia Wilson take her place among the Paralympic greats as she beamed with delight, and her smile reflected in the tears pouring down the cheeks of her proud coach and mentor Sophie Wells. As a reporter, I’m lucky to live these experiences several times over – witnessing them first hand, then feeling the emotion of them again as I try to immortalise them in ink.

My final copy deadline of 4am, after the nearing-midnight medal ceremony, meant there was no time for sleep (even had I been able to) before my morning flight. Some 30-odd hours of being awake with too much adrenaline to shut my eyes, I found Black Beauty on the in-flight films (yes, I’m aware I am a walking cliché). I simply had not thought this through. It took all of the first two notes of the opening strings melody and the delayed onset of processing everything that had happened – and that it was now over – brought a wave of emotion over me that I wasn’t really prepared for or expecting.

I don’t cry easily, but there didn’t seem to be an off switch. So here I was, sat in a tin can in the sky with nothing but my own thoughts to process with the most heart-breaking, if on-brand, film for company. Thank god I was travelling solo. I promise I am a lot more fun at parties…

Eyes of the world

The magnitude of the Paralympics is also a reminder of how sport does not exist in a bubble. Belgium bombing survivor Beatrice de Lavalette making her Games debut for the US, the pandemic measures and the announcement of the Afghan team’s arrival (athletics and taekwondo) acted as reminders that the events we see on the news are not things that happens to other people.

The word “platform” sounds so corporate and clinical for the shimmering ball of life that is the Paralympic movement, drawing the world’s gaze like a magnet. “Stage” similarly, a word journalists use when they can’t think of another (I’m absolutely guilty of that). Whatever you want to call it, the eyes of the world means the Games are a place where messages are heard.

Lee’s message of love and acceptance to those facing inward or outward battles with disability and sexuality, followed by Natasha Baker’s call for an end to disability discrimination and highlighting how damaging ableism is, are to name just two examples of this. Taking sport off the back pages and into the news pages.

Both riders also made a loud plea to UK show organisers to take responsibility and schedule para sport in their programmes.

“We need to be at more able-bodied shows. We need to be more inclusive, we want that recognition. We want to be out there; they can’t be scared of us para dressage riders. We want to be put into these bigger atmospheres,” said Natasha.

Sophie used that visibility to shout about the power of the horse/human relationship in the hope that by raising awareness, more people will have the chance to feel that magic. It’s also interesting to note that Sophie was talent spotted for para sport at an able-bodied talent spotting day. In a pre-Tokyo interview on the H&H podcast, Sophie told me that before then, she hadn’t really been aware of what para dressage was.

That moment was a long time ago now, and the continued British success is testament in large part to the systems the sport has in place in this country to find and nurture talent. But how many more Sophies are out there across the world with the raw talent to succeed, but who just aren’t aware what para dressage is all about?

It comes back to Natasha’s point about why para sport needs to be at major shows, and also why the live-streaming Paralympic dressage for the first time this year was such a big deal.

The same goes for horses – Don Cara M’s career in able-bodied dressage was limited as he can’t do flying changes. His switch to para, where flying changes are not required, means that he has gone from a horse that had hit his ceiling at medium, to a horse that is at the very top of his game. When horsepower is 50% of the picture in equestrian sport, it flips that same question as to how many other Don Cara Ms are out there whose owners just aren’t aware of what their horse could achieve?

The echoing empty stands were also a deafening reminder of what’s happening in the outside world. My heart broke for Japan for the Games that might have been – as side-saddle rider Barbara Minneci so elegantly put, “this would have been the most beautiful Games ever”.

While it may not have been the Games Japan had planned, there was no doubting the beauty in the Games that it held.

Tokyo Paralympic dressage start times: three Brits in the mix for individual medals on opening day of equestrian competition

Lucy Elder — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:02:24 +0000

Start times for the first day of para dressage competition at the Tokyo Games have been revealed, with Paralympic debutantes Georgia Wilson and Sakura set to kick-start the British campaign.

Tokyo Paralympic dressage competition begins tomorrow (Thursday, 26 August) with the grade II, IV and V individual medals.

British riders’ times: day one (Thursday, 26 August)

Grade II: Georgia Wilson (Sakura) – 4.16pm (8.16am BST)
Grade II: Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer) – 5.20pm (9.20am BST)
Grade V: Sophie Wells (Don Cara M) – 10.20pm (2.20pm BST)

Tokyo Paralympic dressage start times: who to look out for on day one

Grade II competitors will be the first riders into the atmospheric arena at Equestrian Park, starting with Beatrice de Lavalette and Clarc for the US at 4pm (8am BST). Tokyo is the pair’s first senior championship and they come to the Games on the back of a strong string of +70% scores in Germany and the States.

The combination is followed by Australia’s Victoria Davies – who is also making her senior championship debut – aboard her striking 14-year-old buckskin Lusitano stallion, Celere.

Next up are Georgia and Sakura (4.16pm/8.16am BST). The seven-year-old mare, who Georgia owns with Geoff and Julie Wilson, is aptly named for these Games – Sakura is the iconic cherry blossom that blooms across Japan each spring.

Georgia was a late call-up for these Games, following the withdrawal of Sophie Christiansen and Innuendo III, and it is testament to the strength of British para dressage that the side had a European champion waiting on the subs bench.

Tokyo is a completely new experience for the young British-bred mare Sakura, but there is no doubting her talent and Georgia has shown just how impressive she is under pressure. She won freestyle gold at her first ever senior championships at the 2019 Europeans exactly two years ago, that time aboard Midnight, and will be looking to make her mark on the Paralympic stage.

The multiple Paralympic and European gold medal-winning combination of Pepo Puch and Sailor’s Blue will be ones to watch at 4.40pm (8.40am BST). The pair have never finished outside the top three in international competition and will be aiming for the top.

But to do that they will have to get past Sir Lee Pearson, who has seven individual Paralympic golds (along with his four team golds) in his trophy cabinet. Lee rides his homebred Breezer, who he describes as “one of the most talented horses” he has ever had. The 10-year-old Bacardi son is out of the same mare as Lee’s world team silver medal-winner, Styletta. The pair produced an international individual tests personal best on their last outing, scoring 75.65% at Hartpury in July, and Lee will be looking to add Paralympic individual medal number eight to his collection at 5.20pm (9.20am BST).

Germany’s Saskia Deutz and the 10-year-old Swarovski mare Soyala open the grade IV individual competition, heading up the centre line in search of a medal at 5.51pm (9.51am BST). Brazil’s 2018 World Equestrian Games double silver medal-winning combination of Rodolpho Riskalla and Don Henrico will have medals in their sights at 6.09pm (10.09am BST).

Judges and viewers are given a short breather, with a break in competition before the formidable Dutch partnership of Sanne Voets and Demantur seek to open their Tokyo account at 7.13pm (11.13am BST). The combination went home with three gold medals at both WEG 2018 and the 2019 Europeans, so head to Tokyo in search of the elusive “triple-triple” of consecutive championship titles.

Rosemary Jean Gaffney, who has been Irish reserve for the last two Paralympic Games, has her time to shine at 7.40pm (11.40am BST) with the 12-year-old Painted Black mare Werona, who she co-owns with Susan Smallman. The strong US combination of Kate Shoemaker and Solitaer 40 round off the session at 8.07pm (12.07pm BST).

A fierce line-up follows with the grade V individual contest. Tamsin Addison and Fahrenheit will set the Irish challenge at 8.49pm (12.49pm BST). Three-time Paralympic individual gold medallist Michèle George will be next into the arena on the rising star, Best Of Eight. The 11-year-old Bonifatius mare’s scores have steadily and significantly increased across all three tests since their double European bronze medal-winning performances in 2019, and the Belgian rider will be seeking to turn those to gold here.

The established Dutch duo of Frank Hosmar and Alphaville, who have won a remarkable 22 medals at Paralympic, world and European championships, will be hard to beat. The pair are reigning grade V European champions, winning triple gold at the 2019 Europeans, and are hotly tipped to add Tokyo Paralympic gold to their CV at 9.53pm (1.53pm BST).

Britain’s Sophie Wells, too, will have medals in her sights. Sophie is drawn third last to go, with a start time of 10.20pm (2.20pm) aboard Roland Kinch’s Don Cara M, who stepped in to fill the place of her experienced championship ride C Fatal Attraction. This promises to be a particularly exciting test to watch – “Don” is a top-quality horse, who Sophie rates very highly and appears to be thriving with the attention and atmosphere that come with the Games. As this is his first championship, what he is capable of in the arena is unknown. But with his ability, Sophie’s experience and strong international results under their belts ahead of Tokyo, this is a partnership not to be missed at 10.20pm (2.20pm BST).

The equestrian competition will be live-streamed in full on Channel 4’s digital platform paralympics.channel4.com. Find out more about how to watch the Tokyo Paralympic dressage live and see the full start lists for each grade

‘Heartbreaking’ team withdrawal from Tokyo Paralympic dressage: ‘horse and rider welfare is our top priority’

Lucy Elder — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 07:23:45 +0000

Hong Kong has made the “heartbreaking” decision to withdraw from the Tokyo Paralympic dressage team competition, after one of the side’s horses showed signs of lameness after arriving at the Games.

Hong Kong was set to make its team dressage Paralympic debut in Tokyo. Its squad of three arrived at the Games on Friday (20 August), but the withdrawal of Timothy Tsang’s ride Cethegus M (“Gus”) means the side cannot continue in the team competition.

“On Sunday 22 August, upon examination by team vet, Adrian Farrington, Timothy’s partner horse Cethegus M unfortunately was deemed to be lame,” said a statement from the Hong Kong Equestrian Federation.

“The implications of this are that he would not be able to do sufficient work to enable Timothy to ride him safely. The welfare of both the horse and rider are our top priority.

“This is heartbreaking news for the rider and the team. The withdrawal of Timothy and Cethegus M also means that Hong Kong can no longer participate in the team dressage competition.”

As Hong Kong was fielding a squad of three, Timothy’s withdrawal means there is no combination to take his place for the side to be allowed to continue in the team contest. But while the team dream is now on hold until Paris 2024, Hong Kong’s other two riders Natasha Tse (Baxo) and Fleur Schrader (Caraat) will continue as individuals.

“Timothy and the team are understandably deeply disappointed. The Hong Kong Jockey Club is giving its full support to Timothy with the help of sport psychologist Dr Anna Waters.

“Timothy and Gus will now focus on the next championship and look forward to qualifying for Paris 2024 alongside the rest of his team members.”

Paralympic dressage start time

Hong Kong’s withdrawal, coupled with the hot weather Tokyo is experiencing, mean several Paralympic dressage sessions have been pushed back an hour from the original schedule.

The wet bulb forecast for the next three days is for mid-afternoon temperatures to reach between around 31 and 32+ degrees. The Wet Bulb Globe Forecast measures humidity, wind speed, sun angle and cloud cover (solar radiation), as well as temperature, to give an overall measure of climatic conditions.

The individual and freestyle Tokyo Paralympic dressage sessions were set to start just after 3pm on their respective days. This has now become 4pm.

“It was agreed that the 3pm start time for the para dressage competitions would not be suitable, as it would be too hot at this time of the day for competition to take place,” an FEI spokesman told H&H.

“In addition, following the withdrawal of the Hong Kong team, the start times were amended.”

View the Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule

Using sport to kick-start change: WeThe15 campaign launched to end disability discrimination

Lucy Elder — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 18:59:00 +0000

A campaign aiming to be the “biggest ever human rights movement” turned the world purple as global landmarks were lit up to celebrate the launch of #WeThe15.

The campaign aspires to represent the world’s 1.2 billion people with disabilities, to end discrimination and act as a global movement publicly pushing for disability visibility, accessibility and inclusion.

WeThe15 has been spearheaded by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the International Disability Alliance . It aims to initiate change for the world’s largest marginalised group, who make up 15% of the global population – hence the name of the campaign.

The FEI is among the many organisations to welcome the launch.

“Para sports, like para equestrian, have shown the world that a disability is only disabling when it prevents someone from doing what they really want to do,” said FEI secretary general and president of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations Sabrina Ibáñez.

“While sporting events like the Paralympics have the power to show the world just how much para athletes can achieve, there is a real need to shed light on the challenges that some of them face as they go about their daily lives.

“A change of social attitude towards people with disabilities is very much required if we are to tear down the barriers that currently prevent them from contributing fully to their communities.

“The WeThe15 campaign has paved the way for this change to happen. And it is encouraging to see the level of international support that the campaign has received to date and the long-term commitment of all involved to addressing the needs of people with disabilities around the world.”

IPC president Andrew Parsons added that the campaign wants “to change the world, and we cannot change the world only through sport”.

“We believe that change starts with sport, but we need to connect with the other sectors of society,” he said.

“The Paralympic Games is the only event in the world with persons with disability centre stage in any field, even if you talk about art, culture, politics, education, economy. So we have the opportunity to launch a campaign of that calibre, bringing together organisations that are not from the field of sports, to really change the world not only every four years.

“So what can we do between Paralympic Games? Can we advance legislation in nations? Advance taxation of assistive technology? Can we put persons with disabilities in front of the camera? We want to change Hollywood, we want to see more persons with disabilities in movies.”

He added that Paralympians are a “small percentage of persons with disabilities”.

“They are incredible examples, but we want to change the world for the 1.2 billion people,” he said.

Reflecting what impact the evidence showing people with disabilities were disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic will have on the Games, Mr Parsons added: “That’s precisely why we have been saying this is the most important edition of the Paralympic Games ever, so now it’s time they need their voices to be heard the most. We are giving them the platform. And not only through sport, that’s why WeThe15 is so important.

“The Paralympic movement is ready to do that. For years we have been struggling or fighting or pursuing to be recognised as an elite sports event, as a strong and relevant sports organisation. And now we want to, and will, play a major role when it comes to human rights.”

H&H’s expert guide to Paralympic dressage classification and grades

Lucy Elder — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:28:31 +0000

H&H takes a look at how para dressage classification works ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics, with all you need to know about the different grades, the different tests, plus which British combinations will be competing in each

What is para dressage classification?

The classification process is designed so riders are able to compete against each other on equal terms. Before a rider is able to compete in para equestrian classes, they must undergo ‘grading’. This is the process by which their mobility, strength and coordination are assessed in order to ensure they are riding against others with similar physical functional ability. Riders are grouped into competition grades, meaning that competition can be judged on the skill of the individual rider on their horse, regardless of their disability.

What does para dressage grading mean?

Para dressage has five grades, defined by the FEI and adopted by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) for use in national competition. Grade I is for riders with the greatest physical impairments, ranging to grade V with the least.

How does para dressage work?

Para dressage involves showing off a horse’s training by performing a set of prescribed movements, marked by a panel of judges, with the grading system determining the complexity of the tests riders perform. The word “para” comes from the term “parallel”, referring to the Paralympics as being parallel to the Olympics.

In set tests, including the individual and team tests at the Tokyo Paralympics, grade I tests are ridden in walk, grades II and III feature walk and trot, and grades IV and V comprise of walk, trot, canter and lateral work.

Riders can choose to add more complex movements and additional paces in their freestyle tests, within set rules. For example, grade I riders are allowed to show trot and lateral work, grade III riders can show canter work (including counter canter) – but not lateral canter work, while grades IV and V can include flying changes among other extra movements.

What happens at a grading?

The first step is to submit an application form, including medical and diagnostic information. This is then reviewed by one of the BEF’s national classification working groups. If their application is successful, they will then be invited to an athlete evaluation, which is carried out by two classifiers. Riders are asked to carry out some movements and exercises (not on a horse). Applications for international (FEI) grading are also handled by the BEF.

In some cases, the classification panel may require to be observed in competition, before it makes its final grading decision. Classifications can also be reviewed at later dates. If, when and how reviews are deemed appropriate is determined on an individual basis.

Can a para dressage rider be in more than one grade?

No. But it is possible for an athlete to have different gradings in different sports, as the classification system varies for each. For example, para driving has two grades, compared to para dressage’s five, while a sport such as para swimming has a completely different classification system. Classification is sport-specific because an impairment affects the ability to perform in each sport to a different extent.

Can riders use additional aids?

Yes. Which additional aids riders are permitted to use in tests depends on their physical impairment.

Can para riders compete in able-bodied dressage?

Yes, and they do so very successfully. Sir Lee Pearon and Sophie Wells are among the best-known names that compete successfully in both able-bodied and para dressage. Lee has trained horses to grand prix and competed up to inter I himself, and in 2003, he became the first para rider to win a national title competing against able-bodied riders at the British Dressage National Championships. Alongside her para achievements, Sophie has contested two young rider European Championships (2010 and 2011), competes up to grand prix and has a collection of national championship titles to her name.

All you need to know about each para dressage grade ahead of the Tokyo Paralympics

Grade I

Test movements: walk only for the team and individual tests, featuring three-loop serpentines, voltes (small circles). Trot permitted in freestyle.
View the grade I team test
View the grade I individual test
Competition for grade I medals is set to be particularly fierce at these Games. Grade I riders fill the top three places in the world para dressage riders, headed by multiple record-breaker Roxanne Trunnell (Dolton) from the US, who will have her eyes firmly on gold. Ireland’s Michael Murphy and Cleverboy will be among the other individuals to watch in this grade.

Grade II

Test movements: walk and trot for the team and individual tests, featuring walk leg-yields and voltes, plus trot serpentines and lengthened strides. All trot lateral work permitted in freestyle.
View the grade II team test
View the grade II individual test
British combination at Tokyo 2020: Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer, and Georgia Wilson with Sakura. Read why Lee believes Breezer to be one of the most talented horses he has ever had and find out more about his life and achievements. Discover more about Georgia’s call-up to the British squad with the seven-year-old mare and her phenomenal gold medal-winning senior championship debut at the 2019 Europeans.
Austrian multiple Paralympic and European gold medallist Pepo Puch looks set for a sparkling third Games with the 13-year-old Sailor’s Blue, with whom he has never finished outside the top-three in international competition.

Grade III

Test movements: walk and trot for the team and individual tests. Walk work includes rein-back and turn on the haunches. Trot work features medium trot, voltes, serpentines and leg yields.
All walk and trot lateral work allowed in freestyle, along with canter work including counter canter – but no canter lateral work or flying changes.
View the grade III team test
View the grade III individual test
British combination at Tokyo 2020: Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus. Find out more about Natasha’s “practically perfect” mare, what Natasha does before she goes into the arena and listen to her interview on the H&H podcast.
Rixt van der Horst and the 11-year-old mare Findsley come to Tokyo with a blistering string of consistent results under their belt, including gold and silver medals from their last two senior championships (WEG 2018 and 2019 Europeans). Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen – tipped by H&H as one to watch ahead of his 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) debut – is another to keep your eyes peeled for as the 21-year-old has a real chance of Paralympic gold.

Grade IV

Test movements: walk, trot and canter, including collected trot and canter, shoulder-in, simple changes through walk, turn on the haunches, trot voltes, canter loops, and rein-back. All lateral work at any pace permitted in freestyle, canter work including single flying changes also allowed.
View the grade IV team test
View the grade IV individual test
Dutch rider Sanne Voets will be aiming for the elusive “triple-triple” in Tokyo with the 13-year-old Demantur (Vivaldi x Elcaro). The pair topped the individual and freestyle classes at WEG 2018 and the 2019 Europeans, and were on the winning team on both occasions. The formidable partnership’s competition record is a veritable sea of red rosettes and they are in with a strong chance of triple glory in Tokyo.

Grade V

Test movements: walk, trot and canter, including collected, medium and extended movements in all paces, counter canter, simple changes, shoulder-in, rein-back and trot voltes. All lateral work, plus single flying changes, three- and four- time sequence changes and demi-pirouettes in canter permitted in freestyle.
View the grade V team test
View the grade V individual test
British combination at Tokyo 2020: Sophie Wells and Don Cara M. Listen to Sophie’s latest interview on the H&H podcast and find out more about her last-minute horse change for the Tokyo Paralympics.
Frank Hosmar and Alphaville are stalwarts of the Dutch squad and have never gone home from a championship without a medal. Tokyo will be their ninth senior championship and third Paralympic Games as a combination.

Dance to it! ? ?Spellbinding and artistic, Para Dressage combinations are out of this world! Learn the rules and…Posted by FEI Dressage on Sunday, August 22, 2021

Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule: your essential one-stop snapshot guide to what’s happening when at the Games

Lucy Elder — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 02:04:32 +0000

All eyes are back on Japan this week for an action-packed Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule, in what promises to be a thrilling showdown in the Equestrian Park.

The opening ceremony takes place tomorrow night (Tuesday, 24 August), and stage one of the para dressage competition starts early the following morning with the first horse inspection.

The entries list features a total of 78 combinations, including British and Irish squads, and the para dressage is held over six days with three medal winning opportunities – individual, team and freestyle.

Take a look at the Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule and find out which days the British and Irish riders will be competing. Start times for competitors have not yet been revealed, but the overall start time of each session has been pushed back an hour from the original plan.

Channel 4 is the official UK broadcaster for the UK and has pledged to show more than 300 hours on the mainstream channel, plus more than 1,000 hours of coverage on 16 live streams at paralympics.channel4.com. Its coverage plan promises to “bring every sport shown live to audiences”. See the full list of global Paralympic broadcasters at www.paralympic.org/tokyo-2020/broadcast

Tokyo Paralympic dressage schedule

Wednesday, 25 August

First horse inspection: 9am-11am (1am-3am BST)
This involves all combinations on the start list

Thursday, 26 August

Individual: grades II, IV and V, 4pm-10.50pm (8am-2.50pm)
Medal ceremony: 11pm-11.30pm (3pm-3.30pm BST)
All competitors take part in the individual competition, in their respective grades, on either Thursday or Friday
British combinations: Sir Lee Pearson with Breezer and Georgia Wilson on Sakura (both grade II); plus Sophie Wells and Don Cara M (grade V)
Irish combinations: Rosemary Gaffney with Werona (grade IV) and Tamsin Addison on Farenheit (grade V)

Friday, 27 August

Individual: grades I and III, 4pm-10.15pm (8am-2.15pm BST)
Medal ceremony: 10.25pm-10.45pm (2.25pm-2.45pm BST)
All competitors take part in the individual competition, in their respective grades, on either Thursday or Friday
British combination: Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus (grade III)
Irish combinations: Michael Murphy with Cleverboy (grade I), and Kare Kerr-Horan aboard Serafina T (grade III)

Saturday, 28 August

Team: grades II, I and III, 5pm-10pm (9am-1pm BST)
The three combinations from each nation (from the maximum squad of four) that will take part in the team competition will be named after the conclusion of the individual medals.

Sunday, 29 August

Team: grades V and IV, 6pm-8.20pm (10am-12.20pm).
Team medal ceremony, 8.30pm-8.45pm (12.30-12.45pm)
This is the concluding day of the team competition (combinations to be announced after the individual), where the team medals will be decided

Monday, 30 August

Second horse inspection: 9am-10am (1am-2am).
Freestyle: all grades, 4pm-10.05pm (8am-2.05pm).
Medal ceremony: 10.15pm-11.15pm (2.15pm-3.15pm)
The top eight combinations from each grade come forward to the freestyle, based on their performance in Thursday and Friday’s individual competition

See the full list of dressage entries for the Tokyo Paralympic Games

Snacks, snoozes and an incredible home from home: Britain’s Paralympic dressage horses arrive in Tokyo

Lucy Elder — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 14:41:19 +0000

Britain’s para dressage squad has arrived and settled in to their new digs ahead of the start of the Tokyo Paralympics.

The Games are set to start with the first horse inspection on Wednesday (25 August) at 9am (1am BST). Competition starts the following day (Thursday) at 4pm (8am BST), with the grade II, IV and V individual medals.

Britain’s four horses and riders have all arrived safely in Tokyo following their respective flights from Liège and Heathrow, and are enjoying the venue’s top-class facilities as they make their final pre-competition preparations.

Take a peak behind the scenes with Team GB…

“Snacking and snoozing” in the comfort of the air-conditioned stables at the Equestrian Park in Baji Koen

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Georgia Wilson catches up with Sakura ahead of the pair’s Paralympic debut

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Natasha Baker has her first ride in Tokyo on Keystone Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”). The pair’s first competitive appearance of the Games will be on Friday (27 August) in the grade III individual contest.

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Snacks with a view: the British horses enjoy a pick of grass and a roll in their home from home

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Don Cara M, who stepped up at the last minute following the withdrawal of Sophie Wells’ originally selected ride C Fatal Attraction, is loving life in Tokyo. Follow the link to see how he has been keeping himself – and everyone around him – entertained in the Team GB stables…

Lovely to see Don today and have a little stretchy ride. He’s so happy with all the attention he’s really coming out of his shell ?Posted by Sophie Wells Mbe Dressage on Friday, August 20, 2021

Squad goals: the British side ahead of their flight to Japan

So exciting ?? #impossibletoignore #paralympicsPosted by Georgia Wilson Para Dressage on Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Bunting on point and a refreshing fan: swipe through to see what Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer have been up to on their first days in Tokyo

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What is your favourite Paralympic memory from Games gone by? Send your thoughts to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

British Paralympic squad changes: new face to make Games debut as multi-medallist ruled out

Lucy Elder — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 12:56:14 +0000

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen is out of the British Paralympic squad for the Tokyo Games following the withdrawal of her ride Innuendo III from selection owing to a “minor veterinary issue”.

Sophie has competed at every Paralympics since her debut at Athens 2004. Tokyo would have been her fifth Games and a first senior championship appearance for the 14-year-old Last Minute gelding.

This is a blow to both Sophie, who would have been looking to add more medals to her glittering collection, and to the British squad to lose a rider with such a strong history of championship experience and achievements. But it is testament to the strength of British para dressage that the European gold medal winner Georgia Wilson has been called up to fill Sophie’s place, aboard the seven-year-old mare Sakura.

“I’m absolutely heartbroken to announce that Louie and I will not be going to Tokyo,” said Sophie.

“There’s always that risk with equestrian sport and unfortunately it was decided Louie wouldn’t have been able to give his best due to a minor veterinary issue.

“I’m thrilled that Georgia will be taking my place. For those of you who will miss seeing my smile, Georgia will similarly light up the arena in Tokyo! Becoming a Paralympian changed my life, in a way that I hope Tokyo will do for her.”

Sophie added she is “truly gutted” for her team, who “worked tirelessly” to aid her selection, and everyone who helped with her fundraising.

“Anna Miller and Georgie Poulter made such sacrifices. It says a lot about the team that I have created that I am instantly looking on to Paris 2024, whereas in 2016 I was so miserable even with my success that I was contemplating retiring.

“I’m so glad that the conversation around athlete mental health has opened up as it is so important that we feel we can talk about it and speak up, rather than push it down, out of sight, so it isn’t seen as a black mark for team selection.

“I hope that the spotlight on the Paralympics will help showcase the standard of horses and coaching we now need in Great Britain, especially for the lower grades.

“Finding the right horse this cycle has been incredibly tough, and in order to get back on top and also help the next generation, we need owners, horse scouts and better coach training. I hope that the equestrian community will feel informed enough that they can support para dressage riders more, just as they do for the able-bodied teams.

“If you have my Paris horse sitting in your field, or would like to join the journey as an owner, or would like to help the other talented young para riders I mentor, hit me up! Sadly our ParalympicsGB kit must now be returned… Here’s to Paris 2024!”

British Equestrian performance director, Dickie Waygood, added the news will be a “personal disappointment to Sophie, who has worked so hard for a chance to represent her country at her fifth consecutive Games”.

“However, with the experience of Natasha, Lee and Sophie Wells now joined by Georgia, who, having tasted medal success in 2019, is ready for more, the British quartet will pose a strong challenge on the Paralympic stage,” he said.

Grade II rider Georgia, 25, won freestyle gold, individual silver and also helped the British team to silver at the 2019 European Championships with Midnight. Tokyo will be Georgia’s first Paralympic appearance and a first senior championships for Sakura, who she owns with Geoff and Julie Wilson.

The pair have two international shows as a combination under their belt and have never scored below 70% in national or international competition. Their recent results include 76.05% in the freestyle at Hartpury CPEDI in July, and 72.30% and 71.21% in the team tests at Hartpury and Kronenberg respectively.

All four riders on the British squad will compete in Japan and the team of three that will take part in the team competition will be announced after the individual contest.

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB chef de mission at Tokyo 2020 said: “This is clearly desperately disappointing news for Sophie who is an incredible athlete, ambassador and advocate for the Paralympic movement.

“She has set the standard at recent Games and we were looking forward to seeing her compete in Tokyo.

“An injury to either rider or horse so close to the Games is very unfortunate and we will work with the British Equestrian to ensure Sophie has the support she needs.

“Georgia’s selection clearly demonstrates the strength in depth in British para dressage and we are excited to see her make her Paralympics debut in Tokyo.”

The para dressage horses are currently in quarantine and will fly to Tokyo on 18 August.

Your bluffer’s guide to dressage at the Paralympics

Lucy Elder — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 16:48:27 +0000

A new format for the para dressage competition at the Paralympic Games will be in effect in Tokyo (26-30 August).

The order and way in which the three sets of medals will be decided and the format of the team competition are the two major changes since Rio 2016. It now follows a similar, but not identical, format to that used at other para dressage championships since the last Paralympics.

1. All equestrian teams across both the Paralympic and Olympic disciplines will feature just three horse and rider combinations, instead of four, meaning there will be no drop score and all three scores from the team test will count towards the team results.

2. Another major change from Rio 2016 is the order and way in which the medals are decided. In Rio, the team medals were decided on combinations’ performance in both the individual and team test. In Tokyo, only the three riders’ scores from the team test will count towards the final team result, as happens at other senior championships.

3. A total of 78 horse/rider combinations across five grades are expected to take part in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

4. A set of medals is awarded in each grade for the individual, team and freestyle competitions.

5. Before the competition starts, all horses must first pass a veterinary inspection (25 August). This is not marked as part of the competition itself, it is rather a check to make sure all horses are fit to compete ahead of the opening competition.

6. There are no travelling reserves for the para dressage competition at the Tokyo Paralympics. But for those nations who are bringing four combinations, changes can be made to the line-up of three combinations that will contest the team test up to two hours before the start of the team test competition.

Individual competition

7. The individual competition is now the first class competitors will contest. It takes place over the first two days of the para dressage schedule at the Games (26-27 August). Nations that have qualified a team for the Games can send a maximum of four and a minimum of three combinations. All four horses and riders from each nation, plus individuals who are there without a team, will take part in this first medal-winning contest. The individual medals are decided on combinations’ performance in this test alone.

Team competition

8. Once the individual medals are decided, nations will then name the three combinations that will go forward to compete in the team test, which takes place over two days (28-29 August).

9. Team medals are decided on all three combinations’ performance in the team test alone.

10. Teams must include at least one rider from grades I, II or III and they can include a maximum of two riders from the same grade.

11. The team test – which is ridden individually by each competitor, rather than all three members in the arena at the same time – is a set test that will be accompanied by music. It is not to be confused with the “freestyle”, sometimes called “dressage to music”, which is a different part of the competition.

Freestyle

12. The final competition that makes up para dressage at the Games is the freestyle. This is the third and final medal-winning opportunity for competitors and takes place on 30 August.

13. The top eight competitors in each grade, based on the results of the individual competition, will go forward to contest the freestyle.

Other useful information

14. Competitors are given marks out of 10 for each movement. They are also given collective scores at the end of a test for the overall impression, with marks for riding and horses’ way of going.

15. Para dressage riders are allowed extra aids, depending on their disability and classification.

16. Errors of course are penalised by marks being deducted. A third error of course results in elimination.

17. If a rider is eliminated in one test, they may still compete in other classes that they are eligible for at the Games.

Everything you need to know about para dressage at the Paralympics

Oscar Williams — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 14:43:36 +0000

What is para dressage?

Para dressage is the sport of dressage for riders with a physical impairment. Riders compete against other competitors of the same grade. Riders are allocated a grade through a classification process according to their disability. Para dressage involves showing off a horse’s training by performing a set of prescribed movements. A panel of judges then mark each movement.

“Freestyle” tests still involve set movements, however, riders choose their own floorplan and choose their own music.

Para dressage is the sole equestrian discipline contested at the Paralympic Games, which it joined as a sport in Atlanta in 1996. It joined the roster of equestrian sports governed by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) in 2006.

The word “para” comes from the term “parallel”, referring to the Paralympics as being parallel to the Olympics.

How does para dressage work?

Before riders can compete at national or international para dressage competitions, they must go through the classification process, which includes an athlete evaluation.

Eligible riders will be allocated one of five grades, depending on their disability: grade I is for athletes whose impairment has the greatest impact on their ability to ride, while grade V is for athletes whose impairment has the least impact on their ability to ride.

What do horses and riders have to do?

Combinations perform a routine specific to the grade at which they are competing and the level at which the test is set.

Five judges seated around the arena mark each of these movements out of 10. However, some more difficult movements receive double marks.

“Collective” marks are also awarded at the end, based on the whole impression of a test, with marks for rider skill and position and the horse’s way of going. A combination’s overall score is the average of their marks presented as a percentage – the higher, the better.

What is dressage at the Paralympics?

Qualified teams of a minimum of three or a maximum of four riders compete in the team dressage medal event at the Paralympics. All team riders are also competing for medals as individuals as well. There will also be individuals competing whose nation does not hold a team spot.

Teams must have at least one rider from either grade I, II or III. Two riders from the same grade can also compete on a team together.

All competitors will ride in the individual medal event, which determines the individual medals and is the first competition the para dressage competitors will contest.

Three combinations, selected by each nation’s chef d’equipe, will then contest the team test. The three riders’ scores in the team test determine the team medals.

The last medal-winning competition of the Games for para dressage riders is the individual freestyle. The top eight combinations from each grade perform a routine to a soundtrack of their choice in the freestyle.

The rider must include certain movements but can design the programme to best suit their horse’s particular strengths. Each test is marked on its technical and artistic merits. The final score is the average of the technical and artistic marks.

Who will win in Paris?

Britain has a stellar record in the sport and has won team gold at every Paralympic Games since the discipline joined the programme. Britain’s most decorated para dressage riders include Sir Lee Pearson, Sophie Christiansen, Sophie Wells, Georgia Wilson and Natasha Baker.

Until 2018, Britain had also won team gold at every other senior para dressage championship. But the sport is growing in strength and popularity across the world and a number of nations will be challenging Britain’s dominant Paralympic record in Paris.

The Netherlands claimed team gold at both the 2023 European Championships and will be favourites. The USA – who leads the Netherlands in the latest FEI world rankings – will also be a strong contender for gold.

For individual medals, Danish grade III rider Tobias Thorning Jorgensen and his horse Jolene Hill were the top scorers at the European Championships and will be favourites for gold again. While expect Dutch riders Demi Haerkens and Sanne Voets to battle it out for grade IV gold.

How dangerous is para dressage?

Any sport that involves horses comes with a certain level of risk. While falls at para dressage competitions are rare even the best-trained horses can never be completely predictable.

They are large, powerful, living animals with their own brains and quick reactions. Therefore, riding and handling will always come with some inherent risk. However, with good training and using correct, up-to-date safety equipment, serious accidents while doing para dressage are relatively rare.

Championship glory and dancing at the Royal Albert Hall: farewell to equine star ‘with a sense of humour’

Lucy Elder — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 05:48:01 +0000

Sir Lee Pearson has paid tribute to his multiple Paralympic gold medal-winning ride with a “sense of humour”, Gentleman.

The 20-year-old gelding, with whom Lee claimed triple gold medals at three consecutive championships, died on Sunday.

Lee told H&H it is a “sad week” and he is grateful for all the wonderful experiences he had with Gentleman.

“He was quite a character,” he said. “He was probably more sensitive than the mares I’ve competed. But as much as he was very sensitive to ride and train, he never let me down in the arena – he was one of those horses who would leave his opinions behind when we went in.”

The pair won triple gold at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, the 2009 Europeans and the 2010 World Equestrian Games. They were also a key part of the gold medal-winning British side at London 2012, where they added gold in the Grade Ib team test, individual silver and freestyle bronze to their medal haul.

“I went to Germany to look for a horse to run parallel to Blue Circle Boy,” he added. “He [Gentleman] had such a supple, loose trot and a huge canter — he gave me the most fantastic feeling. After spending more than I expected to, I brought him home.

“He was big, very sensitive and could also be very opinionated. But because I have to get into the horse’s head rather than using strength, he responded well to my style of riding.

“He had an awful sense of humour. At a competition he would give the feeling that he could be naughty at any moment, when in fact he loved competing on the big stage and he never, ever let me down.”

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Lee said one of his favourite memories was riding Gentleman as part of the Spanish Riding School display, alongside Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, hosted by TV presenter Nicki Chapman. He did the display without stirrups, “much to the astonishment of the audience”, and it was wonderful to show a new audience what para dressage is about.

Another favourite memory was taking him to the Royal Albert Hall to film an advert along with Lee’s Rio Paralympic ride, Zion.

The horses had special coverings to prevent their hooves from damaging the floor and Lee rode piaffe and passage in a tiny specially formed arena.

“They were the first horses to enter the Royal Albert Hall since the horses who helped to build it,” he said.

“Most would say it’s the medal-winning performances that stand out, but for myself it is the unique experiences that we had together.

The son of Gullit spent his twilight years living a very happy retirement with Lorna Harvey in Northamptonshire, where his quarters included a field that backed on to a kitchen window, through which he would pop his head to ask for carrots.

“He wanted for nothing,” added Sir Lee. “For me to find him a retirement as loving and as caring as that was brilliant after the service he gave to myself and to the nation.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Britain’s nominated dressage entries for Tokyo Paralympics announced

Polly Bryan — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 12:33:55 +0000

The British Paralympic dressage entries have been revealed, with 12 combinations making the list.

British Equestrian and the British Dressage selectors have confirmed that the following pairs will be submitted to the FEI as Britain’s nominated entries for the Tokyo Paralympics, which take place from 24 August to 5 September 2021. From this list, the selected squad of four combinations who will travel to Tokyo, plus reserves, will be announced on 16 July.

Grade I

Sophie Christiansen with her own nine-year-old mare Die Furstin and 13-year-old gelding Innuendo III

Grade II

Sir Lee Pearson with his own nine-year-old gelding Breezer
Georgia Wilson with Geoff and Julie Wilson’s and her own 12-year-old mare Midnight and seven-year-old mare Sakura

Grade III

Natasha Baker with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, P. Baker’s and her own 10-year-old mare Keystone Dawn Chorus
Erin Orford with the Lady Joseph Trust’s seven-year-old gelding LJT Diamond Crusador

Grade IV

Nicky Greenhill with Gary Greenhill’s and her own 12-year-old mare Betty Boo

Grade V

Charlotte Cundall with the Lady Joseph Trust’s 12-year-old gelding LJT Simply Red
Sophie Wells with Charlotte Hogg’s 14-year-old gelding C Fatal Attraction, Roland Kinch’s 12-year-old gelding Don Cara M and Charlotte Hogg’s seven-year-old gelding Classic Jillz Geuzenhof

The grooms’ names for each of the British Paralympic dressage entries have not yet been confirmed.

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British Equestrian added “selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to 5 July 2021.”

The British Olympic dressage entries were announced earlier this week.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Sir Lee Pearson’s autobiography: love hexagons, nightclubbing – and 14 Paralympic medals

Polly Bryan — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 15:24:45 +0000

Sir Lee Pearson is the world’s most successful equestrian Paralympian, with 14 Paralympic medals to his name – 11 of them gold – and many more from European and World championships. But there is much more to Lee Pearson as a rider and as a person than just medals, and his new autobiography, defiantly titled I Am Who I Am, is a fascinating account of a life and career riddled with adversity, yet filled with achievements and joy.

As one of the most successful and well-known athletes in the world, Lee’s is a life many may consider themselves to have had a window into, through varying media coverage. But this book straight away offers up refreshing authenticity. It is filled with honest – often VERY honest – accounts of the most significant events in Lee’s life, as well as many of those that might be considered less significant. Lee’s audacious personality and dark sense of humour really comes through, and I personally read the entire book in his broad Staffordshire accent. If you ever wanted to get an insight into the real, uninhibited Lee Pearson, this is your opportunity.

A shocking start

That Sir Lee Pearson was placed in a broom cupboard after birth as the nurses were so horrified by the deformities caused by arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, has been well documented. This shocking episode opens the autobiography, and it’s this quite unbelievable start to life that really emphasises the magnitude of what Lee went on to achieve in his life.

“They put me in a broom cupboard. Can you believe it? I wasn’t placed in the tender arms of my mum or dad; the heavens didn’t open and the angels didn’t sing. Instead, I was packed away like an old vacuum cleaner and left to gather dust. The first three days of my life were spent in a windowless room with bottles of Vileda and chamois leathers. Amazing, isn’t it. It’s a wonder I didn’t become a window cleaner.”

A remarkable career

He recounts the highs and lows from the early days of his dressage career, from falling off and sustaining what doctors thought would be a career-ending elbow injury, to his first experience of riding a “real” dressage horse during a session with Stephen Clarke, and building his relationship with the talented, but quirky Blue Circle Boy, whom he trained up to grand prix level.

Lee’s account of winning his first Paralympic gold medals, at Sydney 2000, and subsequently receiving his MBE, is a section that will stick in the mind.

“My true love is riding a horse to the best of my abilities. I rode to my best in Sydney and that was the most important thing, even more than receiving a medal…. Riding well is the be all and end all. Besides, by the time it gets to the medal ceremonies, if you’ve done your job you’re mentally and emotionally and physically exhausted. I think by the time I got to the podium at Sydney, I felt: ‘Oh my God, I did it.’ and when I received my MBE, I thought: ‘Oh my God, thank God I did.’”

He also offers plenty of interesting insight into his mindset while competing, which will ring true for almost any dressage rider.

“As I enter the arena, I’m willing the horse to stay calm, listen to my leg aids and listen to my rein aids. Then the judges ring the bell and throughout the test I’ve got to make split-second judgements at an alarmingly fast rate. Is this what I should do on this horse at this particular moment? In my head, I think about the technical aspects of the test. Like a chess player, or a snooker player, I always think a couple of moves ahead. I’m continually assessing the horse: is he going well or do I add more, allow less, be straighter, more bent?”

More than dressage

While Lee’s equestrian achievements provide the building blocks for documenting his career, this compelling autobiography is about so much more than dressage. Lee holds nothing back when describing the turmoil and self-loathing that accompanied his coming out as gay to his family as a young man, and the sexual exploits that followed over the course of his life. He discusses his love for nightclubbing, the depression he experienced while working his first job, at the Co-op, and the emotional impact becoming a foster father in recent months has had on him.

The story fluctuates between dressage and other, very different areas of his life, interspersing poignant moments with hilarious and sometimes outrageous anecdotes. These include Blue Circle Boy “bolting in walk”, to a championship “love hexagon” involving, among others, a German team trainer and Danish groom, and being stopped by Chinese police for driving a mobility scooter to a party in Beijing.

His memories of being selected as the Team GB flag-bearer at the Rio Games in 2016 are another highlight, despite in the run-up having “visions of being whooshed off the mobility scooter with the world’s media looking on.”

“The whole experience was humbling. It also felt like Great Britain was giving the rest of the world a positive message, because of my disability and because of my sexuality. It was like GB was saying they appreciated me as a sportsman, irrespective of disability or sexuality. I was proud of my fellow team members; there were 264. It was incredible to lead them.”

As the title suggests, this is a deeply personal memoir with equal weighting given to all facets of Lee’s colourful life. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the man behind the dressage saddle, and to understand what has shaped him into a rider and the person he is today. It made me appreciate his achievements all the more.

I Am Who I Am, published by Away With Media, is out on 15 May and is available for pre-order now.

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Rider with cerebral palsy wants to inspire others as she aims for Paralympics

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 07:06:48 +0000

A rider who has cerebral palsy wants to inspire others to know what is possible, as she works on her Paralympic dream.

Bryanna Tanase, from Florida, US, started therapeutic riding some five years ago, aged 17.

She told H&H she had loved horses since childhood, but her parents were unable to find a safe place for her to learn to ride.

She took every opportunity to learn everything she could about horses, so she would be prepared when the opportunity came to ride, which was at a therapeutic centre in Odessa, Florida.

“I still remember that first day; it was amazing to finally touch a horse,” Bryanna said. “Everyone there was so welcoming, and to have that experience of finally being with horses and starting to understand how to ride was really special. And everything has just grown from there.”

Bryanna, who started in a Western saddle, neck-reining, but moved on to riding English-style in a dressage saddle two years ago, said the riding has hugely improved her physical health.

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“I can’t really walk on my own,” she said. “If I do stand up on my own, I always need to hold on to something because I don’t have the strength without that.

“I need a lot of help with daily activities, like brushing my teeth and using the restroom, and my motor skills are impaired. One effect of cerebral palsy is that the connection between the brain and spinal cord is severed, so I have to think hard whenever I do something.

“I really have to focus on my body when I’m riding, and I don’t really have use of my legs so I have to figure out different ways to ask the horse to do certain things, but riding has so many benefits for me.”

Bryanna said she is much stronger thanks to her riding; her core strength and balance have improved, and she is also more flexible and relaxed as a result.

“I feel a different person because of riding,” she said. “I have much more confidence in myself because this is something I can actually do on my own – not only can my body do this, I have a bit of talent for it too.

“There are so many things I need help with, so it’s great to have something I can do independently, and the horses are great partners – they’re like my best friends.”

Bryanna has been riding FEI grade I para tests, and she recently scored 55% in her first virtually judged test.

She said her ultimate goal is to represent the US at the Paralympics, and in the meantime, she aims to be accepted on to the US Equestrian and US Dressage Federation “emerging athletes” para dressage programme, which offers training opportunities.

“You have to get two +60% scores for that, and I definitely think if I can smooth off the rough edges, I can do a lot better than I have so I’m really excited about that,” she said.

“It would give me the chance to compete in some bigger events — and I really want that chance.”

Bryanna said that if she could achieve her ultimate dream, it would “mean everything”.

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“It would be such a validation to me, and give me the opportunity to represent the disabled community; there’s still a lot of stigma around people with disabilities,” she said.

“A lot of people think we just sit around all day, but this is an opportunity to show we’re capable of doing more than people think, and I want to inspire other people.

“That’s how I got into para riding; I saw videos of other people and thought ‘If they can do it, so can I’. That’s what so much of my social media is about; inspiring people and raising awareness of our sport.

“Horses are my motivation, and they have completely changed my outlook on life.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Pace picked up on Tokyo plans and preparations H&H Plus

Lucy Elder — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 11:06:06 +0000

As work goes on to ensure a Covid-safe Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will run next year, British equestrianism also has its funding for the Paris Games confirmed. H&H finds out more and reports on the 2024 Games’ quotas

WORK is ongoing to manage the equestrian logistics within new Covid safety measures for Tokyo.

Joint guidelines have been issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Tokyo organisers to minimise numbers in the athlete village. These include limiting athletes’ time in the village to no more than five days ahead of their event and leaving within 48 hours.

“We think this is absolutely necessary, because we need to minimise the number of residents in the village to minimise the risk of Covid exposure. At the same time, we wanted to be balanced with the considerations about athletic performance and attendance at the opening ceremony,” said IOC president Thomas Bach.

Planning is under way to ensure riders are not adversely affected by the restrictions and a range of options is on the table.

“The FEI is working with the Tokyo organising committee to ensure equestrian athletes can arrive and depart and stay in the Olympic village in line with horse flight arrivals and departures, and will not be restricted to the five days prior to competition,” an FEI spokesman told H&H. “This will also apply to grooms staying in the grooms’ village.”

British Equestrian (BEF) eventing performance manager Dickie Waygood said planning for Tokyo is “picking up the pace”.

“There will be added complications as we navigate Covid restrictions, but we will plan for a number of scenarios,” he told H&H.

“We have good people who can adapt and innovate to ensure conditions for athletes, horses and grooms are optimal.”

UK Sport confirmed to British Equestrian on 18 December that its funding for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics is secure.

But equestrian sport is facing a 22% drop in funding for its Lottery-funded UK Sport World Class programmes for Paris.

A total of £11,085,964 is earmarked by UK Sport for the World Class programmes for the Olympic equestrian disciplines in the build-up to Paris 2024, compared to £12,541,195 ahead of Tokyo. This is a £1,455,231 drop.

Para dressage funding has also been cut, with £3,011,243 available for Paris compared to £3,294,056 for Tokyo.

Equestrian sport is not alone, with 14 of 18 Olympic sports and six of 18 Paralympic sports receiving less money this cycle.

The BEF said the Olympic disciplines have been awarded a confirmed £2.77m in year one, while para dressage has been granted £753,000, a reduction of about 22%.

“The way UK Sport delivers funding from Government and the National Lottery has been reviewed, with a new strategy to support more sports in becoming successful and engaging with the public,” said a BEF statement. “Their funding has received an overall uplift despite the economic circumstances, reflecting the importance of sport and activity to the nation.”

BEF interim chief executive Iain Graham thanked UK Sport for its “belief in our sports”.

“We have been realistic in our expectation due to the financial situation overall, so this is better than anticipated and should be seen as a positive result in the circumstances,” he said.

“This is still a sizeable investment and I’m grateful to the public who play the National Lottery, which in turn allows us to turn funding into performance and inspire the next generation.”

Road to Paris

THE funding announcement follows positive news that all equestrian disciplines have been confirmed for Paris 2024. The full quota of 200 combinations and six medal chances are untouched.

“This is also a token of appreciation for the efforts the FEI and the equestrian community to increase the fan base and improve digital figures for our sport,” said FEI president Ingmar de Vos. “We really appreciate that the IOC didn’t touch our quota as we knew they needed to reduce the overall Games-wide quota to 10,500 athletes, but our sport has grown so much that a reduction would have been detrimental to the universality of our competitions.”

“The news that we have full numbers for Paris is very welcome,” Dickie told H&H. “Equestrian sport embraces the Olympic values particularly with men and women competing on equal terms and we look forward to taking up our places.”

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Athlete classification in paralympic sports to be reviewed H&H Plus

Lucy Elder — Fri, 15 Nov 2019 15:45:38 +0000

The International Paralympic Committee has pledged to focus on classification to keep up with the growth of the movement around the world

Improving classification is to be a “top priority” over the next two years, a leading figure in para sport has pledged.

Classification underpins para dressage, with riders allocated one of five grades depending on their physical ability. The FEI spells out the criteria for each grade in para dressage, which is underpinned by the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) international standard for physical impairments.

This means any changes by the IPC could affect both individual riders and para dressage as a whole.

“As a board, we know more can be done to further develop classification,” said IPC president Andrew Parsons at the organisation’s general assembly in Bonn (26 to 27 October). “We cannot continue what we’ve been doing for the past 20 years as the movement has grown and moved on a lot.”

That change is not likely to happen ahead of Tokyo 2020, but could be started by the end of next year.

The IPC governing board has committed to consultation on timelines for changes to the classification rules for sports on the Paralympic programme. This will start following the extraordinary general assembly in December 2020.

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen told H&H a review of the rules would be a positive step.

“Classification is quite a taboo subject,” she said, adding that a review of the current rules, as well as more transparency and an improved way of querying classification decisions, could benefit the sport.

“Only the rider and the classifier will know the full extent of the disability and the classifier is in the best place to make the decision around classification. But it is still quite subjective and that is what worries me.

“Since 2012, there has been a massive influx of para riders, which is amazing and really what we want as a sport. But I’m not sure the classification system can keep up.”

Sophie added she is not “pointing fingers” and wants to work with the relevant organisations to help move the sport forwards, which she has been doing as part of her role on a classification advisory group for the British Paralympic Association.

She also stressed her concerns with the current system are not to do with who she personally may be competing against, but for the benefit of the sport’s future.

“This is not about me; this is about wanting to protect grade one because these riders [who cannot compete above walk] have nowhere else to go,” she said. “We have to compete in para classes or nothing.

“Throughout my whole career, I have competed against grade one classified riders who can trot and canter in able-bodied competitions. Obviously in grade one we only compete at walk and that, in my mind, doesn’t make any sense.”

Triple European para dressage gold medallist Suzanna Hext told H&H she wonders whether different sports could learn from each other’s classification process.

Suzanna is also a medal-winning para swimmer, taking silver and bronze at the World Championships this year.

“I was quite surprised at the difference between the two processes,” she said. “I found swimming took into account the way you move in the water a lot more than riding considers how you move on the horse.”

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She added it is a tricky subject, because a person’s skill and talent on a horse or in the water is a different matter to their physical disability.

“It is always going to be a tough subject,” she said. “Classification is a gruelling process whichever sport you go through as you are putting your body under pressure. Swimming had a massive look at its system after Rio and I don’t think that was necessarily a bad thing.”

Suzanna was classified as S5 of the 14 grades in swimming in January. In 2018, she went through reclassification for para dressage, where she was moved to a more impaired grade (from grade three to grade two).

“Of course, you do want it to be a fair and level playing field as far as is possible, but there are always going to be differences between one end of the grade to the other,” she said.

“The classifiers don’t have an easy job. I found it tough when I was reclassified from a grade three to a grade two, as I want to be doing the harder movements.

“It is something that needs to be looked at, even if just for the assurance to athletes that the process has been reviewed and it is solid.”

H&H 14 November 2019

Paralympic gold medallist heads to BD nationals on a wild card

Becky Murray — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 06:03:40 +0000

A multiple Paralympic gold medallist who has qualified for the British Dressage (BD) national championships in an able-bodied class said she would not have dreamed it could happen “in a million years”.

Natasha Baker told H&H she could not believe she had received a wildcard qualification in the novice silver class with mare Keystone Dawn Chorus, known as Lottie, for the nationals (12 to 15 September). Wildcards are given by BD to the highest-scoring unqualified combinations based on how many unfilled spaces there are in each class following the regional qualifiers.

“I competed at the summer regionals on 8 August and I had a very big mistake in my test. I got a wrong canter strike-off which cost me dearly and I ended up sixth so I thought my chances of going to the nationals were over,” she said.

“I’ve only had Lottie since March; it’s still really early days of riding her so I was really happy even to get to the regionals. When I saw my name on the wildcard list I was absolutely over the moon – hopefully I don’t mess up my canter leads at the nationals!”

Natasha said able-bodied competitions are a good tool for training and allow her to compete “for fun”.

“I’ve always done a little bit of able-bodied competitions on the side because with para we only have two tests, and because of my grade I’m only in walk and trot. Some horses get so used to riding the same tests and when they go into a competition they start to anticipate things,” she said.

“You learn so much about the horse at every competition so it’s good to be able to go out and do something different. I’ve got no pressure doing able-bodied stuff but as soon as I do a para competition I’m expected to win. It’s really nice to go out and be able to do the canter work, which is something that I never do in competition normally.”

Natasha bought eight-year-old Lottie, whom she owns with her family, Child’s Farm and Christian Landolt, in March from Beth Bainbridge.

“We started looking in December and she was the 12th horse I tried. I put an advert on Facebook and Beth contacted me. I’ve known Beth for donkey’s years and she said ‘I think my horse would be perfect for you’,” said Natasha.

“I went to Devon during Storm Gareth and the weather was horrendous. The second day I took Lottie on a hack and it was blowing a gale and pouring with rain. I hacked a mile and a half down the road, used an arena and then hacked her back and she didn’t put a foot out of place. I said to my mum ‘that’s it – this is our horse, I know it’. It can take a really long time to find a good para horse so I was incredibly lucky to find her so soon.”

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Natasha plans to campaign Lottie for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

“Lottie is such a cool person – I think her life’s motto is ‘that’s ok’. She goes into everything with an open mind and she wants to try her absolute hardest. I’m a real sucker for mares, I think once they’re on side they give you so much and she has a heart of gold. It’s only been five months and I’m still learning about her, but it’s nice because she’s such a relaxed horse. She doesn’t get nervous, tense or spooky which is lovely because I’m getting to do things I haven’t done on horses in a really long time. I can take her in the field and go for a canter – on other horses I haven’t felt safe enough to do that,” she said.

“Our first international competition will be in October and I’m going to contend her towards the Paralympics next year. It’s so exciting. She’s definitely got the right attitude for the job and she’s got all the ingredients to make a great horse so I hope we can have a fantastic journey together.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Paralympic dressage to be broadcast live on TV from Tokyo 2020

Lucy Elder — Tue, 23 Jul 2019 11:16:18 +0000

Para dressage will be broadcast live from Tokyo 2020 in a huge step forward for the discipline.

It is one of five additional sports to be broadcast live at next year’s Paralympic Games.

This brings the total number of sports with live coverage to a record 21 disciplines from 19 sports.

“We are thrilled to be part of the live broadcast of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and our sport will benefit greatly from this worldwide exposure”, said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez, who is also president of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations.

“The development of para dressage is phenomenal, with the number of athletes growing year on year, and being included in the live coverage from Tokyo 2020 will give more parts of the world the chance to discover our amazingly talented para athletes.”

The other sports gaining live coverage from the Paralympics (25 August to 6 September) are canoeing, rowing, archery and shooting.

The move is a result of increased support from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Tokyo 2020 and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS).

“Thanks to the growing interest and investment from broadcasters around the world to screen the Paralympic Games we have been able to significantly increase the number of sports to be broadcast live for Tokyo 2020”, IPC commercial, broadcasting and partnerships director Alexis Schaefer said.

“Our strategy throughout has been to invest all additional revenues generated from TV rights sales back into the broadcasting plan for Tokyo 2020.

“This is allowing us to broadcast live nine disciplines and seven sports more compared to Rio 2016, a huge leap forward which will benefit broadcasters and the whole Paralympic movement.”

Mr Schaefer added Tokyo 2020 will “without doubt” have the best, most complete and in-depth television coverage yet for a Paralympic Games.

“In addition to more live TV coverage, we are also investing into delivering far greater short form content for broadcasters to use in the form of highlights, athletes features and profiles,” he said.

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OBS chief executive Yiannis Exarchos added: “OBS is pleased to deliver extensive broadcast coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and bring even more outstanding, inspirational performances and stories of the Paralympic athletes to millions of viewers around the world.”

Free-to-air coverage of the para dressage classes at this summer’s Longines FEI European Championships in Rotterdam (19 to 25 August) will also be offered, by FEI.tv.

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British gold medal-winning rider selected for World Championships in second sport

Becky Murray — Mon, 06 May 2019 06:04:24 +0000

A European triple gold medal-winning para dressage rider has said it feels “out of this world” to be selected to represent her country in a second sport.

H&H blogger Suzanna Hext, a former two-star eventer who suffered a life-changing riding accident in 2012 and went on to win two individual and team gold at the para dressage European Championships in 2017, has been selected to represent Great Britain at the para swimming World Championships in London in September.

Suz, who competed in the selection trials at the British para-swimming international meet at Tollcross ISC in Glasgow last week, told H&H the news of team selection had not sunk in yet.

“I’m not sure I had the World Championships on my agenda necessarily but I gave it everything and really enjoyed the whole experience. I really loved a crowd getting behind me and there was a really good atmosphere, it gave me that boost to give a little bit more,” said Suz.

“It was an up and down week in Glasgow but it was a learning curve. I spasmed on the starting block on the first day and they disqualified me because it is deemed you’re starting the race, even though I didn’t realise I spasmed. The spasms are due to the nature of my spinal cord injury and dystonia. It was just one of those things – unfortunately it’s not something that I can control, but we’ve found a way to make it less likely to happen on my racing starts from now on and I was fine the rest of the week.”

Suz broke the British 200m longcourse freestyle record at the meet, bringing her British para swimming record tally to four; the 50m long course and short course freestyle, and the 100m shortcourse freestyle.

“It’s insane – since only starting para swimming in January. I’m taking it one step at a time and enjoying the journey as I go along,” said Suz.

“The World Championships in September will be amazing, I’ve been given a massive opportunity to be on the team – it’s an honour. I’ll be doing the 50m, 100m and 200m freestlye – it will be great to be in front of a home crowd.”

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Suz, who is part of the lottery-funded equestrian World Class programme, said while she had not expected swimming to “take off” like it had, it enhances her performance in the saddle and she is still aiming for the 2019 European Championships and the Paralympics in Tokyo 2020 in para dressage.

“Para dressage and swimming are working well together – I haven’t had any pressure from either side,” she said.

“Riding remains my priority – nothing has changed from that point of view, but I’m going to see where I can take swimming as well. The World Class equestrian programme is really focusing on atheletes’ health and fitness so it really helps.”

Suz said she feels lucky to have the support network of Talland Equestrian and swimming club Swindon Dolphin ASC, and feels like she has “got her life back” since her accident in 2012.

“I have a really good home team with the horses at Talland with Pammy Hutton, having that makes a huge difference if I’m away swimming. Equally if I’ve been away competing in dressage in Denmark and France, I’ve continued my training out there in the pool,” she said.

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“Sport is a massive part of my life again. It almost feels like I’m back to where I used to be, mentally I feel really good. It was difficult not having that side of my life but to have that back I feel like me again – it’s incredible.”

Suz is taking part in the para dressage European selection trials at Wellington in June and Hartpury in July, and is searching for another horse to campaign alongside her horse Sid (LJT Enggaards Solitaire), for Tokyo.

“Horses are horses – you can never be too sure so we need a backup for Sid to bring alongside but trying to find a para horse is like a needle in a haystack,” she said.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Rider who had surgery to remove brain tumour is aiming for 2020 Paralympics

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 27 Mar 2019 12:30:29 +0000

A rider who was told six weeks ago her headache was caused by a brain tumour has since had surgery, applied for para classification and started to work towards a dream of competing at the 2020 Paralympics.

Ginny Gray thought the severe headache she woke up with on 10 February was a minor issue but when she saw her GP the next day, he sent her to hospital, where she was diagnosed with the tumour, which was the size of a golf ball.

On 15 March, she underwent surgery, which doctors said was a success, and is now recovering at home.

Ginny, a 41-year-old mother of two, told H&H that at first she could not believe the diagnosis.

“It’s very strange to go in four weeks from a headache to full brain surgery,” she said.

“The headache was strange – I’ve never had anything like it – but my husband thought it might be a migraine. I only go to the doctor for my children, so it was so strange when he said: ‘Hang on a minute’.

“The symptoms I had were so mild – tiredness, I thought my sight was failing, nothing I thought was significant – so once they’d done all the tests at the hospital and told me what it was, I didn’t believe them because I felt fine.

“I asked to see the scan because I didn’t believe it. It was a huge shock, to me, my husband, family and friends.”

But before her surgery, Ginny decided on her future plan, involving her 21-year-old gelding The Matrix (Maverick), and then in future her 10-year-old Digital Matrix (Digit), who are by the same stallion.

“I did loads of preparation because I was so excited about what I could do if I came out the other side,” she said. “I’ve got 12 corporate sponsors, all local businesses, and set up a Facebook page and a donation page, hopefully to help with the cost of training and travelling. I’m definitely aiming for the Paralympics.”

Ginny has applied for para classification, which takes some weeks to be confirmed, by which time she hopes the after-effects of the tumour’s removal will have subsided, so she can be back on board.

“This is like a silver lining to the cloud I’ve been under,” she said. “I would never have had the opportunity to compete at that sort of level before.

“My horse has done everything, from British Showjumping to unaffiliated eventing to a bit of dressage – what a chance to do this on him.”

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Ginny said the plan is to start training with Caroline Hunt of CHD Dressage, whom she has known for years, and then compete Maverick, with the aim of running Digit alongside in future.

“Digit’s called that because he was a polydactyl foal, born with an extra leg,” she added. “The vet said to put him down but I said no; they removed it at Donnington Grove vets and you’d never know now there was anything wrong.

“He hasn’t done a lot as my children came along soon after he was born, but I’m hoping I can get Maverick up and running, then get going with him once I’m feeling more myself. I’d hoped to be riding this week but where the tumour was is a void, so I get this very strange sloshing feeling. I’m hoping that will gradually get better as my brain re-expands into that area, and I’m already pottering about and lunging them.

“I feel so lucky. I was very lucky the GP was on the ball, I owe him a lot, and the surgeon said they got all the tumour out and although there’s a tiny chance it’ll come back, they’ll keep an eye on me.

“This is an amazing opportunity.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

‘Don’t give up’: rider who will never walk again aims for Paralympics

Becky Murray — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 11:03:56 +0000

A rider, who will never walk again after a horse flipped over on top of her, hopes to aim for the Paralympics and inspire others to “keep going”.

Olivia Fairclough, 34 from Middlesbrough, was working in Cairo, Egypt as a riding instructor in 2016 when the horse she was sat on fell on her on 18 April.

Olivia told H&H: “The lessons had finished for the day and I was doing some pole training with the riding school horses. I was sat on the horse waiting for my turn and then I have no memory of what happened.

“I was told the horse flipped and landed on top of me. I had ridden the horse before and nobody knows why it happened or what made the horse do that, we were stood still at the time.”

Olivia, who was left unconscious, was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Cairo.

“I broke my back, three ribs and punctured both my lungs. I spent 10 days at the hospital, but they couldn’t do the operation I needed because my insurance had lapsed by two weeks,” she said.

“The staff at the hospital didn’t speak English, my boyfriend at the time who spoke Arabic tried to translate things for me but I was terrified. The staff would take me for scans but I had no idea where they were taking me or the drugs I was being given – I thought I was going to die.”

Olivia’s brother in England started an urgent Gofundme campaign to raise funds for Olivia’s surgery and to fly her home.

“In nine days £32,000 was raised – it was phenomenal,” said Olivia. “It went worldwide; we had donations from strangers New Zealand and America. It’s incredible so many people wanted to help.”

Olivia was transferred to a second hospital in Cairo for surgery and spent four days there before being flown home.

“The doctors and nurses at this hospital spoke English, which gave me some comfort. I was told I wouldn’t walk again following the surgery and when I arrived in England I was immediately transferred to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough who confirmed it. I spent four months in hospital doing rehab and learning to adapt to my new life,” said Olivia.

“I didn’t cope very well at all. I wanted to end my life and I still have hard days, but I see a psychologist when I need to. I spent the next year trying to go out again and learning to do things on my own in a wheelchair.

“I started going to Pop-Up Gym in Gateshead, who deal with spinal cord injuries. They’ve helped me hugely and I got to speak to others and share experiences. It’s really helped me to build up my strength and work on my core.”

Olivia began attending local stables with a friend and recently led a horse for the first time since being in a wheelchair.

“I’ve been going to the stables and giving the horses carrots and stroking them. I feel so happy to be back around the animal I love,” said Olivia.

“I led Merlin who is a riding school horse. He’s never been around a wheelchair, but he was so good. He’s my baby, I used to ride him many years ago and it’s like he remembers me.

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Walking Merlin for the first time since my riding accident in 2016. Just been given the all clear to start riding again. Going to the RDA to start ridingPosted by Olivia Fairclough on Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Olivia, who has been riding for more than 20 years, is in the process of arranging riding lessons at the Unicorn Centre in Middlesbrough.

“I’m just waiting to have my riding assessment. I can’t wait, I’m dying to get back on a horse,” she said. “I’ll be hoisted on and have a leader and have a walker either side of me until I am more stable.

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“I want to aim for the Paralympics, it’s a goal and something to aim for. I want to prove I can do it. I look at the other Paralympic riders who have inspired me and think if they can do it, why can’t I.

“I want others that are facing something similar to keep going, don’t stop and give up – there’s light at the end of the tunnel. I never thought I would be riding again two years after my accident.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

British London 2012 superstar retires

Lucy Elder — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 13:39:26 +0000

Sophie Christiansen’s multiple medal-winning ride Janeiro 6 has retired aged 20.

The combination finished in the top three in every international competition they contested.

Among their many achievements was their London 2012 freestyle win, the pair clinching gold with a huge 84.75%.

The horse was previously partnered by Michael Eilberg, who won the advanced medium national title with him in 2008, and came to Sophie in May 2011.

Sophie told H&H Ferdi Eilberg called her coach, Clive Milkins, to say they he had “this really great horse with a great walk”.

“At the time I was aiming him as my reserve horse for London as I had another horse at the time, Robin, who was phenomenal,” said Sophie.

Sadly, Robin developed head-shaking issues.

“All of a sudden, Rio became my main aim for London,” she said.

Sophie added that the horse is very sensitive and quick to pick up on how a rider is feeling, which hugely affected his walk.

“When he is nice and relaxed and forward thinking, he has that lovely, panther-like movement he showed at London 2012,” said Sophie.

“When the rider is a bit uptight, he tends to shorten his stride — I had to really work on how I was feeling mentally to get the best out of him.

“He really taught me how to be in the best place mentally for a competition.”

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She added that 2012 was a tough year as she had not planned to have Rio as her main horse and desperately wanted to be on the team, but their early scores together were not what she would have liked.

“That was when I met my mentor, Leon Taylor, who used to be an Olympic diver,” she said.

“He really helped me get rid of those demons in my head and brought it back to being about having fun.

“You forget why you start sport sometimes, which is to have fun. It’s easy to get caught up in ‘I have to win gold medals and make teams’.

“Leon really helped me with that — as soon as I started relaxing and smiling, Rio came into a different league and my results rocketed.

“I still get chills thinking about London. It was a massive atmosphere and one I’m not sure para dressage will have again any time soon.”

London 2012 FreestyleLast week I officially retired my beloved horse, Rio. My coach Clive and I have this running "argument" of who the best horse in world is: my Beijing horse, Lambrusco, or my London horse, Rio. My answer is always Rio as I adore his character – he can be really cheeky when he knows he can get away with it, but he is always super protective of me. He's a real people's horse and he absolutely thrived in the atmosphere of London. He taught me mental toughness, as he really picked up on nerves, but when you relaxed and let him do the work he really shone. Thank you to the Eilbergs for suggesting him to us and to Team Sophie for fundraising to buy him – he was the perfect partner. I'll leave you with arguably my favourite medal moment of my career: my freestyle at London 2012 where we scored a PB of 84.75%. Turn the sound up and enjoy!Posted by Sophie Christiansen on Saturday, September 16, 2017

Sophie and Rio also won individual and team gold at the 2012 Paralympics, before repeating their treble gold success at the 2013 European Championships.

They also won team and individual gold and freestyle silver at the 2014 para dressage World Championships.

Sophie added Rio’s personality is her favourite thing about him.

“He loves people and will always come and say ‘hi’ when you walk into the stables,” she said.

“He still needs a bit of riding as he has been in work all his life — I didn’t want him just to stop.

“He has gone to live with Janet Alderton, who specialises in rehabilitation — she knows not to overdo it with him, while still giving him the right amount of exercise.

“He has been making friends with the pigs and donkeys who also live there!”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Sophie Christiansen targets Tokyo Olympics with exciting new horse

Polly Bryan — Fri, 25 Aug 2017 11:29:11 +0000

The eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen has a new star horse in the making.

The eight-year-old Danish warmblood Amazing Romance was found in Denmark by Mette Assouline earlier this summer.

“He’s big and ginger, and I considered the names of lots of famous ginger men, but being patriotic I named him Harry after Prince Harry,” said Sophie. “He’s such a joy to ride — despite being 17hh he is very balanced. The first time I rode him, it felt as though I had been riding him for years.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

After winning triple gold in Rio, Sophie made the difficult decision to take a year out of competition, giving up the ride on Di Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg, who won triple gold with Britain’s Julie Payne at the European Para Dressage Championships in Gothenburg this week.

“I re-evaluated things after Rio — I had basically given up four years of my life for dressage and people don’t realise what a sacrifice that is,” explained Sophie, who will now be coached by Rob Trobridge. “I wanted to bring the fun back, with a new coach and a new team, and finding the right horse was the last piece of the puzzle.”

The hunt for sponsors

Currently, Harry is based with the Assoulines, and will be competed over the winter by their head girl Jess Thompson, who also piloted Athene in able-bodied dressage prior to Sophie.

“The horse has a fantastic walk and a very good brain — Sophie loves him to bits and we’re very excited about him. We hope he’ll be her Tokyo horse,” said Michel Assouline.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

While Sophie has bought Harry herself, she is on the hunt for sponsors, and possibly an owner.

“Para dressage is so expensive, and I am looking for an owner if the right person comes along,” she said. “I am hoping to find sponsors ahead of Tokyo, as otherwise I may be forced to retire. There is such a lot of pressure to win gold medals, as otherwise I lose my UK Sport funding, which I am very grateful still to have.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Sophie Wells dressage blog: Paralympics part two — winning medals and making unforgettable memories

Sophie Wells — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 13:55:50 +0000

After riding my winning individual test at the Rio Paralympics I went straight to media while Reece was cooled off in the misting fans and got ready for the prize giving. I got to Channel 4 and they wanted to see the confirmed score and final standings on the screen just before my interview, but when I saw it written down, I was a crying mess again, hence the emotional interview. For those who know me, I’m not an emotional person, and it takes a lot to make me cry…

We were then straight into the medal ceremony without a chance to take in what was really going on. But walking down to the podium, seeing Reece being led in by Ange and Sophie made me swell with pride, and of course cry a bit more. Ange and I have worked so hard with Reece over the past 10 years, which made it even more special.

The national anthem and standing on the top of the podium was just the best feeling. It’s really hard to describe sat here tapping away on my laptop. It’s always an honour to wear the British flag on your jacket, but it takes it to another level at a Paralympics, and to then stand on the podium hearing our national anthem is just something else. It’s also the first time the grade IV gold medal has ever been won by a British rider in the history of the Paralympics, so it was another first, and one I will always treasure. This medal was also won by Noki. I wore his tail bracelet through all my tests, so he was with me — the one medal I didn’t manage to win for him, and his owners, Jackie and Neil. They have taken me so far and he really deserved this too.

My Rio haul (Image credit: creditUnknown)

It was probably two hours after my test that I was able to finally get changed and sit down for five minutes to take it in.

The rest of the day went in a bit of a blur. I went to see our family and friends and the rest of my support team at British house that night, and we had dinner together which was lovely.

The next day we gave Reece a little stretch before the freestyle the following day. I did wake up that morning and have to pinch myself to make sure it was real and it actually happened.

There are some strong riders and horses in grade IV now. The best trainers in the world are being used and para sport is really coming into its own.

I was really looking forward to my freestyle. It was a new composition by Tom Hunt, made especially for this competition. There were a few hurdles in the way of trying to sort the floorplan and music, but I was really pleased with the outcome. I hadn’t ridden it in competition before, but I had ridden through it at home and it had worked well. I had it on repeat through my head phones between the individual and competing in the freestyle. I was really ready for it, excited I think, and really looking forward to getting into the arena again and making the most of our time there.

I had decided on loud music in the sound check to get the atmosphere going and I found it was quite spine tingling.

I was the first of the Brits in the freestyle, and was eager to get on and start our warm-up.

Towards the end of the warm-up I was having problems holding my reins in my right hand. My loops, which are on buckles are leather and my saddler, Andy Milner, has made the leather rolled and narrow so it fits on my one finger on each hand, remaining secure which has helped a lot this year. My right hand finger isn’t full length so it doesn’t bend around the loop as far, and I’m very reliant on the grip of my gloves to keep me from losing the reins. I think my glove must have got wet when we were washing Reece off during his warm-up, which lost some of the grip, so just before going in I was worrying about keeping my rein. Once it pops off the end of that finger I lose the rein completely, which scares me sometimes.

I started my test and the floor plan was riding well. I got to the walk and the first movement is the extended walk, which I was grateful of as in the transition my loop slipped off my right finger. My reins were then more the length you would have for free walk and not extended, which the judges picked up on which was frustrating.

We missed our first flying-change of the first line of tempi-changes, which made us finish late going into a canter pirouette, which then made things a little tense, but we got it back and managed to do it well on the other rein. The compulsory movements had all come off, and the music fitted, which are the main things in a freestyle. Plus, I really enjoyed it.

I was pleased with the test, it wasn’t perfect, but there wasn’t much wrong with it either and I was shaking a lot afterwards! I went to cool Reece off and we heard that we had gone into silver medal position at the end of the class. The margin was so small; 0.15% behind Michele George from Belgium, who had taken silver in the individual. The score, 76% wasn’t near our personal best of nearly 81%, but that didn’t reflect how he went.

My team with Reece (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Three judges had me to win, but the other two that didn’t had a bigger margin, which meant we ended up in silver. I was so pleased with the individual medal. Of course the freestyle mattered, and it would have been great to get a hat-trick, but we can’t control the outcome, we can only control our performance in the arena.

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It was also great to hear we had won the team competition by a massive 20%. Then it was time for the medal ceremonies for the freestyle and the team. The horses were extremely well behaved and a credit to our whole team. I hope everyone who was out in Rio with us, and also our home teams that help us keep things going, and the horses in top condition all year, know that these medals are won because of the great people we have around us and the hard work we all put in. All this made possible by our sponsors and supporters, World Class, UK Sport and Lottery funding. Honestly, I hope you all know how much your support means. Dressage is far from an individual sport, it relies on the strongest team. Also the messages of support from home, on social media, texts, emails, cards etc, honestly mean so much. So thank you!

The two days after competition and flying home went really quickly. I was really sad to leave…. I was ready to go home and see everyone there and make sure everyone was ok, but we had the best time, in a very beautiful part of the world, with good company and amazing experiences; memories that will be with me forever.

Flying home on the BPA chartered British Airways plane with the golden nose was just incredible. How I got into first class with so many amazing athletes around me I will never know, but what an experience!

Sophie

Sophie Wells’ dressage blog: Paralympics part one — sabotaging birds

Sophie Wells — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 13:55:16 +0000

Well what can I say? Since my last blog, a small but mighty whirlwind has occurred; the Paralympic games. It was amazing to be a part of it, but also so surreal that it almost feels like it hasn’t happened!

So, myself, Reece and Jorge left on 1 September to start the mammoth journey to Rio. We met up with the rest of the team at The Arrow RDA in Dartford where the selected horses were checked out to make sure they were all healthy and fit to travel. Thankfully all the horses were fine, but this also meant the reserves had to head for home once the selected horses had arrived in Liege, Belgium, at the airport ready to travel the following day to Rio.

Beth, my groom at home, travelled with Reece and Mark Perry who transports the horses to the airport and loaded him in the crate to go on the plane. Sophie Cassey, my competition groom, flew out to Rio the day before the horses so she could be there take him off the lorry the other end and get him settled in his new home. I flew with the rest of the team on the same day as the horses, but from Heathrow and we were very lucky to be able to fly business class, which meant physically we arrived in good form and ready for the competition.

Reece in his Paralympic stable (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The 12-hour flight was quite a long one and Reece did lose some weight, which was expected, but he certainly wasn’t feeling tired when I got to see him!

The next week was spent familiarising the horses to the venue, training arenas and then the competition area at the end of the week. The setting was beautiful with a backdrop of mountains. The main arena definitely felt smaller than the one at London 2012 but it was friendly, which is really important when it comes to the horses feeling comfortable in there by themselves on competition day.

The athlete’s village was amazing. The flats were comfortable and I think making it a homely space is really important when you are away for so long. I decorated my walls with pictures from home and good luck cards. The apartment blocks were surrounded by swimming pools, palm trees, water features, climbing frames, tennis courts…. the list goes on. The normal food hall, which was the second biggest temporary structure in the world, was as crazy as ever. The food was probably the worst bit of the trip. There is only so many times you can have sticky or dry noodles, grilled chicken and well over-cooked broccoli!

All the British horses passed the trot-up — they were beautifully turned out by the very hard working grooms, and we all looked very smart in our Adidas team kit. Although it was supposed to be Brazil’s winter, they had a bit of a heat wave that lasted the two weeks, which meant most days temperatures were over 30 degrees. Therefore we spent a lot of time taking Reece out for some grass where there tended to be a bit of a breeze in an open field, and we were fortunate that the British team took out fans for the horses’ stables to try and keep them cool. We also washed them off with ice water during training and in the warm-up for competitions every 10/15 minutes to keep them as cool as we could.

My first day of competition was the team test. I was thrilled to hear that I was put onto the team to fight for the prestigious team medal that we have all fought so hard to retain. It’s always an honour. I was the first of our team riders to go and we always have in our minds that we need to ride for a safe ‘clear round’ for the team score. I was more nervous than I thought I would be. We trotted in and Reece felt the atmosphere — to be fair I could feel it too!

Reece cooling off in the misting fans (Image credit: creditUnknown)

I think we had all resigned ourselves to the fact that the atmosphere was never going to be like London, being a home games, and with ticket sales being low for the Olympics, we didn’t think there would be many people watching. We were wrong!

The test went well, but it felt like Reece was holding his breath a little bit and he lost his swagger. It was a clean test though, which we needed, just not quite on full power. It was quite a feeling finishing the test and hearing the cheers from the crowd, and the brilliant British supporters. I said to myself before I got on, that I wanted to go in and enjoy it, take it all in and live the experience, and just ride the best I could. We did enough to come second by a small margin, behind reigning Paralympic and world champion, Michele George and Rainman, which was a comfortable position to be in going in to the individual test two days later.

I gave Reece a little trot stretch early the next day before it got too hot. It’s important to keep his muscles moving after working hard the day before, and we did some walk work to keep his brain in gear. He then had the rest of the day to chill out.

I had kept telling myself that it’s not about the medals. Although I train to be the best I can be, some things are out of our control and after the disappointment of London I wanted to go into the Rio games in a different head space. I’ve worked really hard with Jennie Killilea this year on my core values, and have been working with much more of a holistic approach.

I knew what I had to do going into the individual and was in a calm place. I went around the arena in rising trot, talking to Reece and giving him the confidence in there that he had in the warm-up. His swagger had returned. The test was going well, but when I went into canter two birds took residence in the arena. I remember thinking to myself: “You are not going to ruin this for me!” We managed to perform around the birds, we even got through the dreaded simple change that has haunted me since London. I found myself smiling as I was riding round, enjoying it, enjoying dancing with my boy as we have worked so hard to be here. It was then the final centre line with a canter to halt transition at X, and where were the birds? On X. I said in my head “move birds – I need to halt there”. I think they sensed I meant it as at the last moment they waddled quickly to the side of the centre line and we halted – on X!

As soon as I saluted and walked off I felt this surge of emotion that came out of nowhere. We had done everything we could in that test. As soon as I saw Ange coming out of the kiss and cry stand, she was in tears. We didn’t even know a score or the scores of anyone else. We just knew we had delivered what we could and the rest was out of our hands.

Continued below…

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I gave Reece a little trot in the indoor school to cool him off as it was over 30 degrees and the whole of our support team congregated in the corner of the arena. I walked for a bit, then got some water and walked a bit more. I could see them talking and looking at a phone. I knew it would be at the scores, but I didn’t want to know. I wanted to take a moment to let it sink in that we had competed at the Paralympics and done a great test and Reece tried his heart out for me, trusted me, and gave all he had.

I got off and Lucy (the physio) said: “Do you want to know?” I said “no!”. But she told me anyway. “You have done it – you’ve won!”

I burst into tears, I couldn’t believe it. The rush of emotion was so huge, all that time I had been trying to convince myself that the medals didn’t matter — they did. The years and years of work, the disappointments, the struggles and the lessons learnt had all helped to get to this point.. It was amazing to see the rest of the support team that we are so fortunate to have the support of being emotional too. A lot of them have been on our journey for a long time, and know the hard work and heart ache it has taken. So this is for everyone who has contributed in every way, big or small, directly or indirectly, to our journey and success. Thank you.

To be continued…

Sophie

Call for riders with learning disabilities to get Paralympic classification

Lucy Elder — Mon, 03 Oct 2016 09:45:16 +0000

A call has been made for riders with learning disabilities to be allowed to compete in the Paralympics.

Jonathan Kemp (pictured), who has Asperger’s and a learning disability, and his mother Anne are pushing for the change.

Currently there is no grade for riders with an intellectual impairment in the FEI’s eligibility criteria.

However, some sports — such as swimming, table tennis and athletics — do have a relevant grade.

Mrs Kemp told H&H she is making the call not just for her son, but for all those in a similar position.

“It is not just him. I sit on the learning disability partnership board for North Somerset and he is my priority but I will always fight for people like Jonathan,” she said.

“It is discrimination against a disabled group.”

Jonathan won both a jumping and a dressage title at the Riding for the Disabled Association Championships at Hartpury in July.

“We couldn’t believe it,” said Mrs Kemp. “But where else now is there to take him?”

She added his trainer, eventer Jason Hobbs, has been “brilliant”.

Jonathan has also competed affiliated dressage, showjumping and BE80 level eventing.

“They are saying that I am not able to compete in it because it is to do with the fact they do not recognise [my disability],” he told BBC Radio Bristol.

“We need a way of helping me and other people who have the same disability to be recognised.”

Gill Edwards is principal instructor at Avon RDA centre, where Jonathan became involved with the RDA.

“He is absolutely at the top of the game in RDA terms,” she told H&H.

“There are many, many riders with a classification of an intellectual disability that do not have the opportunities, really, to go further.”

She added the “key thing” is finding an evidence-based system that works fairly to allow people with a learning disability to compete on a national and international playing field as much as possible.

A spokesman for the FEI told H&H more research is needed.

“Intellectual disability is being considered as part of the classification research strategy but until we have an evidence-based approach for classifying athletes for para-equestrian dressage, they are not currently eligible to compete,” he said.

“Research is still needed in many areas, particularly safety for different levels of impairment.”

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the RDA added the organisation is “passionately committed” to ensuring there are plenty of opportunities for these riders to achieve significant goals, especially through competition.

“We are working hard to achieve this within our own network and we believe there should be more opportunities for top-flight competition — including on the international stage,” he told H&H.

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“However, we are also aware that the classification of athletes with learning disabilities (competing at any international event, including at the Paralympics) is an incredibly complex and sometimes controversial process, even among those sports which have decided to include classes.

“Until there is a robust and reliable classification process for people with learning disabilities within equestrian sport, our role remains to support our riders and drivers to achieve their best, and to encourage the development of more competitive opportunities in general.”

8 heartwarming moments from the Rio Paralympics

Polly Bryan — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 11:25:23 +0000

1. Pepo Puch

Pepo and family (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow 07917336694)

As soon as Pepo Puch’s individual gold medal winning score been announced, cries of “Papa, Papa” could be heard in the mixed zone. Pepo’s nine-year-old daughter Lou came running towards her father, weaving through the pack of journalists and trailing an Austrian flag, before throwing herself into his arms. She was closely followed by Pepo’s wife and trainer, Michele, and seeing the family embrace and celebrate together was one of the most touching moments of the Games.

2. Lee Pearson

Lee Pearson GBR Gold MedalistPhoto Liz Gregg/FEI (Image credit: Tony Parkes)

Lee Pearson may have already had 10 gold medals to his name, but it was winning his 11th, in the grade Ib freestyle, that the tears came in their floods.

“I’m thinking of all the hard work this gold has taken, especially when some people don’t believe in your horse,” said Lee, who is the most decorated Paralympic rider of all time.

“I’m in love with my team. I’m in love with the lottery. I’m in love with my family, my parents, my brothers, my groom, my partner — everybody that has kept me in the game, kept me here.”

3. Sanne Voets

Sanne Voets NL and "Demantur" Gold Medalists Grade IIIPhoto Liz Gregg (Image credit: Tony Parkes)

The Dutch team may have won the bronze medal, but on the Thursday night Sanne Voets was empty-handed as she had been competing as an individual and not on the team. After finishing an agonising fourth in the grade III individual, she and her Vivaldi gelding Demantur gave the freestyle their all and were rewarded with gold.

“I think I collapsed when I heard I had won the gold!” said Sanne.

4. Stinna Kaastrup

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

One of the most moving stories of the Games was that of Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup. The 22-year-old, who was born without legs, was due to compete at the London Paralympics when her pony Labbenhus Snoevs died suddenly just weeks beforehand. In the interim years she has struggled to find the right horse until Smarties was offered to her, but it took the gelding months to understand her aids and earlier this year she said it would not be possible to be ready for Rio. Then, Stinna experienced “the worst night of my life” after Smarties failed the trot-up. Having made it to Rio against the odds, finally passed the trot-up on reinspection, and produced the grade Ib performances of her life to secure two bronze medals, there is no one who deserved a place on the podium more.

5. Medals

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Discovering that the Rio 2016 Paralympic medals make different noises, as a much-appreciated gesture to blind athletes, came as a surprise to winners. Each colour medal contains a different number of tiny balls, so the bronze makes a deep rattle, the silver a higher-pitched noise, and the gold the highest of all.

6. Natasha Baker

Natasha Baker GBR Gold Medalist Grade IIPhoto Liz Gregg (Image credit: Tony Parkes)

Britain’s Natasha Baker began crying at the salute in her gold medal-winning individual test, and never stopped. This was her London partner Cabral’s final championship and the 15-year-old had proved tricky in the first class of the week, after suffering stage fright in the huge Olympic stadium. But he was a different horse in the second test, and Natasha couldn’t thank her horse enough, “for allowing me to show the world what he can do”.

7. Sergio Oliva

Bronze Medalist Sergio Oliva celebrates with his supporters.Photo Liz Gregg (Image credit: Tony Parkes)

Brazil haven’t won a Paralympic dressage medal since Beijing 2008, but Sergio Oliva delivered what the hoards of fans were hoping for here. The grade Ia rider almost disappeared under a crowd of Brazilian friends, family, media and other supporters after receiving the first of his two gold medals, for the individual championship, and the noisy celebrations continued into the evening.

8. Sophie Wells

Sophie Wells GBR and ValeriusPhoto Liz Gregg (Image credit: Tony Parkes)

For four years, Sophie Wells has been haunted by the memory of losing out on the grade IV individual gold medal in London. Here she achieved her dream with her own Valerius, a 14-year-old gelding she has trained herself for a decade. Seeing her wipe away the tears on the top of the podium, gazing down at the horse with whom she has shared such a journey, was enough to make everybody glad they were wearing sunglasses.

To read the full report from the Rio Paralympic dressage competition, don’t miss the next issue of Horse & Hound magazine, out tomorrow (22 September)

How to follow our para dressage riders in Rio

Lucy Elder — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:47:23 +0000

More than 600 hours of sport from the Paralympics is set to be livestreamed by Channel 4.

Viewers hoping to watch British riders in their bid for medals will be able to watch some tests live on the broadcaster’s All 4 microsite.

The terrestrial Channel 4 and More 4 channels will also be showing coverage from the games, which will include parts of the para dressage competition every day from 1pm-1am with a breakfast show from 6am.

There are 11 sets of medals to be won and Britain has a strong track record. In London 2012, the squad took home 10 individual medals and team gold.

The first horse inspection for the para dressage takes place on Saturday (10 September) with the team tests running from 11-13 September.

Individual medal tests will then be held on 13-15 September, with the individual freestyle medals to be decided on 16 September.

The competition begins at 2pm (BST) each day, with the exception of 15-16 September, where it will start at 1pm.

Horse & Hound’s Polly Bryan will be in Rio to cover the action, with the latest news, scores, stories and video available on the H&H website.

Don’t miss H&H’s Paralympic preview in today’s magazine (8 September) and a full report will feature in the 22 September issue of Horse & Hound.

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Who are Team GBR?

All the British squad members are Paralympic veterans — Lee, Natasha and both Sophies were on the London 2012 squad and this will also be the fifth Paralympics for Anne, who made her debut 20 years ago at Atlanta 1996.

Anne Dunham (grade Ia) with the Lady Joseph Trust and Henrietta Cheetham’s Lucas Normark, a 15-year-old stallion by Ravaldi.
Sophie Christiansen (grade Ia) with Diane Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg, a nine-year-old mare by Gribaldi.
Lee Pearson (grade Ib) with David and Lynda Pearson, Gillian Chinn and his own Zion, a 12-year-old gelding by Flemmingh.
Natasha Baker (grade II) with Christian Landolt, Phil and Lorraine Baker and Dorothy Alder’s Cabral, a 15-year-old gelding by Bujak.
Sophie Wells (grade IV) with her own Valerius, a 14-year-old gelding by Flemmingh.

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