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A summer of dreams, the best selfies ever and an unmatched feat – equestrian sport at the Paris Olympics

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 19:51:00 +0000

A summer of dreams, the best selfies ever taken and a feat unmatched in British sport.

This was the summing up of the equestrian Paris Olympics and Paralympics last summer, by the person who orchestrated the phenomenal teamwork that led to the success.

British Equestrian performance director Helen Nicholls spoke at the National Equine Forum on 6 March, to review Britain’s performance at the 2024 Games.

“I promised last year when we did this presentation that I would come back, good, bad or ugly, and do a post mortem,” she said.

“I’ve got 10 minutes to take you through what was a year of work and a summer of dreams. I probably need about an hour, a bottle of wine and a therapist! But I’ll do my best.”

Ms Nicholls said the team had achieved its dreams, above and beyond what could have been predicted.

“We earned five medals, including two gold, and seven medals from nine events in the Paralympics,” she said. “Every single rider we took to the Olympic and Paralympic Games came back with a medal, a feat unrivalled in British sport.

“That’s not to say it was all plain sailing – far from it – but the mission was well and truly achieved – and resulted in some of the best selfies of all time.”

Ms Nicholls, who added that the showjumpers’ team selfie with the Eiffel Tower in the background was sent at about 3am, asked how success is measured, and that had things gone slightly awry on the day, especially with the three-rider, no drop score format, the results could have been very different.

But, she said, medal-winning is just one part of the World Class programme, which is about finding, preparing and supporting the best riders and horses in the country, to get results and retain expertise to boost the chances of success.

She explained that the “magic” of the programme is taking the number of professionals, in everything from nutrition to research, and “bringing all those together in the right way, in a prioritised order, and you can transform it into something superhuman”.

“There are many nations around the world that have the expertise we have,” she said. “They’ve got brilliant coaches, farriers, saddlers, riders, but ultimately, for us, it’s about how we bring them together.

A unique system

“What we have that’s really special is the system no other country has. In 1997, National Lottery funding from John Major started what we now know as the World Class programme, and that was driven basically on the back of the Atlanta Games, and very poor achievements by Great Britain. It takes National Lottery funding and puts it into delivering results and winning and making the nation proud.

“And that program still runs today, still does exactly the same thing. It’s solely focused on making the nation proud and winning levels. We don’t get involved in running events, we don’t train volunteers, we don’t measure ponies, we don’t try to solve all the problems of the world and other sports. But what we do do is try to run a package of support for each of the riders that increases their chances of being successful. It’s a hugely privileged position, and one of great responsibility, and one me and my team take incredibly seriously.”

Ms Nicholls said the key is that the funding is “mutual money”, the only purpose of which is to deliver results, rather than from private benefactors, which may not always have the desired impact on performance.

“It’s really rare to find mutual funding, and it’s our biggest weapon, so please keep buying lottery tickets! It really makes a difference, and it really, really matters.”

Ms Nicholls also cited Britain’s selection policies, which are a “balance of the objective, the subjective, the art and the science and blending that together”, rather than selecting based on one qualifier. Other nations do the latter, she said, which can help us as they “lose control” over the selection.

“I think the proudest moment I had at the Games was when I saw the teams, and I was really, really confident we had exactly the right people on the right horses at the right time,” she said.

Paralympic success

In para dressage, Ms Nicholls referenced Britain’s success in winning seven individual medals from nine events. This was the first time Britain had not won Paralympic team gold since the sport was introduced, but Ms Nicholls said it is not healthy for any sport if the same country wins gold at every Games.

“One of the things I am proud of is the fact that Great Britain is still playing right at the top of the medal table in an evolving world of that sport,’ she said. “We have lots of thinking to do, about how we keep the horsepower, select athletes, etc, but it is evolving and we’re looking at LA in terms of how we should take that on board.”

Ms Nicholls said one huge positive was how relevant equestrianism was at a modern Olympics, citing the park at Versailles on cross-country day, or the atmosphere when the showjumpers were accepting their medals.

“It was absolutely relevant to the Games,” she said. “Equestrian was the second sport to sell out tickets, and the global audience was massive. Sometimes I think our harshest critics are within our sport and to the external world, it really, really mattered and it was really relevant.”

Of course the start to the Games, as Charlotte Dujardin was suspended just beforehand, was very difficult.

“People ask about it, and my overwhelming reflection was sadness,” she said. “It was sad for everybody involved, sad for the horse involved, sad for the sport. But my overwhelming impression was that it was really, really sad for the athletes who were preparing to deliver their best on the world stage at that time. It was sad that when they went to the mixed zone, the first question they were asked was about that matter, rather than their performances.

A huge thank you

“At this point I’d just say a huge thank you to everybody in the equestrian media for asking those questions, but asking them in a responsible and a caring manner, which really helped us. It was interesting to see some of the media outlets that never pay any attention turned up in Versailles on those days, and they thought they were going to get to the front of the queue in the mixed zone. But I can tell you the equestrian media have got sharp elbows!

“Thank you very much to equestrian sport as a whole. I think when times get tough, you find out who your friends are, and the team can fall apart and splinter, or they can pull together and deliver. We have four amazing performance managers in Dickie Waygood, Caroline Griffith, Di Lampard and George Sharples. And they were not going to leave Paris without delivering those medals.”

Ms Nicholls paid tribute to the whole team who made the success possible, and pointed out that despite a perception that equestrian sport is elite, “that’s not true”. Of our nine Olmpic riders, only three went to private schools.

“It’s a long, long journey, it’s not a quick win and a lot of credit and success when we come home with medals belongs to the sport,” she said.

“Ultimately, our athletes are ordinary human beings doing extraordinary things. They have their own flaws and failings, just like all of us, they have fears and hopes and dreams. The early mornings, the falls, the disappointments and the challenges they face. Three weeks before Paris, on a Saturday morning, I was in Portsmouth hospital with Harry Charles with his arm in a cast to his shoulder, waiting for one of the best surgeons in the world to come and do an assessment on whether his arm was going to actually be ok. That’s when you see what it takes to be a champion and how much is invested, but also how much they have to lose.”

Incredible reserves

Ms Nicholl also praised the reserve riders, Yasmin Ingham, Joe Stockdale and Andrew Gould, who never got to ride but were with the teams throughout, helping at every step, which was “incredible to watch”.

“What human beings they are; they’re special,” she said. And she added that Paris might not long be over but the team has eyes on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“I was in LA last week,” she said. “It’s busy, it’s hot, it’s expensive, and it’s only three and a bit years to go,” she said. “So we’ve got some challenges. But we know we left some medals behind in Paris, and we know we can sharpen up in some areas. So my promise to you is that in four years’ time, I will come back again, good, bad or ugly. Our commitment is that we will set even higher goals – see you in four years’ time.”

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The Queen hosts celebration to thank Paris Olympic and Paralympic riders

Becky Murray — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:24:57 +0000

The achievements of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic riders in Paris have been celebrated at a ceremony hosted by The Queen.

Yesterday evening (22 January) riders, owners, grooms, support staff, and British Equestrian (BEF) representatives attended a reception at Clarence House, London.

The Queen met the eventing team’s Ros Canter and travelling reserve Yas Ingham, dressage travelling reserve Andrew Gould and para dressage riders Natasha Baker, Mari Durward-Akhurt, Sophie Wells and Georgia Wilson. BEF chief executive Jim Eyre, performance director Helen Nicholls, dressage performance manager Caroline Griffith and para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples were also in attendance.

The Queen spent time talking to owners and grooms, “acknowledging the vital roles they played in the teams’ successes”.

Mr Eyre thanked The Queen for her hospitality, “enduring support for the equestrian community” and continued patronage of the federation.

“He also took the opportunity to thank the athletes for their hard work and determination during their performances at the Games. He paid tribute to the owners, who are the backbone of our sport, and the grooms who dedicate their lives to the wellbeing of their equine charges,” said a BEF spokesperson.

“He ended by recognising the ‘team behind the team’ – the support staff, the performance managers and the practitioners, who all work tirelessly to ensure the athletes and horses can perform to their best on the world stage.”

The Queen was presented with a commemorative book of photographs, which captured “key moments and the team spirit” from Paris.

“I’m so proud to be your patron and what you achieved in Paris made us all feel very proud to be British,” said The Queen.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but I was watching every bit of it on television and it really did bring tears to the eyes. Thank you to the whole team for everything you do.”

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Five billion followers, Snoop Dogg and the ‘lasting legacy’ of Paris 2024

Lucy Elder — Tue, 24 Dec 2024 20:32:48 +0000

The Paris 2024 Olympics were “the most followed Games ever” and leave a measurable legacy.

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach referred to the event’s insights and audience report, released this month, which found that five billion people followed Paris 2024.

“They were Games with the highest marks of appreciation ever given by the stakeholders and the public,” added Mr Bach.

The FEI’s own report, which naturally focused on equestrian sport, states that there were 184,000 spectators at the equine events in Versailles, with some 40,000 on cross-country day.

In a video shown at the FEI general assembly in November, Anne Murac, a Paris 2024 sports cluster manager for Paris 2024, said the images from and athlete performances in the equestrian competitions “were simply breathtaking and inspirational”.

The FEI also mapped social media reactions and emotions during the Games period. One of the biggest spikes was around the Charlotte Dujardin news. In general, there was an increase in negative feedback in 2024 compared to 2023, particularly concerning animal welfare in dressage.

FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez highlighted how the emotional responses changed, which showed that anger and disgust were high before the Games – but that during the equestrian events, that shifted to joy.

“What happened before, happened before, but during the Games itself, it was extremely positive,” she said.

The other major spike in social media activity was around Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart’s visit to Versailles. There was also notable buzz around Laura Collett and London 52’s record-breaking eventing dressage score, and Anush Agarwalla becoming India’s first Olympic dressage rider.

Amy Powell, venue media manager for equestrian and modern pentathlon, reported that the venue “regularly hosted 200 members of the media on any given day” and that “incredible performances” and showcasing “what true equestrian partnerships are made of” in the stunning venue led to a shift towards a “very positive vibe in the mixed zone”.

She added that even what may be considered “more popular” sports “drew in significantly fewer photographers than we hosted in Versailles, even on our quietest days”.

“It could be so easy to fall into the trap of thinking our little niche sport in the corner of the global sports industry could be long forgotten, as those iconic images disappear from our social media feeds,” she said.

“However, having witnessed the incredible appetite for our sports from media and spectators alike […] there really is room for us to propel equestrianism to even higher limits, bigger audiences and more sponsors.”

The sport’s tangible legacy has resulted in restoration of parts of Versailles, including the forest and water features. H&H also understands that Versailles park officials were “highly impressed and enthusiastic” about the equestrian competitions, expressing interest in exploring the possibility of hosting future equestrian events there.

“The equestrian events at Paris 2024 not only showcased world-class sport, but also demonstrated how competition can coexist with environmental stewardship,” retiring FEI Olympic and eventing director Catrin Norinder told H&H.

“By restoring and enhancing the forest areas of Versailles, we’ve left behind a lasting legacy that aligns perfectly with the sustainability values of the Paris 2024 vision.”

Paris organisers announced on 12 December that they had reduced the carbon footprint of the Games by 54.6%, compared with the average for London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Iconic fences from Paris 2024 have also already featured in major competitions, including the young horse World Championships at Le Lion and Spruce Meadows “Masters”.

Ian Allison, senior vice-president, sport and media services at Spruce Meadows, told H&H the venue is “delighted” to add “magnificent jumps” from Paris to its championship collection.

“Beginning in 1976 with the Montreal Olympiad, Spruce Meadows has selectively built a truly unique inventory spanning Olympic Games and a variety of FEI championships. Like our sport, our suite of jumps truly spans the globe,” said Mr Allison.

“The addition of these signature obstacles will continue the legacy of the Paris Olympiad in the Spruce Meadows’ International Ring as it has for the games of Seoul, Sydney, Rio, London, Beijing, Tokyo, Atlanta and Athens, to name but a few.”

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‘It’s starting to sink in’: Mari Durward-Akhurst on bouncing back from early disappointment at Paris 2024

Oscar Williams — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 16:30:10 +0000

“It was incredible,” says Mari Durward-Akhurst reflecting on winning a bronze medal in the grade I freestyle at her first-ever Paralympic Games in September. “To finally be able to say I’m a Paralympian,” she adds, pausing for a second, “well, it’s been a lifelong dream and I think it’s starting to sink in. I want to go and do it again now!”

It may have been the first Games in which Britain didn’t win team gold – finishing sixth – but for those in Paris, it didn’t feel like a disappointment.

Watching Natasha Baker’s comeback, Sophie Wells’ inexperienced LJT Egebjerggardds Samoa grow in confidence with each test and Georgia Wilson’s charming Sakura battle against the imperious Diamond Dunes in front of sell-out crowds, it was impossible not to be proud.

But there was a unique sense of shared pride in seeing Mari win that bronze medal. She’d come into the Games with a sense of expectation building behind her – she was world number one and was riding the experienced all-star Athene Lindebjerg who had formerly won triple gold at the Rio Paralympics under the now-retired Sophie Christiansen.

“It was a lot of pressure,” Mari said at the time. “The morning of the individual test was a nightmare, I was getting myself in a bit of a state.

“I tried to block out the crowds and everything else, I was just trying to concentrate on the test and what I needed to do to keep Athene with me.”

The pair delivered a flowing test but errors in movements with double coefficients brought them to sixth on 71.79%. “I was disappointed but we couldn’t have done any more,” Mari says.

The larger-than-normal British press pack who came to Versailles hungry for medals were also quite a tough crowd for Mari to face after her test, and they struggled to look past Athene’s successes eight years ago; which was a shame because a lot has changed since then.

Athene last competed at a championship in 2017 and she’s had two foals in the meantime. It’s also taken time and a lot of hard work in the gym for Mari – who has a rare degenerative neurological condition that affects all four of her limbs – to develop the strength to be able to ride her.

“That extra work has made a huge difference,” she explains. “I know that when I was offered the ride on Athene a year ago if I hadn’t been doing it all I wouldn’t have been able to ride her because her walk is so big and I need a strong core to be able to stay on top of her.”

Knowing this was a performance years in the making made it hard to see Mari disheartened with it. Adding to that sense of disappointment was a late adjustment to her score, which resulted in it coming down to become the lowest of the British quartet, meaning she missed out on a spot in the three-person team competition.

“It took me a bit of time to come around,” Mari admits. “I went out to support the team when they were competing and I was able to fit in a schooling session with Athene around that, which kind of gave me the motivation to come back out on freestyle day.

“My coach Rob Waine then said to me, ‘You’ve got nothing to lose now so just go in and ride it and we’ll see what happens.’ And really you want to be able to ride in that arena as much as you can!”

Riding to dramatic music from The Pirates of the Caribbean and Pearl Harbour, Mari and Athene made up three places, scoring 77.75% to win the bronze medal. It was an emotional comeback, not only for Mari but also for the entire team in Paris.

“I didn’t even realise it was raining while I was doing it,” Mari says. “I was just in the zone, listening to our music and thinking about the next movement. I’m so glad we got to do it, and now, actually having the medal, feels so so good because it means I can share my story.”

To learn more about Mari Durward-Akhurst read our exclusive interview in full in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine, in shops from 21 November.

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Pammy Hutton: ‘Losing Britain’s hugely successful para dressage trainer to the USA was a mistake’

Pammy Hutton — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 11:29:45 +0000

Pammy Hutton on Paralympic pride and standing up for dressage

After 50-plus years’ involvement with para riders, I remain humbled by how anyone with a disability succeeds in any sport – particularly on top of a horse. It cannot always be with a perfect position and textbook aids, as some cannot achieve this. Yet their horses go as well at the level as many able-bodied riders.

Therein lies the secret – communication! And, of course, feel. Two qualities all too often neglected by riders and trainers alike.

Once upon a time, para dressage was on borrowed horses at the Paralympics. Standards are now all the better for being on riders’ own horses. Although against that is the mouth-watering expense of the right horse to win a medal.

On the one hand, the paras are now doing dressage and doing it well. On the other hand, the sport is no longer a level playing field. Money is needed to compete at the top level, fuelling elitism.

Another observation is that there are more officers than troops behind the scenes. I’ve never in my life seen more British Equestrian (BEF)-employed people in one place than at a recent para competition.

While I agree we need the BEF as an umbrella body, could more funding go to riders and trainers or the lower end of the pyramid? And, while I’m at it, how about less lunching and more support for riding schools that help to nurture future para talent?

I don’t know a thing about politics, but I know a lot about trainers. And losing Michel Assouline to the USA was very careless indeed. Michel trained the British team to bring home 64 gold medals during his 12-year tenure. He really pulls a team together with his top-class coaching abilities. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, but letting him go was a big mistake in my book.

However, none of this should take away from the positives. Although the Brits missed out on a team medal for the first time ever they came away individually with many bronze medals and Georgia Wilson’s silver.

To reclaim the golden era of British para dressage, we must take on board some of the above. And a heads-up, this columnist hopes to have an interest towards Los Angeles 2028 – although it won’t be me riding.

Educating the public – or else

Having watched the breakdancing (known as breaking) from the Paris Olympics, I now understand how hard it is to appreciate a sport about which one is clueless. Dressage, too, is a hard sport for the uninitiated to understand. And that’s true for the vast majority of people, including many who would otherwise label themselves as horsey.

If the public cannot grasp the fundamentals of our sport – and comprehend that what might look like unnatural movements can also be witnessed in a field of loose horses – the cause to keep dressage in the Olympic Games will be lost.

My husband Brian and I enjoyed watching the breakdancing. In our blissful ignorance, we even chose the winner – the gold medal going to the most beautiful to watch, smoothest performer. Something to remember as we all work hard to maintain equestrian sport?

We must stand up for dressage

Oh, British Dressage, BEF and FEI! Couldn’t you have had one competent spokesperson to do timely press interviews, stand up for dressage and help the sport move forward when it most needed you?

I’m referring, of course, to the overbearing shadow of “that video”, which hung over the first week of an otherwise fantastic Olympic dressage competition.

I only did my thing and spoke to the media as no one else stepped up. I was probably the only rider in Britain not to receive an email telling me to keep quiet. Although to be fair, I was thanked afterwards.

Honestly, dressage’s media representation has been as much good as a chocolate teapot. Subsequent cautious statements said the right thing, but they said so little. Meanwhile, social media is going nowhere and neither is the backlash.

So let the change begin with softer, happier horses and kinder training to the fore.

● Do you think dressage needs better representation in the media? Write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and country, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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History makers! What are the secrets behind the USA’s first-ever Paralympic team gold?

Oscar Williams — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 07:25:57 +0000

Personal best scores by Fiona Howard in grade II on Diamond Dunes (80%) and Rebecca Hart in grade III on Floratina (78.57%), added to the score already set by teammate Roxanne Trunnell in grade I on Fan Tastico H, to secure team gold for the USA at the Paris Paralympics.

But even if they hadn’t won team gold, this still would’ve been the USA’s most successful Paralympics ever. Two more golds on the final day took their total tally to seven medals overall – five golds, one silver and one bronze. That absolutely smashed their previous Games best of two golds and a bronze achieved at Atlanta 1996.

It’s also only three years since they won their first-ever Paralympic team medal, with bronze in Tokyo.

Rebecca Hart (left), Fiona Howard (centre) and Roxanne Trunnell (right) atop the podium after winning team gold at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Their meteoric rise over the last three Games is more than impressive – it’s unprecedented.

That’s why, once all the medals had been dished out, we spoke to the athletes and the coaches to learn the secrets behind their success, and one name kept cropping up – Michel Assouline.

Michel has been US Equestrian’s head coach for para dressage since 2017. But before that he spent 12 years as head coach to the British team who were dominant during that period.

“I think it all comes from Michel,” said Roxanne following her team test. “He got us into shape, and all his experience has helped us.”

Fiona agrees, adding that their programme has been revamped since the 2016 Games in Rio.

“He’s been wonderful in developing our athletes and our infrastructure,” she explained. “We’ve always had talented people, it’s just a matter of structuring our programmes so we can get the best out of everyone.

“It’s also his belief in us, he’s always like ‘You can do this’, and I think that’s such a great quality to have in a coach and it’s passed on through our whole team. We all support each other, and we push each other, and we’re there for each other in the ups and downs.”

Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H during their grade I team test at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: FEI/Lizz Gregg)

Michel explained that he’d used the experience he gained in Britain to re-develop the para dressage programme in the USA.

“When I took the job I knew we had a hard climb because when I started we were 12th in the world,” he said.

“But I like challenges, and I had done GB for so long, and winning gold after gold after gold, I thought it’s time to move on.

“It’s been a slow process, we won some medals at the World Championships in 2018, and then in Tokyo we got the team bronze – you could see that we were just inch-by-inch getting there.

“I’ve developed a completely new strategy, we had to revisit everything. I’ve had to develop a coaching programme specifically for para coaches because they didn’t have that before – as well as judges, training camps, and so on.

“I learnt a lot with ParalympicsGB, I worked really well with the world class performance director Will Connell. I was very lucky to be selected for an elite coach course with UK Sport and I’ve also got a sports degree back in France so I knew I had all the elements in my head to build a plan to give us the best chance ever.”

Michel added that as well as the long term redevelopment of the USA’s para infrastructure, he also had a shorter three-month plan specifically for the Paris Games. The team were based in Europe, competing at CPEDI3*s together at Hagen, Fontainebleau and Mannheim, with their scores climbing with each outing.

“This was important, because in the USA we’re so isolated,” Michel explained. “There are not a lot of riders over there and they were all competing against themselves, so there’s nobody else to compare with.

“I think we have maybe 18 [international] para riders in the whole country, it’s a very small pool. But I’ve always felt that they have a really good equestrian culture and there was a good base to work with.”

As well as new training programmes, the USA has been able to effectively source the horsepower needed to win medals. Just as their able-bodied counterparts did, Team USA invested in several new combinations for Paris – but with significantly more success.

Supporters watch on as Team USA win team gold at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: FEI/Liz Gregg)

Roxanne and Fan Tastico H have only been together since March, the same month Fiona and now triple-gold-medallist Diamond Dunes made their international debut. Kate Shoemaker made her debut in February with Vianne, who is a former finalist at the World Breeding Championships in Ermelo, while Rebecca teamed up with Floratina – who is a former able-bodied small tour Pan American Games medallist – in 2023.

“It takes a lot of travelling to find them,” Michel explained. “To tell the truth my wife Mette – who was the one to find Athene Lindebjerg for the British team and several other Lady Joseph Trust horses – is fantastic for that, she is my strongest ally.

“She’s always travelling the world looking for horses, and when she finds one she tells me and we go to try them. But it’s not just about finding a horse, it has to be rideable and suitable for a particular grade, and she has great feel for that.

“But it still takes a long time, it’s a difficult process. Sometimes you see 10 horses and it doesn’t work – it’s like a puzzle, everything has to be exactly right.”

On whether he could be tempted back to a role in Britain to revitalise their medal chances, Michel added: “There are always hundreds of possibilities, we’ll see what the world gives.

“For me, it was a test with the USA, but I know now that what I’ve got on the books is a system that works.

“And I hope that our colleagues in Britain know that Mette would always be happy to help find horses.”

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‘I want another baby!’: Natasha Baker crowns her comeback with another Paris 2024 medal

Oscar Williams — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 16:52:56 +0000

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”) brought the curtain down on what has been a redemptive, and cathartic day for British para dressage, winning bronze in the grade III freestyle at the Paris Paralympics.

Natasha scored 77.14% to collect the 10th medal of her Paralympic career. That brings Britain’s final medal haul from the Games to seven – six bronzes, and one silver.

She entered the arena to a raucous atmosphere. Despite the big screens asking for silence after each test, everyone was on their feet, applauding, stomping and cheering for French rider Chiara Zenati, who rode just before Natasha. It was phenomenal to watch, and the competition was all the better for it – it was a fantastic advertisement for para dressage.

“I loved every second of it,” said Natasha after her test. “The crowd were epic, I was hoping that might lift her a bit, I was like ‘Come on Lottie, this is your moment, soak it all up!’

“The freestyle is the thing I’ve been most looking forward to all week and she was amazing, I’m so grateful for all the opportunities she’s given me over the years.

“I think maybe her way of going was a bit better yesterday. We got 80% in the build up to Paris and I was hoping for something closer to that today, but she felt a little tired.

“I could have maybe done with a bit more pizzazz – but it’s always a fine line because you don’t want so much that they bubble over.”

At this point in the interview Natasha wasn’t sure if she’d win a medal. It all came down to what Italy’s Francesca Salvade scored. Francesca’s test was going on while Natasha did the media rounds. There were big screens in the mixed zone but they were slightly behind the action in the arena, so there was a nervous wait.

Then a call came from the arena – “she’s behind you!” – and Natasha broke into tears.

“I’m just so happy,” she said, looking at her son Joshua who was sitting in her lap as she spoke. “I never expected it in a million years, this is for you little man.

“I just want him to look back on his mummy in 18 years time and just think ‘Wow, my mum is pretty darn cool!’

“I want to be able to show him that I had a dream when I was little, and I went out there and grabbed it, so this is for him. He’s worth more than all of my medals put together.

“Before him my whole life revolved around riding and that was all I ever focussed on – I just wanted to go out and win medals.

“But after having him, it puts everything into perspective. He’s the most important thing in my life now, he’s my proudest achievement and I’ve done this to make him proud.”

So much has gone into this comeback for Natasha, who only returned to competition after having Joshua a few months ago.

“It’s one thing for able-bodied athletes to go and have babies and come back, but as a para athlete you never now how pregnancy is going to treat you.

“But I’ve always had Paris in the forefront of my mind, I always wanted to come here. I knew it was going to be a mission, probably a naive mission, to get here but I’ve managed it and picked up two medals along the way.

“Now, I want another baby and then we’ll see what happens. I think this might be Lottie’s last Paralympics, she’s 13-years-old so she could make LA, but we’ll see how it goes.

“If it happens again I’ll be really, really blessed, but right now I honestly don’t know – I just want to expand the crop!”

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‘I can’t describe this feeling’: Georgia Wilson wins a spectacular silver at Paris 2024

Oscar Williams — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 14:18:52 +0000

Georgia Wilson and Sakura (“Suki”) have won a spectacular silver in the grade II freestyle on 79.37% at the Paris Paralympics – matching the personal best she set at last summer’s European Championships.

After the disappointment of finishing outside the medals in the team competition yesterday, the British riders have all been in fantastic form so far on freestyle day.

Sophie Wells and LJT Ebdegaards Samoa won bronze in the grade V this morning, before Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg later climbed three places from their individual test to win bronze in the grade I freestyle.

“It’s been amazing,” Georgia said. “I was nervous because of the long wait before my test but I knew we’ve done it before lots of times, and that if I tried my best we could get a good score, and I think we’ve done that.

“She tried her heart out and I can’t thank Suki enough. Mum and dad sold their motorhome – which was their retirement present – for Suki, but I don’t think they’ll miss the motorhome too much now!”

Georgia has won three bronze medals previously, so silver here was her best-ever finish at a Paralympics.

Like Mari earlier in the day, Georgia had to wait and watch the riders to come after her on the screens in the mixed zone.

Among them were the USA’s Fiona Howard on Diamond Dunes and Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen on Goerklintgaards Quater, who both finished ahead of Georgia in the individual test.

Both were remarkable, big-moving horses – testament to the horsepower which has been brought into para dressage, and quite a contrast to the more compact Sakura. However, a mistake by Katrine in the medium trot meant she finished outside the podium places in fourth on 75.69%.

“I can’t describe the feeling,” Georgia said, once she’d realised she’d won silver. “It’s a dream come true – to break out of the bronzes and to bring a silver back home to Wales is incredible.

“All the training that goes into it and to pull it off when it’s most important doesn’t happen often, and I think we’ve all done ourselves proud so far – we’re still fighting and we’ll come back even stronger.”

Fiona won her third gold medal of the competition on 81.99% – which means all three of her medals have been won with personal best scores.

“The third day I always have to dig a little deep because by that point my muscles are definitely tired,” Fiona explained. “But I have such a great partner in Diamond Dunes, and he went out there and gave me everything and whatever the results had been, I would’ve been so proud of him.”

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus will be last-to-go for the Brits, who’ll be hoping the medals keep rolling in.

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Wow! Mari Durward-Akhurst and peerless Athene Linebjerg win grade I freestyle bronze against the odds at Paris 2024

Oscar Williams — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 12:24:25 +0000

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg brought their Paralympic debut to an end on a high note, scoring 77.75% in the grade I freestyle to win bronze at the Paris Paralympics against the odds.

It was a remarkable improvement from their individual test, where they finished sixth on 71.79%.

“I’m really happy with it, it was really hard work but I think I got what the judges were looking for,” Mari said immediately after her test, before she knew quite how well she’d done.

Riding to dramatic and emotional music from The Pirates of the Caribbean and Pearl Harbour, Athene’s panther-like walk ate up the ground and the pair didn’t have any notable mistakes.

“It was our first time riding to that music in competition so I was slightly concerned that it might not fit,” Mari explained. “But everything came off, especially our shoulder-in which I find really hard, but I put her into position and she said ‘I’ve got this’.

“I didn’t even realise it was raining, I was just in the zone, listening to our music and thinking about the next movement. I’m so glad we got to do it.”

Despite going into first after her test, Mari still didn’t look like she expected to win a medal, especially because Roxanne Trunnell, Rihards Snikus and Sara Morganti who won the individual grade I medals were yet to go.

However, a lower than expected 77.3% for Roxanne and Fan Tastico H – who were part of the gold medal-winning USA team yesterday – opened the door for the British combination.

There was no such mistake from Rihards and King Of The Dance, who won a historic individual gold for Latvia on Tuesday and took gold again here, scoring a massive 82.49%. Sara– who was last to go – once again had to settle for silver, scoring an impressive 81.4% on Mariebelle.

“It‘s been amazing,” said Mari reflecting on her Paralympic debut. “I was really disappointed after the first day, especially as my score changed, and went down, and it took a bit to get over it and come back to do the music.

“But it’s incredible to finally be able to say I’m a Paralympian – it’s been a life long dream and I think it’s starting to sink in now. It’s only onwards and upwards from here.”

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‘I’m really proud’: Sophie Wells’ brilliant Paris 2024 bronze brings her remarkable medal collection to 40

Oscar Williams — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 11:02:42 +0000

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (“Diana”) won their second individual bronze medal of the Paris Paralympics, scoring 75.45% in the grade V freestyle.

The indomitable Michele George won gold on Best Of 8 with 81.47% for Belgium – her eighth Paralympic gold, and fourth successive freestyle title – while Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp took silver with 80.1% on Highlander Delights.

Brazil’s Rodolpho Riskalla and Denzel were late withdrawals at this morning’s trot up, which opened up a spot for Ireland’s Sarah Slattery who scored 71.76% to finish seventh.

“I’m so pleased,” Sophie said, as she huddled under a tree in the mixed zone to escape the oncoming rain and watch Regine’s test.

“I finished the test and I thought ‘I couldn’t have asked any more from her’.

“The first simple changes weren’t perfect but we didn’t have a horrendous error like yesterday.”

Riding to the same music from Romeo and Juliet which Sophie used at last summer’s Europeans, the pair had a host of highlights.

Their voltes, half passes and brave medium canter lines back towards the main grandstand were their standout movements.

Diana – who was beautifully turned out by travelling groom Beth Revill – shone, and looks to have a huge career ahead of her.

“It’s a simple floor plan because she doesn’t need something complicated at this stage in her career,” Sophie explained.

The pair included all the compulsory movements, but Sophie added that she was keen not to overextend Diana by chasing a high degree of difficulty.

“We thought we’d go simple and basic and hope it’s enough for now – she has another floor plan of music but I didn’t want to do it a Paralympic Games.

“I believe in this horse so much and I’m chuffed to bits with her. It was amazing to ride in the arena again, I went in and thought ‘this is the last time, so I want to enjoy it’.”

Her bronze medal brings Sophie’s championship medal collection up to a remarkable 40. As she reflected on her Paris experience, the tears that her friend and colleague Erin Orford – who also put together Sophie’s music – has been trying to get from her all week flowed freely.

“I’m really proud,” she said, “I’m proud that my family and friends are here, and they got to see it too.

“Oh I don’t know what’s wrong with me, I think it’s raining inside my hat!”

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Paris Paralympics freestyle times released: final shot at medals for Brits and other riders

Oscar Williams — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 20:35:13 +0000

The Paris Paralympics dressage times for Saturday’s (7 September) freestyle have now been released. The top eight from each grade in Tuesday (3 September) and Wednesday’s (4 September) individual tests qualified, meaning all the British combinations will have one more shot at a medal.

Following the disappointment of missing out on team medals, all the British riders were excited at the prospect of leaving Paris on a high note.

“The freestyle is my best test,” said Natasha Baker. “I get to ride to my amazing music and a floor plan I’ve choreographed to show her off at her best – I can’t wait.

“It’s going to be a Cher and Shania Twain mix. I’m going to get the party started in Versailles. It’s loud, it’s bold, it’s sassy, and it also tells a bit of a story about my comeback

“It’s been put together beautifully by Nicole Pendzich and she’s done an amazing job. All my freestyles in the past have been very much about the horse but this is very much about me.”

The grade IV riders will be the first to go tomorrow, with Belgium’s Manon Claeys (Katharina Sollenburg) getting things underway at 9.30am local time (8.30am British time).

If you would like to watch your favourite riders compete in the dressage at the Paris Paralympic Games, find out how you can follow on TV from anywhere in the world with our comprehensive guide.

When will the British riders go?

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa at 11.42am local time (10.42am British time) in grade V
Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg at 12.57pm local time (11.57am British time) in grade I
Georgia Wilson and Sakura at 2.42pm local time (1.42pm British time) in grade II
Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus at 4.09pm local time (3.09pm British time) in grade III

Who else should you look out for?

France’s Vladimir Vinchon and Pegase Mayenne at 10.24 am local time (9.24am British time)
The Netherlands’ Demi Haerkens and Daula at 10.33am local time (9.33am British time)
Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King Of The Dance at 1.33pm local time (12.33pm British time) in grade I
Australia’s Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise at 2.06pm local time (1.06pm British time) in grade II
The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes at 3pm local time (2pm British time) in grade II

Paralympics dressage freestyle times – complete list of tests

The full times are listed below.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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‘We should all be incredibly proud’: British disappointment as USA set new record at Paris 2024

Oscar Williams — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 16:50:15 +0000

Britain has missed out on a Paralympic dressage team medal for the first time in the sport’s history, finishing in sixth on a team score of 219.562.

After winning their first-ever team medal in Tokyo, the USA put in a series of sensational performances to win gold with a record-breaking score of 235.567. Despite improving on their Tokyo team score, the Dutch team had to settle for silver on 223.751 while Germany took bronze on 223.751.

The well-backed Dutch team got off to a flying start in the grade IV. First, team veteran Sanne Voets and the decorated Demantur managed to improve on their score from the individual test to earn 76.57%. Then Demi Haerkens and Duala added to the team total, with a score of 78.22%.

Roxanne Trunnell was first to go for the USA in the grade I, achieving 77%. However, the real difference makers were Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes in grade II, who scored a massive personal best of 80% – the highest score of the competition so far.

“From the first halt to the last halt it was all highlights,” Fiona said. “What a feeling when you can just trust your horse, and he just kept giving and giving. At the end my muscles were getting really tired, and I said ‘Keep going buddy’, and he was like ‘I got you’ – he’s incredible.”

Rebecca Hart and Floratina score a personal best to ensure a first-ever team gold medal for the USA at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq were next up for the Dutch and scored another massive score of 78.07% in the grade III. Last-to-go for the USA, Rebecca Hart and Floratina, entered the arena immediately after Rixt and had to score a personal best of plus 76% to win gold.

A tall order, but as soon as the combination got under way, it was never in doubt – their test was close to faultless, scoring 78.57%

“This one I dug deep for,” beamed Rebecca. “It’s always a bit intense being the closer for the team and knowing what your score needs to be in a pressure cooker situation.

“I was doing the math, and I managed to peak a look at the board for Rixt’s score and thought, ‘OK, lets go, game on!’

“I’m so proud of these girls and everyone behind the scenes, it wouldn’t have happened without each and everyone of us putting our best foot forward – it’s like a fairytale. This win will give us such a huge boost, so many times para sport isn’t highlighted as much as able-bodied sport.

“What I’m really, really hoping that this success and these medals bring for para is the recognition and the equality of the multiple disciplines within our federations, and realising we are valuable and we can deliver when we need to.”

No medals for Britain, but optimism for the future

Sophie Wells and the inexperienced LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (“Diana”) were first to go for the British team. Sophie thinks this mare will be “the best horse in the world at some point”, and they had moments of real quality in their test, with the shoulder-ins a particular highlight.

However, a break in the first extended trot and an expensive mistake in the first simple change after the half-pass to the centre line kept their score at 70.89%.

“I’m kicking myself if I’m absolutely frank,” said Sophie, who looked devastated but had to put on a brave face when she was waylaid on her way to the mixed zone after her test by Prince Edward, who’s a patron of the British Paralympic Association.

“She felt so good going in but I relaxed for a second in the extended trot, and then for the simple change, I just didn’t feel it coming. She surged out into the half-pass and I was like ‘Just be patient, get her back’.

“I got it back in the walk but then I clearly got my timing wrong, and you know she might be eight but I can still ride a simple change, and it’s a double coefficient which was really, really rubbish.

“I know I’ve got to keep her confidence, so once I tried to strike back off and didn’t get it, I just decided to stop asking.

“But it feels like time goes so quick in there, you take a breath for a second and it feels like 20 seconds – it’s hard having a mistake like that in front of everyone.

“We got it back, so I’m positive for tomorrow, but I feel like I haven’t quite done my part for the team and I feel bad for the guys coming after me because they’ve got a lot of work to do.

“The sport has come on so much it’s amazing. Other teams have overtaken us and that’s what sport should be, it shouldn’t be predictable. We’ve got to go home now, work hard and come back fighting.”

Georgia Wilson and Sakura during the grade II team test at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Georgia Wilson and Sakura (“Suki”), who were competing in their first team event at the Paralympics were the next British combination to go and scored 73.3%.

“I was pleased with Suki,” Georgia said. “She tripped over a few times at the start but we got there in the end, and produced some nice work. I was probably pushing a bit too much in the beginning, and I was a bit nervous so she probably picked that up.”

At that point, Britain were sitting behind Germany, France, Belgium and Italy, among the other teams who had one rider left to go.

Next to go for the Germans, Heidemarie Dresing – who, at 69, was the oldest competitor in the field – and Dooloop put in a solid test to score 72.9%.

That meant Natasha Baker, who was first to go in the grade III on Dawn Chorus, knew that to overhaul the German score and guarantee a medal for the team she needed an odds-defying 79.56%.

In the end, despite a free-flowing test and a personal best score since her return to competition six months ago, her 75.37% wasn’t enough to catch the Germans, but it was enough to close the margin on the teams ahead.

France and Italy’s grade III riders did enough to retake the lead over Britain, but that didn’t dampen Natasha’s spirits.

A delighted and proud Natasha Baker with Dawn Chorus after her grade III team test. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

“I was thrilled with her, she just went in there and grew in confidence,” explained Natasha. “Her balance was much better and she stayed really relaxed – I just can’t wait for tomorrow now, I’m so excited.

“My aim coming here was to build each day, I wanted to give her a safe clear round in the first day and build on it as the days go on, and I feel I’ve done that today. I think tomorrow I can go in there and go for it.

“I’m so proud of my performance, but I’m also so proud of Sophie and Georgia. They both rode beautifully, and all you can do is come to a Games and ride your best and that’s exactly what the girls have done.

“Sophie rode an absolute masterclass this morning and gave Diana an amazing experience. We’ve also got to remember that’s her reserve horse, and it’s her first big Games in that type of atmosphere.

“I’m also on my comeback, Sophie’s on a new horse, Georgia’s the experienced one of us out here and she was an individual in Tokyo, so I think we should all be incredibly proud of ourselves.

“We knew we might not bring home a medal in the team, but it’s fine, we’ll live to tell another tale tomorrow and hopefully we can come back with some more medals.”

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Line-up announced for team competition at Paris Paralympics: who’s made the cut?

Oscar Williams — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 11:55:28 +0000

ParalympicsGB and the British Dressage para selectors have announced the three combinations set to represent Great Britain in tomorrow’s (6 September) team competition at the Paris Paralympics.

Leading the charge for ParalympicsGB are seasoned Paralympians Natasha Baker (Dawn Chorus) and Sophie Wells (LJT Egebjerggards Samoa), who are both making their fourth consecutive Games appearance.

They will be joined by Georgia Wilson (Sakura), who, after making her Paralympic debut as an individual in Tokyo, will be competing in her first team event at the Paralympics.

That means world number ones Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg miss out – they have, however, qualified for Saturday’s (7 September) freestyle, so we will see them in action again.

All three selected combinations won bronze medals in the individual competitions; Georgia was the highest scorer on 73.41%, then Natasha on 73.17%, with Sophie scoring 72.26%.

According to the data, Britain is likely to be competing with Germany and Belgium for the bronze medal, with the USA and the Netherlands going for gold. But with no drop scores, and riding to a new test (grand prix B) anything is possible.

Sophie will be the first British rider to go, entering the arena at 12.13pm local time (11.13am British time). Georgia will ride next at 2.50pm local time (1.50pm British time), with Natasha last-to-go for the Brits at 4.03pm local time (3.03pm British time).

The competition starts at 9.30am local time (8.30am British time) with the grade IV riders first to go.

To watch your favourite riders compete in the dressage team competition at the Paris Paralympic Games, find out how you can follow on TV from anywhere in the world with our comprehensive guide.

Meet the British Paralympic dressage team:

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 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 LJT Egebjerggards Samoa

Owner: The Lady Joseph Trust

Breeder: Anders Green Hansen

Breeding: by St Schufo, out of a mare by Gribaldi

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‘She was so brave’: Sophie Wells guides rising star to an unexpected medal in Paris

Oscar Williams — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 15:04:18 +0000

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (“Diana”) added a third bronze medal to Britain’s haul at the Paris Paralympics in the grade V individual competition, scoring 72.26%.

“She was so brave going into that arena,” Sophie said. “She’s really surprised me all week, she’s been amazing in there in training.

“But then you go in and there’s quite a few people in there, and she got a little nervous, but she’s still only eight years old.

“I held her hand through the whole test, and she listened to me, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for that. I’m very pleased but I’m also relieved it’s finished!”

LJT Egebjerggards Samoa was a late replacement for Sophie’s more experienced ride Don Cara M who had to withdraw ahead of the Games.

But despite this being the mare’s Paralympic debut, it was a familiar role for her, as she also replaced Don Cara at last summer’s European Championships.

Since then it’s clear to see how much she has developed. The pair received several eights for their voltes and shoulder-ins, and their counter canter work was exceptional.

A mistake in the collected walk between the walk pirouettes set them back, but Sophie recovered well, and despite that mistake their score here is still higher than the 71.85% they scored in the individual test at the Europeans.

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa during their grade V individual test at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

“We had bits of tension and it wasn’t perfect by any means, but it’s a tough grade, and there are some great horses and riders here, so I couldn’t be prouder of her,” Sophie added.

“My aim was to be in the top eight and get through to the freestyle. Our preparations weren’t ideal having swapped horses – I was really disappointed for Don Cara’s owners, he’s such a great horse and we’ve never quite got the opportunity to really go for it together yet.

“At the last few championships whoever I’ve been on they’ve not been at their max potential.

“But at the same time, so many things happen in life and Diana is such a cool horse, I’m so lucky to be able to ride her and to have this opportunity. We’re just touching on what she can do, she just needs more life experience. She’ll be the best horse in the world at some point.

“We’ll see if we’re on the team, and then at least we get two more opportunities to dance.”

Grade V gold medal winner at Paris 2024

Reigning individual grade V Paralympic champions Michèle George and Best Of 8 successfully defended their title, scoring 76.69% to finish comfortably ahead of Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delights who took silver on 73.23%.

It was Michèle’s sixth Paralympic gold, and her third on Best Of 8 – who Michèle said will not be competing at another Paralympics after Paris.

“It was amazing, she really felt like she was dancing with me, I enjoyed every second of it,” she said. “She was a little spooky coming in because she’s never competed in front of the public before, because at Tokyo it was during the pandemic. So, that was the big question mark I had with her, because she’s very sensitive – but she was just amazing.”

Michèle teamed up with the 14-year-old mare in 2019, who she found through Isabell Werth.

“Isabell said ‘I might have a horse for you’, and when she arrived I said to her, ‘Mm I don’t know, she’s not the type of horse I’d pick out of the stable’. But she said, ‘No, Michèle, trust me, you have to sit and have a ride’, and two seconds later, I knew she was the one.”

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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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‘This means everything’: Dutch dominant on day two of the Paris 2024 individual tests

Oscar Williams — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:14:33 +0000

Dutch combination Demi Haerkens and Daula won individual grade IV gold in a sunlit Versailles on a personal best score of 78.72% at the Paris Paralympics, finishing ahead of their decorated teammates and Tokyo gold medallists Sanne Voets and Demantur, who took silver on 76.53%.

The pair were able to bring fantastic expression to their test, there were no mistakes and several of their voltes, as well as their rein back, scored 9s and 10s across the board.

“I’m very pleased and overwhelmed with her performance,” Demi said after her test. “I’d dreamed of this ride, and she did it with me. She was so focused, with quality and softness – she’s a lovely, lovely horse, a real superstar.”

Demi and Daula are reigning European individual and freestyle gold medallists, but this was their first Paralympics and Demi admitted to feeling the pressure.

“There were some nerves, but I think I handled it well, and we kept out focus, and did our thing,” she said.

“It means everything, the last three years we’ve been focused on preparing for the Games, so it means a lot to get a medal.

“It was always the big dream, and now the big dream has happened, with this score, this mare, and the sun – everything is good!”

“I’m so proud of my girls”: Dutch para dressage team coach

Emotion overcame Demi at the end of her test, and it took her a while to make her way over to the mixed zone, as she took in the moment with Daula. With her came a sea of orange-clad Dutch supporters, but one stood out more than the others – team coach Joyce van Rooijen-Heutink who looked proudly on as Demi did the media rounds.

It was a gamble for Joyce to select Demi, who missed the final selection event, and has only competed in two competitions since last summer’s European Championships

“I’m so proud of my girls,” she said. “It’s amazing that they all keep themselves together, and keep the feel, keep the focus, to let the horses do what they have to do, to perform in the most harmonious way.

“I know we have good horses, and I know we have good riders, but under pressure to still perform in this way – that’s what touches me.

“As a coach to be able to rely on people like them, it’s a good feeling and lets me sleep a bit at night!”

Looking ahead to team Paralympic medals

Joyce had previously said that she’d be selecting the three combinations who’ll contest Friday’s (6 September) team competition based on their performances in the individual competition.

That means Demi Haerkens (gold, grade IV, 78.722%), Sanne Voets (silver, grade IV, 76.528%), and Rixt van der Horst on Royal Fonq (silver, grade III, 76.433%) are expected to be competing Paralympics team honours.

Their biggest challenge for gold is anticipated to come from the USA whose highest scorers are Rebecca Hart on Floratina (gold, grade III, 77.9%), Fiona Howard on Diamond Dunes (gold, grade II, 76.931%) and Roxanne Trunell on Fan Tastico H (silver, grade I, 78%).

On the basis of their scores from the individual test, the Dutch would have a score of 231.683 and the USA 232.831. But, of course, it will be a clean slate and a different test (grand prix B) in the team competition, and as Joyce was keen to stress, with no drop scores, anything can happen – but it does go to show just how tight it is at the top.

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LJT Egebjerggards Samoa – Sophie Wells’ rising star that all British fans should be excited about

Oscar Williams — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 11:00:52 +0000

Rising star LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (St Schufro x Gribaldi) – or Diana, as she’s known as at home – was called up to compete at the Paris Paralympics after Sophie Wells’ Tokyo gold medallist Don Cara M was ruled out owing to “a minor veterinary issue”.

But she’s more than an able deputy – she’s one of the best grade V horses in the world in her own right. And despite being just eight-years-old, it’s not the first time she’s stepped into a team at short notice at a major championships.

At the 2023 European Championships, she also stepped up to replace Don Cara, winning team and freestyle bronze in the grade V.

“She has amazing ability, but she can be really hot,” Sophie explained at the time. “She isn’t world-beating yet, but there’s loads more to come.

“She has enough motivation for the entire British team. She’s like ‘I can’t wait, I’ve got stuff to do, come on, we’re busy!’”

It was Diana’s championship debut and understandably, she was a little green – she’d only contested four international competitions in her career at that point.

However, with an eye towards her massive future, Sophie had already taken her to the London International Horse Show in 2022 to take part in a masterclass and expose her to big atmospheres.

Sophie Wells riding LJT Egebjerggards Samoa at the 2023 European Championships. (Image credit: Benjamin Clark)

In her individual test at the Europeans her scores ranged from threes to eights, and the pair were pegged back by a mistake in the medium trot to score 71.85% and finish sixth. However, she got visibly more settled with every test and was able to show just how excited everyone should be about her future.

In the team test, the pair were last to go, with Britain’s medal hopes resting on their shoulders. But under that pressure, the pair flourished, scoring 74.08% to secure the bronze. Their test was outstanding at the start, although a little tension did creep into their half-passes.

“The half-pass is our bogey move,” Sophie said. “That was one of the hardest tests I’ve ever ridden. We had a couple of heart-in-mouth moments, but we got it back.

“She’s on 30% power at the moment, and I’m saying ‘less, less, less’. The day when I can put my accelerator on and go, she’s going to be phenomenal.

“I also always feel the pressure of going last on the team – waiting is so hard!”

The pair really came into their own during the Europeans freestyle, scoring 76.55% to win individual bronze. Sophie explained at the time that she’d swapped out Diana’s previous Titanium mix – which she thought was too high-energy for her current level – for a more serene Romeo and Juliet score, which she brought to life with Diana’s elegance and power.

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa during at the horse inspection at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. (Image credit: FEI/Liz Gregg)

“I’m so happy I finished the test – which was not a given!” Sophie laughed after her test. “The minute she’s confident and balanced enough for me to push, she will be amazing.

“She was a bit tired today so before I went in I just walked her for a bit. She’s had a huge week, but it’s definitely been a positive experience for her to end on today. She will come away from here with a lot of confidence.”

Since that coming-of-age experience, Diana has competed alongside Don Cara on the international circuit, and while there’s no doubt her more experienced stablemate was the favourite for selection, Diana did beat him twice at Hickstead CPEDI3* in May and in able-bodied dressage at Vale View Premier League in June in the medium. That same month the pair also scored a massive personal best of 82.46% in the freestyle at Wellington CPEDI3*.

“I feel so lucky to ride them both,” Sophie told Horse & Hound after her test at Hartpury. “It’s so important to have more than one top, top horse.”

And the fact that Sophie is able to have both horses, and is still able to compete in Paris, is thanks in no small part to the charitable trust The Lady Joseph Trust (LJT) who own Diana.

The trust was established in 2009 by Henrietta Cheetham, through the proceeds of her grandmother Lady Joseph’s estate. The trust aims to provide Britain’s top para riders with horses capable of winning medals.

“I was absolutely thrilled for Sophie to win team and individual bronze at the Europeans,” Henriette told H&H in 2023. “I found Diana as a three-year-old in Denmark and imported her as a four-year-old.

“On the first day we had her, overnight, she got her foot stuck in the bars between the stables and nearly destroyed herself! So, to go on to win two medals is just amazing.”

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Paris Paralympics individual grade IV & V dressage times: when does Sophie Wells ride?

Oscar Williams — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:59:22 +0000

The Paris Paralympics dressage times for Wednesday’s (4 September) grade IV and V individual tests are now available. It’ll be the second day of competition, with the individual tests for grade I, II and III having taken place today (3 September).

Britain’s Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus won bronze in the grade III, the USA’s Rebecca Hart and Floratina won gold, and the Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq took silver.

Georgia Wilson and Sakura also won bronze in the grade II. Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes were the runaway winners for the USA, while Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater won silver.

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg were sixth in the grade I. Latvia’s Rihard Snikus and King Of The Dance won gold, Roxanne Trunnell took silver on Fan Tastico H for the USA and Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebelle won bronze.

The top eight combinations from each grade qualify for Saturday’s (7 September) freestyle, meaning all the British combinations have made it through. However, Ireland’s Micheal Murphy, who placed ninth in grade I, as well as Kate Kerr-Horan and Jessica McKenna, who finished ninth and 10th in grade III, have not qualified.

The competition restarts with the Netherlands’ Sanne Voets and Demantur in grade IV at 10am local time (9am British time).

Britain will just have Sophie Wells and her European bronze medallist LJT Egebjerggards Samoa – who replaced Sophie’s first choice Don Cara M – competing tomorrow. Sophie will ride at 3.02pm local time (2.02pm British time) in grade V.

If you would like to watch your favourite riders compete in the dressage at the Paris Paralympic Games, find out how you can follow on TV from anywhere in the world with our comprehensive guide.

Who else should you look out for?

The Netherland’s Demi Haerkens and Daula at 10.27am local time (9.27am British time) in grade IV
The USA’s Kate Shoemaker and Vianne at 11.58am local time (10.58am British time) in grade IV
Belgium’s Michele George and Best Of 8 at 1.49pm local time (12.49pm British time) in grade V
Ireland’s Sarah Slattery and Savona at 2.35pm local time (1.35pm British time) in grade V

Paralympics dressage times – complete list of grade IV & V individual tests

The full times are listed below.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Meet the spotted former breeding stallion turned Paris 2024 star who loves a banana

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:17:27 +0000

One horse that has caught our eye at the Paris Paralympics is El Colorado, the banana-loving Dutch appaloosa who was formerly a breeding stallion. Canada’s Jody Schloss is competing at her third Paralympics, her first with the 16hh 15-year-old gelding.

Jody bought El Colorado, known at home as Denver, in March 2023, having tried him and known from the off that he was the horse for her.

“He was the first horse I tried. He was so good, and I said ‘I want this horse’. My coach said I couldn’t buy the first I saw so we went to Florida and looked at lots more, but I said ‘I want El Colorado!’,” said Jody.

“He was a breeding stallion before. He’s original looking and he’s such a good horse, I have such a great relationship with him.”

El Colorado is by Hannoverian stallion San Remo – who was ridden by Edward Gal as a young horse and also turned his hooves to para dressage – and out of appaloosa mare Sheeza, who is by Knabstrupper stallion Sonny Af Hojmark and out of Dutch appaloosa mare Penny.

Jody, who sustained a brain injury in 1996 when she was in a car accident and has since published a poetry book about her life, was thrilled with Denver’s performance. The pair scored 66.38% in the individual Grade I test this afternoon (3 September).

“I was so impressed with my horse,” she said. “I was very happy with how well he listened as he has his moments. I thought that he would be really nervous but he was ok.

“Every Paralympics so far I’ve been on a different horse, so every time is like my first time. It’s incredible.”

Jody describes Denver as a “very responsive” horse.

“When I get on him he seems to know it’s work time,” she said, adding that he loves bananas. “I’ll definitely give him bananas today.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Part-time DJ riding horse called King Of The Dance wins historic gold medal at Paris 2024

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:47:26 +0000

Rihards Snikus made history at the Paris Paralympics today (3 September) when he won Latvia’s first equestrian Paralympic gold medal.

Rihards – who moonlights as a DJ – and his aptly named 16-year-old gelding King Of The Dance scored 79.18% to top the individual grade I contest.

Rihards’ team were “very happy” with the test.

“It was a really beautiful performance,” said Darja Tihomriova, speaking on behalf of Rihards. “We were worried about the technical elements, but I think it was one of their best performances, and a great result.”

Rihards and King Of The Dance have been together since 2016 and Darja said the gelding is “an excellent partner” to Rihards.

“They know each other very well, and have come a long way together from the beginning to the gold,” she said.

“We love this horse. He is brilliant, and a horse you get once in your life. He’s a great personality, so we are very lucky to have him – and very lucky that we have his owner, Irina Andrusa. For para dressage we should remember that usually they are not our horses, so it’s thanks to the owners, and our owner is great.”

Rihards and King of Dance won two silver individual medals at the Tokyo Paralympics and he was determined to go one better this year. Tokyo double individual gold medallist Roxanne Trunnell of the United States had to settle for silver this time round, with Fan Tastico, on 78.00%. Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebell scored 74.63% to take the bronze. Britain’s Mari Akhurst-Durward finished sixth with Athene Lindebjerg on 71.79%.

“After Tokyo we came home and said, ‘Ok, next time gold’,” said Darja. “Of course, we know that Roxanne is very good. We followed her results through this year. But we also know that we are very good.”

Darja said Rihards’ historic gold medal is “great for para sports in general”.

“It shows that it’s not only classical sports like athletes and cycling, equestrian is also a sport for people with disabilities. They can show how strong they are, how well they can ride, and the wonderful techniques. It’s great to show that you have no limit.”

Rihards and King of Dance will be hoping to make it double gold when they compete in the individual freestyle on Saturday (7 September).

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘I was trying to hold back the tears’: Mari Durward-Akhurst makes her emotional Paralympics debut

Oscar Williams — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 16:55:29 +0000

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg rounded out the first day of equestrian action at the Paris 2024 Paralympics scoring 71.79% to finish sixth in the grade I individual test.

Rihard Snikus and King Of The Dance won gold, scoring 79.17% – in what was Latvia’s first-ever equestrian gold at either a Paralympic or Olympic Games.

Roxanne Trunnell – who won individual gold at the Tokyo Games on her former ride Dolton – took silver on Fan Tastico H for the USA, scoring 78% while Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebelle won bronze on 74.63%.

Coming into the Games as world number one and riding Athene – a previous Paralympic gold medal winner in Rio with Sophie Christiansen – Mari understandably felt the pressure and expectation building behind her.

“It was a lot of pressure,” Mari agreed. “This morning was a nightmare, I was getting myself in a bit of a state, trying to find things to do to keep myself occupied.

“But once I got on her and she went into that arena I just knew she was going to look after me.”

Despite not winning a medal, there was no dampening Mari’s enthusiasm – and rightly so. This was her Paralympics debut, and it’s been years in the making. She’s overcome numerous setbacks along the way and works tremendously hard in the gym to make sure she’s fit to compete.

As she entered the arena you’d never know she’d been feeling the pressure. Her beaming smile never left her face as her coach Rob Waine and her mum Sue – who was calling the test for Mari – watched on.

It’s moments like this, which makes this sport so special, and a privilege to watch.

“She enjoyed it as much as I did – and that’s what it’s all about,” Mari said. “We couldn’t have done any more, everything went to plan so I was really pleased with it.

“I was trying to hold back the tears when I went into the arena, it was just incredible.

“Horses have always been in my life. I was three-years-old when I started riding, and then my condition deteriorated quite drastically in 2019 and I lost the ability to walk. So, being on the horse, it’s like they’re my legs, and I always say together we excel.

“But I also got bullied a lot as a young child because I was different to others but I wasn’t in a wheelchair so they couldn’t really see why, and horses were basically what kept me going.”

The grade I was the most competitive class of the day, with 22 combinations competing. Mari made it into the top eight so will move forward to the freestyle on Saturday (7 September).

“We’ve got new music that we’ve never ridden to in competition before, so it’ll be really special,” Mari added.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Meet the rider making her Paralympic debut with her 13hh superstar

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:24:41 +0000

Meet Australian para dressage rider Bridget Murphy, who has made her championship debut at the Paris Paralympics with her 13hh part-bred Welsh superstar.

Bridget and seven-year-old Penmain Promise scored 66.72% in the individual grade II test this morning (3 September), and have qualified for the freestyle on Saturday (7 September).

Bridget, who has a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary biosciences, started competing in para dressage in 2018. She took on the ride of “Macey”, who is thought to be the smallest equine in Paris, as a recently backed three-year-old and the pair made their international debut in April last year.

“She’s only seven, and stepped up to CPEDI3* level at the first Paralympic qualifier in Australia in October last year. This is only her fifth shot at this test, and it was just beyond expectations. I’m super happy with her,” said Bridget.

“She’s very calm and quiet normally, but we never get these situations in Australia, so I thought ‘let her settle, don’t take a chance at the start’, but she was fine, and pushing for more as the test went on.”

Bridget said her coach rides Macey a bit but otherwise “it’s me and her”.

“Her size makes her a good fit for me, and she just gives you everything. She’s really reliable and she just wants to please,” she said.

“Because I got her when she was so young, [working with me] is really all she knows and it’s just been amazing. She doesn’t need to be asked twice, you tell her once, she gets it and off we go.”

Bridget said Macy “likes all the attention she can get” and she will be rewarded for efforts in Paris today with “a bag and a half of carrots”.

“As long as she’s got treats she’s happy. She’ll get carrots and some grass this afternoon”, she said, adding that being at Versailles is “magical”.

“Looking at the back of the palace, it’s stunning,” she said.

The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes won gold in the grade II individual test on 76.93%. Danish rider Katrina Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater took silver on 73.95%, and Britain’s Georgia Wilson and Sakura won bronze on 73.41%.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘I’m over the moon’: Georgia Wilson and Sakura secure back-to-back medals for Britain at the Paris Paralympics

Oscar Williams — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:13:59 +0000

Georgia Wilson and Sakura made it back-to-back medals for Team GB, winning bronze in the grade II individual competition on the opening day of equestrian competition at the Paris Paralympics.

Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes were the runaway winners, scoring 76.93% to claim the USA’s second gold in as many tests – it looks as though it’s going to be quite a contest between them and the Netherlands in the team competition on Friday (6 September).

However, there was very little separating Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater in second on 73.97%, Britain’s Georgia Wilson on 73.41%, and the oldest athlete in the competition, Germany’s 69-year-old Heidemarie Dresing with Dooloop, in fourth on 73.1%.

At points it looked as if Georgia and Sakura might not quite manage to overhaul Heidemarie, with the live scoring having her just below 73% as she rode down the final centre line.

But in the end, the collective mark for general impression helped seal it, bumping their score up to secure the bronze medal.

“I’m over the moon,” said Georgia, flashing her trademark smile. “I knew who I was competing against and I knew that if I was going to get a medal it’d take a lot of hard work.

“The competition in the grade II is so high, and the horse power is amazing, but that’s exciting.”

Georgia and Sakura were late call-ups to their last Games in Tokyo, where they also won individual bronze despite Sakura being the youngest horse in the competition at seven years old. In the years since then, their partnership has gone from strength to strength.

“We know each other inside out,” explained Georgia. “She loves an atmosphere and I had such confidence going into the arena with her – I think she knows when it’s competition time.

“But I was glad to not be riding in the rain from this morning. I came to watch Natasha [Baker] and then I dived back into the car!”

Georgia, like most of the riders through the mixed zone, was quick to credit her team for all their work.

“It was a massive team effort – I have an amazing trainer in Nicky Lickley, we go there every week and she helps me and tells me ‘come on, that could be better’ and all that training pays off.”

Sakura was her customary laid-back self during the medal ceremony, and while the crowd applauded, she was busy searching her groom Liz Geldard’s pockets for snacks.

Katrine Kristensen (left), Fiona Howard (centre) and Georgia Wilson (right) celebrate their grade II individual medals. (Image credit: FEI/Liz Gregg)

As well as winning a medal, Georgia has comfortably qualified for Saturday’s (7 September) freestyle where she’ll ride to music by Ellie Goulding. But Georgia has even more to look forward to, because days after her selection for Paris was confirmed, she got engaged.

“I didn’t ride in my ring, I was too scared to break it,” said Georgia, “but it’s been a fab year, and hopefully there’s more to come.”

World number ones Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg will be the last British combination to go today, riding in the grade I at 4.35pm local time (3.35pm British time).

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus mark emotional championship comeback with Paralympic medal

Oscar Williams — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:10:48 +0000

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus – or Lottie – produced a composed, harmonious performance in difficult conditions to score 73.17% and win bronze in the individual grade III medal event on the first day of equestrian action at the Paris Paralympics.

“I was thrilled, she was such a superstar,” Natasha said. “I just wanted a relaxed test and that’s what we delivered. We didn’t have quite as much pizzazz as I would like in ideal circumstances, but I didn’t get any tension either and that’s exactly what I wanted.

“It’s quite a big atmosphere and she’s never been into anything like that before but she stayed with me the entire way – so I’m delighted.

“That was the first time I’ve trotted in the main arena, each time I went in there for arena familiarisation I kept it super chilled, just walking on a long rein, because I wanted her to go in there and be able to relax in that environment and I think that’s what we managed today. Hopefully now we can build on that as the week goes on.”

Natasha was third into the arena, and the conditions here in Versailles couldn’t be further removed from the relentless heat which accompanied the dressage at the Olympics. Rain beat down on the combination as they waited to enter the arena and there was a distinct chill in the air.

At the combination’s last competition before coming to Paris at Hartpury CPEDI3* in July, similar conditions caused Natasha’s legs to spasm which caused her considerable pain during her test. Fortunately, she made it through unscathed this time.

“The rain is my worst nightmare,” she explained. “My disability has got worse with colder weather so it’s not ideal, but we stayed under the covered arena for as long as possible to keep dry and then thankfully it eased off a little during my test.”

Natasha had a long wait to see where she’d finished, but didn’t seem overly concerned.

“I don’t really care if we get an individual medal,” she said, immediately after her test, before she knew the final result. “If you’d told me I would’ve been selected for the Paris Games over Christmas I would have absolutely laughed in your face.”

That’s because Natasha has only recently returned to competition after spending 20 months out of the saddle following the birth of her first child, Joshua.

“That’s the longest I’ve ever not ridden, so to be able to come back is such a testament to my amazing team. I just feel so fortunate and so grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity and been able to show the world how amazing Lottie is, so who cares what the results are?

“My priorities have changed – at the moment I’m just trying to juggle being the best athlete I can with being the best mum I can,” she added, tears and emotion choking her voice for a moment.

“I could see Joshua from the stands, I didn’t see him this morning because I was up at some ungodly hour, so I blew him a kiss to him at the end of our test.”

Paralympics dressage individual grade III medals

The USA’s Rebecca Hart took grade III gold, on a personal best score of 77.9% riding Floratina – her first-ever gold championship medal, and her first individual Paralympic medal of any colour.

“It’s been 25 years of trying to get to this point and being close many, many times, so to actually get it is a dream,” Rebecca said. “I feel like I’m going to wake up at any moment.

“But we’re just the figureheads out there, it’s the hundreds of people behind the scene, in the barns, working long hours, that get us out there able to put our best foot forward. So this is as much their victory as mine, I can’t wait to share it with all of them, and we’re hoping for more, I can’t wait to cheer on my teammates over the next few days.”

The Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq took silver, also on a personal best score of 76.43%.

Georgia Wilson and Sakura are the next Brits to go, entering the arena at 12.48pm local time (11.48am British time) in the grade II.

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg will follow at 4.35pm local time (3.35pm British time) in the grade I.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Paris Paralympics individual grade I, II & III dressage times: when will the Brits and other favourites compete for medals?

Oscar Williams — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 17:07:26 +0000

The Paris Paralympics dressage times for Tuesday’s (3 September) grade I, II and III individual tests have now been released.

A total of 76 combinations from 30 nations will assemble for four days of competition spread across five days from Tuesday to Saturday (7 September).

All horses that were presented at the first horse inspection this morning passed. However, by that point grade III medal favourites Tobias Thorning Jørgensen and Jolene had already ruled themselves out after the 16-year-old mare developed travel sickness en route to Versailles.

The first two days will be individual medal events for all five grades, with grade III opening proceedings. Grades IV and V will compete on Wednesday (4 September), the team competition will be held on Friday (6 September) and the freestyle on Saturday (7 September).

The competition starts at 9am local time (8am British time) tomorrow, with Italy’s Francesca Salvade and Escari kicking things off in the grade III.

The grade II will start at 11.45am local time (10.45am British time) and the competitive grade I at 1.45pm local time (12.45pm British time). The medal ceremonies for each grade will be held between 5.35pm and 6.35pm local time (4.35pm to 5.35pm British time).

If you would like to watch your favourite riders compete in the dressage at the Paris Paralympic Games, find out how you can follow on TV from anywhere in the world with our comprehensive guide.

When will the British riders go?

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus at 9.18am local time (8.18am British time) in grade III
Georgia Wilson and Sakura at 12.48pm local time (11.48am British time) in grade II
Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg at 4.35pm local time (3.35pm British time) in grade I

Who else should you look out for?

The Netherland’s Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq at 9.27am local time (8.27am British time) in grade III
Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Dooloop at 11.45am local time (10.45am British time) in grade II
Austria’s Pepo Puch and Sailor’s Blues at 12.39pm local time (11.39am British time) in grade II
Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater at 12.57pm local time (11.57am British time) in grade II
The USA’s Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H at 3.15pm local time (2.15pm British time) in grade I
Ireland’s Micheal Murphy and Cleverboy at 4.08pm local time (3.08pm British time) in grade I
Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebelle at 4.44pm local time (3.44pm British time) in grade I
Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King Of The Dance at 4.53pm local time (3.53pm British time) in grade I

Paralympics dressage times – complete list of grade I, II & III individual tests

The full times are listed below.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Major change to Paris Paralympic line-up as gold medal favourites withdraw

Lucy Elder — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 11:48:25 +0000

Defending Paralympic champions Tobias Thorning Jørgensen and Jolene have been ruled out of Paris 2024 after the mare developed travel sickness.

Tobias and the 16-year-old mare have won individual and freestyle gold at every senior championship since 2019. They also helped the Danish side to European team bronze in 2019 and world team silver in 2022.

A statement from the Danish equestrian federation on Sunday (1 September) said that during transport to Paris, Jolene was diagnosed with travel sickness and received treatment from the vets.

Tobias, who was a flag bearer at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games opening ceremony, said that Jolene’s well-being comes first.

“Of course I’m super sad and disappointed that I can’t compete down here. It’s something I’ve fought a lot for and which means a lot to me, but my own ambitions and dreams must never, ever weigh more than Jolene’s well-being, and that’s also why we’ve chosen to pull her,” he said.

Tobias and Jolene would have been competing for Grade III medals, the same grade as Britain’s Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, and highly likely to be named among Denmark’s three combinations to contest the team medals. However, the Paralympic rules mean that the pair cannot be replaced at this stage, so Denmark will continue as a squad of three.

“We all feel for Tobias and the rest of his team, who have fought exemplary to stand as strong as possible for [the Paralympic Games],” said Denmark’s head of mission, Nicklas Bjaaland.

“We will do everything to ensure that Tobias gets the support he needs, and of course the same applies to Jolene and the team behind it. In addition, we have a big focus on the rest of the dressage team getting the calm they need to be able to perform in the upcoming competitions.”

The first trot up took place today (2 September) with competition starting tomorrow (Tuesday, 3 September).

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Athene Lindebjerg – the supermodel grade I horse who’ll partner Mari Durward-Akhurst at the Paralympics

Oscar Williams — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 19:06:06 +0000

Mari Durward-Akhurst will be making her Paralympic debut in Paris, but she couldn’t ask for a more experienced partner than Di Redfern’s 17-year-old all-star Athene Lindebjerg (Gribaldi x Diamant).

Athene is a bona fide legend at grade I and has already won nine international gold medals with her former riders Sophie Christiansen and Julie Payne.

She’s also a former able bodied national elementary champion under Jess Thompson.

A proven champion

At Athene’s last Games in Rio she won triple gold with Sophie, and scored the highest mark of the whole competition scoring 79.7% in the freestyle with her beautiful piano-based music that left onlookers in tears.

Rio was an emotional Games for Sophie who had been considering giving up the sport after a tough year in which she changed coach and battled illness.

On top of that, Athene contracted an infection in the build-up and it wasn’t until the day the horses flew to Rio that Sophie knew for sure whether the horse she describes as a “grade I supermodel” would be up for it.

“A year ago I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll win three gold medals’, but this year has taught me that anything can happen in sport, and never to take anything for granted,” Sophie told Horse & Hound in 2016.

“For Athene to go into that arena and do that – I’m over the moon.”

Julie Payne riding Athene Lindeberg at the European Championships. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

A year later, Athene partnered championship first-timer Julie Payne to another trio of gold medals this time at the European Championships.

The pair were last to go in the team competition, and with the pressure on, knew they had to score above 74.6% to secure gold.

As silence descended across the arena in Gothenburg, the pair produced a flawless performance, full of purpose and relaxation, to score 78.1% – the highest score of the event.

“That was the hardest test I have ever ridden in my life,” Julie said. “It took absolutely everything I had but Athene gave me everything.

“My legs didn’t want to work, my pelvis didn’t want to move, but she just stayed with me.”

A perfect match

Julie’s re-classification from grade I to grade II saw her partnership with Athene come to an end. Athene then spent a spell at stud, where she had two foals herself, and two via surrogates.

When Di took Athene back from stud in 2023, Mari was the first person she offered the ride to.

Di has known Mari since she was just 11-years-old attending training days at South Bucks Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) at Di’s Mill House Farm.

“I went to try Athene and fell in love instantly,” Mari – who is herself a silver medallist from the 2019 European Championships – recalls.

“I’d seen and heard so much about her so to be on her was incredible. Riding her was even more amazing than watching her – I mean that walk!

“From the first ride we started to form a partnership, and with the help of my coach Rob Waine, it wasn’t long before we were out competing together.”

However, it was all plain sailing, and the combination had to overcome some challenges.

“The grade I grand prix test had changed, and Athene has had to become more uphill,” Mari explained. “That was a challenge at first as I cannot use my legs.

“But now she understands my whips are my legs. I’ve had to become fitter and stronger in my core to ride her big movement, so I spend my time doing rowing, strength and conditioning.”

Setting their sights on Paris

Mari and Athene’s competition career got off to a tentative start as the pair got to know one another.

“People would say to me, you must be feeling so much pressure, but I just went with it, and because we didn’t win straight away, the pressure really was off,” said Mari.

But it didn’t take long for the wins to start coming in, and in September 2023 they were crowned grade I national champions. This achievement was even more remarkable as Mari had just been released from the hospital following a two-week battle with a kidney infection.

“I knew I was going to make it here, I just wasn’t sure how,” Mari said at the time. “I was still a bit wibbly-wobbly after being in the hospital but she knows what she has to do and I was really happy – in fact I think it was the best test we’ve ever done.”

Since then the pair have never finished outside the top two in international competition. This June, they swept all the grade I classes at Wellington CPEDI3*, setting personal bests in all three, during a run of eight consecutive wins that saw them rise to the top of the FEI world rankings.

“Athene is a dream to ride, and her walk is incredible,” Mari said. “Her ears prick the minute we go down the centre line and once in the white boards she knows her job and always shows off her square halts. One of the judges has said she appears to smile as she is doing her test!”

Their top form and status as world number ones made them shoo-ins for Paris, where Athene will make her championship comeback and add another remarkable chapter to her already illustrious career.

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Sakura – the laidback equine star who’s taken Georgia Wilson from team reserve to medal podiums

Oscar Williams — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 17:30:26 +0000

Georgia Wilson and her British-bred mare Sakura (Supertramp x Rockstar) – or Suki, as she’s known at home – burst onto the scene at the Tokyo Paralympics, where they’d originally been selected as reserves.

However, the late, and heartbreaking, withdrawal of Sophie Christiansen and Innuendo III thrust the combination into the spotlight.

“I’m thrilled that Georgia will be taking my place,” Sophie said at the time.“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.”

And Georgia and Sakura certainly did light up the arena, belying their inexperience to win two grade II bronze medals.

Georgia Wilson and Sakura’s breakthrough

For Georgia, who was then just 25-years-old and grew up watching future teammates like Sophie Wells competing when she was still “tiny – on my little 14.2hh New Forest pony”, it was a watershed moment.

After scoring 76.75% to secure freestyle bonze, she reflected on what it meant to be competing alongside athletes she considered idols.

Britain’s Georgia Wilson at the 2022 World Championships. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“To be here with them, I just can’t explain it,” she said, beaming, “I just want to do it again!”

Sophie Wells – who was coaching Georgia in Tokyo – recalled bursting into tears after the test.

“To have a horse right, to have the rider right, and to have it happen in the right place at the right time and do it in the arena in front of those judges, it doesn’t just happen like that and Georgia just bloody rode for every single mark,” she said.

At that point, Georgia and the then seven-year-old mare hadn’t even been a partnership for very long, and Sakura was one of the youngest horses at the competition.

“Suki came to me from the Eilbergs in 2020,” Georgia explained. “We tried her and said yes to her on the spot – she had such a nice big walk and really wanted to please.

“I liked her big nostrils as well. Michael [Eilberg’s] child was playing near the manège while his wife Maya was riding Suki as well, and she wasn’t at all bothered.

“She didn’t act like a seven-year-old, even though when we bought her she had only done one competition and only been in a horsebox once. We threw her in at the deep end and went off to qualify for the winter championships, but she wasn’t fazed by anything.”

Indeed, Sakura was actually Georgia’s second horse and it was her European gold medallist Midnight who’d been campaigned with Tokyo in mind. But after Midnight was ruled-out through injury, Sakura stepped up.

Georgia Wilson riding Sakura at the 2022 World Championships. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“I had a month of intense training with Sophie Wells before Tokyo, and in that month she changed so much.

“I had to work harder on my riding to catch up with her but I’ve had horses in the past who have been moody with the way my legs cling on when I ride, but Suki wasn’t bothered.

“She listens to me and was very good at learning voice commands.

“She took it all in her stride, and wasn’t bothered about anything. She’s very kind and always very relaxed, even on the plane she was busy eating and thinking about food.”

“She snores like an old grandad”

In fact, Sakura is almost as well-known for her love of food as her expressive paces.

“Suki’s two priorities in life are food and sleep,” explains Jade Lockwood, who was one of the travelling grooms in Tokyo.

“She was half asleep for the medal ceremonies in Tokyo as they were at about 11pm. I’ve also never known a horse to snore so loudly in my life. When she is fast asleep she snores like an old grandad – you can hear her from a stable block away!

“But she is very sweet and easy to look after, the textbook horse really. It was incredible to be on the kiss and cry stand in Tokyo, watching Georgia and Suki.

“They haven’t known each other long so we weren’t expecting anything, but they are perfectly matched. Before Georgia went in, I said, ‘Just enjoy yourself. Give you and the horse a good ride’. She did exactly that and it paid off.”

Since fortune – both bad and good – conspired to make Georgia and Sakura the breakout stars of the Tokyo Games, they’ve gone from strength-to-strength, establishing themselves as one of the leading combinations in para dressage.

In 2022, they travelled to the World Championships in Herning off the back of personal bests at Wellington and Hartpury CPEDI3*s that summer. Their hard work paid off as they returned with a bronze medal in the freestyle, riding to their emotive Love Me Like You Do routine.

Following their success in Herning, Georgia and Sakura have remained consistent, securing a podium finish in every international competition they’ve entered.

In 2023, they were selected to compete in the European Championship in Riesenbeck, where they added to their medal haul with a team bronze, an individual silver, and a freestyle silver.

Now, as they know prepare to ride down the centre line in Paris, their remarkable rise from unexpected reserves to consistent medal contenders serves as a testament to the magic that can happen when talent meets opportunity.

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Keystone Dawn Chorus – Natasha Baker’s ‘practically perfect’ Paralympic medal-winning mare

Oscar Williams — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 17:15:18 +0000

Keystone Dawn Chorus (Dimaggio x Escudo 19), or “Lottie” as she is known at home, is the team Paralympic gold medal-winning ride of Natasha Baker, who is herself one of Britain’s most decorated equestrian athletes.

“Lottie is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is practically perfect in every way,” Natasha told Horse & Hound ahead of the Tokyo Games.

“She has such a kind, generous personality – she loves to work and is willing. She will go into any arena or atmosphere and she wants to perform and work with me.”

As the pair prepares to ride down the centre line in Paris, we look back at their career together so far.

The beginnings of a partnership

In February 2017, Natasha’s two-time Paralympic and multiple gold medal-winning ride Cabral – who was better known as “JP” – was sadly put down after developing a bacterial infection.

The pair had been at the forefront of British para-dressage success since winning two European gold medals in 2011. Natasha described him as her “horse of a lifetime” and still wears a ring made from his hair in remembrance.

With the up-and-coming youngster she had at the time, Fireball, proving not quite forward-thinking enough for her to take to the top, Natasha didn’t have a ride for that year and decided to take the rest of the year out of competing.

In the build-up to World Equestrian Games in 2018 she leased the then nine-year-old Mount St John Diva Dannebrog after an extensive search.

The pair went on to win two silver medals, but following the championships Natasha was once again left looking for a new ride.

In early 2019, she went to try Keystone Dawn Chorus who was at that time beginning her competition career in able-bodied dressage with Beth Bainbridge.

“The first time I sat on her I got butterflies,” Natasha said. “She had the best temperament in the world and the movement to go with it.

“I don’t have the use of my legs when I ride, but Lottie is a forward-thinking horse and she adapted to my riding quickly.

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, pictured during arena familiarisation at the World Para Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“It was helpful that in the weeks before I first went to see her, Beth tried to use her voice as much as she could while riding her, and her legs as little as possible which helped make it an easy transition for Lottie.”

The pair made their debut together in May that year, competing at first in able-bodied dressage at novice, going on to place second at the national championships.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d be coming here,” Natasha told H&H at the time. “I didn’t have the best regionals – that was the worst test I’ve ever ridden – so to come here and put that right was a good feeling.

“There is a lot of pressure on me in para dressage, which is why we initially went down the able-bodied route. It was fun and Lottie loves to go into a long arena and to canter, which we don’t do in grade III.

“I have also been able to take her hacking, and I balled my eyes out the first time we cantered through a field because I have never had a horse I’ve trusted as much as her. I feel as though anything is possible with Lottie because we trust each other.”

The pair made their para debut a month later at Keysoe CPEDI3*, claiming a trio of victories and scoring 76.47% for their freestyle.

“We went into this show feeling quite under-prepared – we only learnt rein-back last week!” Natasha said.

“I always feel the pressure at internationals, but when the pressure is on, Lottie rises to it. This gives us a good benchmark of where we are ahead of our Tokyo campaign next year.”

Of course, everyone’s Tokyo plans were thrown up in the air due to the Covid pandemic. But in the end that might have worked out quite well for Natasha, because it meant that by the time Tokyo came around, she and Keystone Dawn Chorus were seasoned campaigners.

Rising to the big occasion

The pair kicked off the rescheduled Tokyo Games by taking the grade III individual silver on 76.27%.

“I think if we were here 12 months ago, I don’t think I would have got 76%,” Natasha said.

“It’s our first competition together like this and fighting for the gold medal was never a thing coming here – it was just if I win a medal, then awesome. I just want to give her a really positive experience.”

But despite the odds being stacked against them, the combination went on to score 76.62% in the team test to help the British team to gold, and their seventh consecutive Paralympic title.

“We were hoping to come and maybe challenge for Bronze,” reflected Natasha, who added that Keystone Dawn Chorus grew in confidence from their individual test, with a stutter in the walk pirouette being the only blip in their sparkling performance.

Natasha Baker with Keystone Dawn Chorus at the Tokyo Paralympics. (Image credit: Liz Gregg)

“It’s an impossible movement for someone with no use of their legs!” laughed Natasha.

“She just tries to take over and go so small, like she’s saying, ‘I’ve got this, Mum,’ even though I have my leg on and my whip tapping her.

“I got a cracking pirouette in the warm-up, but unfortunately they didn’t count. But I could really push more – the leg yields were really nice, she was really balanced, up and powerful. And there was more relaxation in the walk. I can’t ask for more.”

The pair rounded off their Games in a poignant fashion, winning silver in the freestyle, riding to the same Avatar music Natasha rode the late Cabral to in Rio.

“Lottie has just exceeded every single expectation,” said a clearly emotional Natasha following her third medal ceremony.

“If you’d said to me that I was going to win two individual silvers and a team gold, I would have told you that you were lying, I just never imagined that any of this would be possible.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of everything that she’s achieved and everything that she’s done for me.”

The next chapter

In 2022, the pair won individual silver and freestyle bronze at the World Championships, despite Natasha having a disrupted run-up after weeks of illness.

The freestyle was in fact a massive milestone for Natasha, for whom World Championship freestyles have never been particularly kind; in 2014 she struggled to get into the arena with Cabral, and in 2018 she had a dramatic fall from Mount St John Diva Dannebrog.

“I’m pleased I went in today – I had serious flashbacks of 2018 when I got decked,” Natasha explained. “I was so close to saying ‘I can’t do this.’ But I’m just so proud of her – she looked after me.”

After the worlds, Natasha took a 20-month break from competition following the birth of her first child.

During Natasha’s break, her coach Lisa Hopkins took up the reins and placed third in the elementary at the 2023 Winter Championships and fourth at the National Championships.

Natasha made her return in May 2024, winning all the grade III classes at Hickstead CPEDI3*. More wins followed at Wellington and Hartpury internationals and despite only actively competing together again for two months, the pair were picked for Paris.

“It’s so lovely having a different perspective now because my son is the most important thing in my life, whereas riding had been the most important thing for so long,” said Natasha following her wins at Hartpury.

“I love what I do and it’s so nice to come in and not feel so much pressure. I’m honoured, grateful and proud to be heading to my fourth Paralympic Games, it’s been an incredible journey since Tokyo and heading into Paris, now as a mum, makes it even more special.

“I can’t wait to show Lottie off to the world and show that elite athletes can also be mums.”

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Riders among flag bearers as Paralympic Games open in Paris

Lucy Elder — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:09:45 +0000

Seven riders were among the athletes chosen as flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony last night (28 August).

Both Danish flag bearers are riders – Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Katrine Kristensen were given the honour.

Pepo Puch carried the Austrian flag, Manon Clays was selected for Belgium, Laura Kangasniemi for Finland, Latvia chose Rihards Snikus, and Louise Etzner Jakobsson carried the flag for Sweden.

Manon Claeys (pictured, waving) was among the flag bearers at the Paris 2024 Paralympic opening ceremony. (Image credit: Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News)

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons called for freedom, inclusion and equality in his speech at the opening ceremony.

“At a time of growing global conflict, increasing hate, and rising exclusion, let sport be the social glue that brings us together,” he said.

“Here at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we will celebrate what makes us different, show there is strength in difference, beauty in difference, and that difference serves as a powerful force for good.”

He added: “As we prepare for Games Wide Open [the Paris 2024 slogan], let us open our minds wide.

“For what you will witness from Paralympic athletes are abilities and skills that surprise you, levels of resilience and determination that energise you, and camaraderie that will inspire you.

“Paralympic athletes are not here to participate. They’re not playing games. They are here to compete, win, and smash world records.

“Paralympians are also here to achieve something far greater than personal glory. They want equality and inclusion for themselves and for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities.

“Through their performances Paralympic athletes will challenge stigma, alter attitudes, and redefine the limits of what you think is possible.

“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed.

“The fact these opportunities largely exist only in sport in the year 2024 is shocking. It is proof we can and must do more to advance disability inclusion – whether on the field of play, in the classroom, concert hall or in the boardroom.

“That is why 225 years on from when Place de la Concorde was central to the French Revolution, I hope Paris 2024 starts a Paralympic revolution, the inclusion revolution.”

More than two million tickets have now been sold for this year’s Paralympics, and the para dressage competitions at Versailles have sold out.

Britain’s horses travelled to France today (29 August) with the equestrian competition set to start on Tuesday (3 September).

Before the equestrian action gets under way, Suzanna Hext – a multiple medallist both on a horse and in the swimming pool – will be in action in the S5 100m freestyle at the Paris La Défense Arena tomorrow (Friday, 30 August).

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Who will be on the Paralympic dressage team podium at Paris 2024?

Oscar Williams — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:30:46 +0000

The Brits will head to Paris as underdogs, but it will be an enticing battle at the top, says H&H dressage editor Oscar Williams

Britain has a stellar dressage record at the Paralympics and has won team gold at every Games since the discipline joined the programme in Atlanta in 1996 – but the tides are turning.

In 2018 British dominance and a 22-year unbeaten streak at para dressage championships were broken by the Netherlands who took gold at the World Equestrian Games, relegating the Brits to silver by 0.6%. At the European Championships the following year the Dutch won gold again, extending their margin of victory over the British to almost 6% this time.

All of that meant that the British team went to the Tokyo Games as underdogs. With an inexperienced line-up of horses – all of whom were making their championship debut – the pressure was off with much of the press billing it as an opportune warm-up for Pairs.

But in the absence of expectation came a freedom to take risks, and the British team delivered three remarkable, emotional tests to scoop their seventh consecutive Paralympic title against the odds.

Since then, what we’ve come to know as normal service has resumed with the chastened Dutch retaining their world champion status in 2022 – while the Brits slumped to their lowest-ever championship finish in fourth – and their European title last summer.

So can the British team upset the odds again or will we see the Dutch do what they failed to do in Tokyo and complete their championship collection?

Well, despite not yet knowing which three combinations will contest the team competition, expect the British riders to come out stronger than at the Europeans.

Natasha Baker – competing at her fourth Games – returns to the team with her Tokyo medallist Dawn Chorus while debutante Mari Durward-Akhurst is the current world number one and will be riding the all-star Athene Lindebjerg, who competed at the Rio Games in 2016 with Sophie Christiansen to win triple gold.

But it’s still hard to look past the Dutch riders. Their two highest scorers from the Europeans – Demi Haerkens on Daula and Sanne Voets on the bona fide legend Demantur – are on the team again while Annemarieke Nobel on Doo Schufro and Rixt van der Horst on Royal Fonq are trending on higher scores than the combinations they’ve replaced.

European silver medallists Germany will also threaten the top spots.

The well-backed USA squad are also much fancied and are under the tutelage of Michel Assouline, who led the British team during their golden run.

While the rise of these challengers may spell the end of Britain’s period of Paralympic dominance, high standards show how much the sport has progressed since Atlanta in 1996 where athletes were riding borrowed horses.

Whatever the outcome, it will be a fantastic watch with the equestrian venue at Versailles one of the first two Paralympic venues to sell out – a stark contrast to the vacant grandstands of Tokyo.

H&H’s dressage editor’s Paralympic podium

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Who won the Paralympic dressage team medals since 1996

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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British Paralympics squad prepare to ride in front of sell-out crowds at Paris 2024

Lucy Elder — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 18:21:12 +0000

The final preparations are under way for the Paris Paralympic Games as organisers report tickets to watch the para dressage at Versailles have sold out (3-4 & 6-7 September).

Britain’s horses are set to travel via LeShuttle on Thursday (29 August) and will stop at a private yard in France then continue to Versailles on Friday (30 August) before competition starts on Tuesday.

As H&H went to print on Monday, the squad was in the final preparation camp hosted at the British Showjumping National Training Centre in Leicestershire.

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples told H&H the riders “can’t wait to ride down that centre line” at the “iconic venue”.

“Everybody’s watched the Olympics and some inspirational performances by our counterparts on the Olympic side, seen that stadium, and are just itching to be there,” she said.

Paris organisers reported last week (21 August) that ticket availability for the equestrian competitions was ”almost zero”. Para dressage tickets sold out in June, although some may pop up on the official resale platform.

More than 1.75 million tickets have been sold across all sports and ceremonies, including 700,000 since the start of the Paris Olympics in July. Most tickets (92%) have been snapped up by French buyers; the UK accounts for more than a quarter of the tickets sold internationally.

“We had those special stadiums in Tokyo that were empty, and this is going to be so different. It will add to it, lift it, it always does,” said Ms Sharples.

“People couldn’t go to Tokyo – they missed out on all of that. So it’s an amazing response to have so many owners, friends, family, wider teams, really wanting to get out there and be part of it.”

The British squad is comprised of Mari Durward-Akhurst (Athene Lindebjerg), Georgia Wilson (Sakura), Natasha Baker (Keystone Dawn Chorus) and Sophie Wells, who will now be competing with her direct reserve ride Egebjerggards Samoa. Sophie was initially selected with Don Cara M, but the change has been made owing to a “minor veterinary issue”.

Channel 4 is the UK broadcaster and plans to show more than 1,300 hours of live sport on Channel 4, More4 and streaming. Nearly 1,400 hours of live coverage from all 22 sports will be streamed on YouTube.

Penny Briscoe, chef de mission for ParalympicsGB at Paris 2024, said: “I am absolutely delighted to confirm that 215 athletes will compete [across the sports] for ParalympicsGB in Paris this summer.

“In the three years since the delayed Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, I have been privileged to witness outstanding performances by so many of our athletes at world and European level as they worked so hard to secure qualification for Paris 2024.

“Now that time has come, and we are days away from the start of what I believe will be a spectacular celebration of para sport at the most competitive Paralympic Games ever, which will be enjoyed by fans both in France and around the world.

“Paris 2024 promises to be a landmark Paralympic Games with our highest representation of female athletes ever and a host of talented athletes seeking to achieve personal best performances in one of the world’s great cities.”

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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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Unsung heroes: the role of ‘friendly horses’ at the Paris Paralympics

Oscar Williams — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:00:12 +0000

While you’re watching the para dressage at the Paris Paralympics, you might find yourself wondering, “Why is there another horse in the arena?”

These unsung heroes are known as “companion horses” or more often – and more endearingly – as “friendly horses” and play a vital role at the Paralympics in keeping the competing horse calm and the rider safe.

But they’re more than a practical measure, they’re also a testament to the collaborative spirit and traditions that have been a part of para dressage since its inception at the Atlanta Games in 1996.

Back then, the athletes were competing on borrowed horses which were drawn on lots upon arrival at the venue.

Britain’s Anne Dunham, who won team gold and grade II individual bronze in Atlanta, recalled arriving at the Games, digging her hand into a hat and drawing out the name of the horse she would compete – which turned out to be a horse called Doodlebug.

“He was a riding school pony who really did behave like a doodlebug in the arena!” remembers Anne, who added that she “actually really liked” competing on the borrowed horses.

“I didn’t have my own horse until I was in my 40s anyway, and I worked at riding schools, always riding whatever was left over or came my way,” she told H&H. “I was very used to riding anything and everything.

“We would see the horses being paraded and we all daydreamed about the one we would choose, but we’d almost never get it.

“We had an hour a day to ride our allotted horse in the run-up to the competition, which was only a couple of days.

“It was a challenge, but I thought it was great fun, and it brought about a huge sense of camaraderie, which still exists in the sport today.”

From the archives: The Horse & Hound report from September 1996 on para dressage’s first-ever appearance at the Paralympics. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Like Doodlebug, most of these borrowed horses came from local riding schools and weren’t used to working in an arena alone.

To help keep them calm organisers allowed a “friend horse” to accompany them into the arena. In Atlanta, the horse that had just completed its test would often stay in the arena to provide company to the next competitor.

While at the 2004 Athens Games local therapy horses were enlisted to stand in the arena throughout the competition alongside volunteer handlers.

The sport has come on leaps and bounds since then, and now teams can bring their own companion horse. However, it’s not uncommon for horses to be shared between countries – keeping that spirit of camaraderie alive.

The rules for the “friendly horses” at the Paris Paralympics

Today, a companion horse is permitted to enter the arena with the competing horse at grades I, II and III.

The companion horse can be held in hand within the field of play but outside the white boards.

In the past, competitors could choose where to position the companion horse, sometimes strategically placing them in challenging spots or spooky corners to give the competing horse added confidence.

Now, however, the area they stand in must be designated by the president of the ground jury prior to the start of the competition. Typically, this is at the A end of the arena, to give the horses extra confidence when they’re entering.

This will be particularly important in Paris, where the atmosphere is likely to be much more intimidating than most the horses are used to – with the equestrian venue at Versailles one of the first two Paralympic venues to sell out.

Companion horses can wear a bridle, and if needed, a rug but no saddles or other adornments like advertisements are allowed.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘They got what they deserved’: reflections on British riders’ Olympic success – as eyes turn to the Paralympics

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 14:52:14 +0000

The equestrian events at the Paris Olympics have come to a close – after huge and deserved success for the British teams.

There was no individual showjumping medal added to the British haul last Tuesday (6 August); all three combinations had jumped clear in the first round to qualify for the final but Harry Charles withdrew Romeo 88 that morning as the 15-year-old gelding had a small overreach. Scott Brash and Jefferson and Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly had an unlucky rail each to finish sixth and ninth respectively.

But the team had already secured a fabulous team gold, making it four showjumping golds at four Olympics on the trot, added to eventing team gold and individual bronze and double dressage bronze.

The Queen was among those to pay tribute to the horses’ and riders’ achievements.

“As patron of the British Equestrian Federation, I – along with our entire country – could not be prouder of every member of Team GB for your tremendous tally of medals at the Paris 2024 Games,” she said.

“I am full of admiration for your skill, passion and determination and I send my warmest congratulations to you all.”

British Equestrian (BEF) performance director Helen Nicholls told H&H it had been a very busy couple of weeks – and that the journey home is always better when there are medals on board.

“For the athletes I feel huge pride and relief, and I’m so, so pleased they got what they deserved,” she said. “When you go to the Games with human and equine athletes of the calibre Great Britain has, all you hope is that things will go well for them, and they get the opportunity to deliver what they’re capable of. And when they do, that’s job done.”

Helen said her job is similar to that of a conductor in an orchestra; with all the groundwork and preparation on all fronts before the Games, if all goes well, it is about overseeing the results of that, and knowing when to step in and when not to is key.

But that huge amount of preparation that goes into any championship is often unseen.

“Everyone sees the medals but not the work that goes on to get there,” she said. “I think that’s really important; you see Scott Brash riding that last round and he’s a genius and amazing, but he wasn’t born into it or just given a good horse; to see the journey he has been on to get there is incredible.”

One key to success, Helen added, is the collaboration; the disciplines working together to share positives and learnings.

“We work together as a team and the athletes couldn’t be prouder of each other, and wanted to make sure each was as successful as the other,” she said. “In our accommodation, you wouldn’t know any difference between disciplines and when one won a medal, the others were there to welcome them home.”

The team had to go to Paris straight after the emergence of the video for which Charlotte Dujardin was suspended, but Helen said the response was a united one.

“When you go to any championship you expect something to go wrong,” she said. “This was at the extreme end but you just keep to your system and protect the performance. Our athletes don’t deserve to have their preparation derailed so we protect them at all costs and I think we did that incredibly well. It’s testament to the sport and sport media and people involved that allowed us to do that. Other sports might have turned on themselves but we felt it was a fair and reasonable response from everybody, and everybody pulled their arms together tighter.”

Preparations for the Paralympics (3-4 and 6-7 September) are now in their final stages, as attention turns back to Versailles.

“We’re getting ready to go out there, and the Olympics will have given them the confidence to kick on to take their opportunity to deliver what they’re capable of too,” Helen said.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, the Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘What you possess in your heart can’t be lost by death’: farewell to top mare weeks before championship

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 12:56:37 +0000

The German para dressage team is grieving the loss of championship medal-winning mare Nautika, who has died weeks before she was due to compete in the Paralympics.

The 18-year-old mare and her 63-year-old rider Martina Benzinger had been selected to represent Germany together at a second major championship but Nautika had been found “not in her usual form”.

“To get to the bottom of the matter, Nautika was subjected to a CT scan, which unexpectedly revealed serious complications,” a spokesperson for the German equestrian federation said.

“For several days, everything was tried to save the mare, but in the end it was unsuccessful.”

Martina and the Lipizzaner, a former driving horse, had been together since 2020 and had 28 international wins together.

They were selected for the 2022 World Championships but had to withdraw at short notice, making their debut together instead at the 2023 Europeans, where they were on the team that won silver. They also took silver in the grade I individual test, and bronze in the freestyle.

“We are all so very sorry for Martina. We know how much Nautika meant to her and how great the loss is for her. Nautika was something unique in all her ways, a real personality,” said Nico Hörmann, German para dressage team leader.

In a separate statement, the German para dressage team said Nautika’s death came “far too early”.

“The grief of the loss of this special horse runs great across the team,” the statement said, adding a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: “What you possess deep in your heart cannot be lost by death.”

Martina said: “We will never forget you, in my heart Nauti will always have a very big place.”

Regine Mispelkamp, also a member of the German para dressage team, said Nauitka was a joy to work with.

“A lot of charisma, character and an enormous expression were the characteristics of the little mare,” she said. “Equipped with a tactful and even stride, the little mare carried her rider Martina safely, reliably and piously through every test. With her sometimes very lively temperament and her own strength of opinion, she was a little special to deal with.

“We’re sure Nauti now has a place of honour in the sky on the special clouds, she certainly deserves it. We still can’t believe it and wish you, dear friends, our condolences and a lot of strength. Nauti will always be in our hearts!”

Isabell Nowak joins the German team with Siracusa OLD, and Melanie Wienand and Lemony’s Loverboy are the new reserves.

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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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British riders’ plans, cancellation rumours quashed and a pivotal weekend: the final Olympic countdown

Lucy Elder — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 17:51:57 +0000

Paris preparations are full steam ahead with a little over a fortnight to go before the opening of the 2024 Olympic Games.

Paris 2024 organisers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) have both strongly denied any truth in rumours regarding the postponement or cancellation of the Games, owing to the political situation in France, which is facing a hung parliament as no party won enough seats for a majority in the 7 July election.

A statement from Paris 2024 said it had “become aware of false information circulating about the cancellation of the Paris Games”. It added that “Paris 2024 denies this information and urges people not to share it”, adding that it “will investigate the source of this false information”.

The IOC has also strongly refuted these rumours, stating: “[They have] no factual basis whatsoever. The IOC president and the entire Olympic movement are looking forward with great anticipation to excellent Olympic Games Paris 2024, starting with the opening ceremony on 26 July.”

The past weekend was a significant moment for many in preparations and build-up to the Games, ahead of the final Olympic entries deadline that fell as H&H went to press (8 July).

These included Britain’s reigning dressage world champions Lottie Fry and Glamourdale scoring a double in the CDI4* grand prix and grand prix special at Aachen, in what Lottie described as “the best feeling I could have wished for before Paris”.

The British showjumping team finished third in the Aachen Nations’ Cup, with a team including Olympic combination Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson jumping double clear; British showjumping performance manager Di Lampard said “the team are really coming together”.

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue topped the Olympic-bound advanced section at Aston-le-Walls, in which British squad members Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo finished fourth with a steady double clear.

Defending Olympic eventing champion Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 were boosted to the alternate spot on the German side heading to Paris, by virtue of their winning performance at Aachen.

H&H also spoke to British Paris-bound riders last week, for their latest updates as they continue preparations.

“It looks like we’re shaping up to have a really good team,” Carl Hester told H&H. “Fame and Imhotep have improved at each show and we could see at Wellington CDI that they’re getting back to the level which we had at the European Championships last year, which was important.

“There’s still a little bit of tweaking to be done and we’ve booked to go to Hartpury for a mock competition 10 days before we go to Paris, just to make sure that we’ve got everything polished.”

Laura Collett confirmed that her triple five-star winner and Tokyo Olympic team gold medal-winning ride London 52 is back in work and “feeling well”, following the minor injury that led to his withdrawal ahead of the showjumping at Luhmühlen CCI4*-S last month.

“Touch wood he’s all good; it took a few days for the wound to heal and since then he’s been good,” Laura told H&H. “He is feeling really well, so fingers crossed we have enough vet wrap, bubble wrap and cotton wool for the next few weeks before the Games.

“It was very annoying for him to have that injury, but it was very obvious straight off what it was – it was something so minor but was sore for him. For me the most important thing – always the most important thing – was he was fundamentally going to be ok, not to go and jump round a showjumping track. It was very frustrating, but the bigger picture was that he’s ok.”

On the announcement of the British squads (news, 4 July), British equestrian team leader Helen Nicolls said she is “exceptionally proud” of the selected combinations and connections.

“The hours of preparation, enormous sacrifice and total dedication will now be put to the ultimate test. The teams behind the athletes – both equine and human – have left no stone unturned in their quest to support them to their very best performances,” she said.

One of Paris 2024’s goals was to be the “greenest” ever Games, with a carbon emissions target of less than half that of the Games at London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

The latest update from the organisers, dated 27 June, said the current estimated carbon footprint is “even lower” than the target at this stage.

“Six years ago, Paris 2024 set itself an ambitious goal of reducing the carbon footprint of the Games,” said Paris 2024 president, Tony Estanguet.

“We are proud to back up our commitment to the climate by supporting carbon avoidance and capture projects both in France and in the regions of the world most impacted by the effects of climate change.”

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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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Everything we know about the Paris 2024 Games equestrian venue

Oscar Williams — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 16:30:08 +0000

The Paris Olympics equestrian venue for the 2024 Summer Games will be located in the historic grounds of the Palace of Versailles, 35km from the Olympic and Paralympic village.

Preparations are well underway, with a temporary 16,000-seat outdoor arena under construction at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The arena is located on the 12.85 acres of the Étoile Royale esplanade, adjacent to the Grand Canal, which runs along the main east-west axis of the Park of Versailles.

The Grand Canal itself was constructed between 1668 and 1679 and is renowned as one of the most famous works of André Le Nôtre, a prominent French landscape architect who was the principal gardener of King Louis XIV of France.

The arena will be bordered by three grandstands, with an open-ended section overlooking the Grand Canal and the palace facade, 3km to the east.

From 27 July to 11 August, and then again from 3–7 September 2024, it will host two Olympic eventing phases (dressage and showjumping), as well as the pure Olympic showjumping and Olympic dressage competitions, and dressage at the Paralympics.

The 5.3km Olympic eventing cross-country course will be held alongside the Grand Canal, while the five modern pentathlon disciplines will also take place at the Palace of Versailles.

The Paris 2024 equestrian events will be held at the Palace of Versailles. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

There will be three warm-up areas, each subdivided into two to create a total of six arenas. A designated one-way system will be implemented for competitors navigating to and from the 10-minute box and exiting the competition arena, so there will be no horses crossing over in those final minutes.

“It’s really starting to come together,” said British Equestrian (BEF) performance director Helen Nicholls following a recent visit. “This is going to be a really special moment for equestrianism. Even with no one there, it looked spine-tinglingly good.”

Horses will be allocated stables based on their discipline rather than their country of origin, and strict arrival and departure schedules will be enforced.

Event horses will be the first to arrive on 24 July, with dressage horses following suit on 26 July. Event horses will depart on 29 July, allowing for the disinfection of their stables before the arrival of the showjumpers the next day. It has been organised this way to prevent disturbance on each group of horses as the others are coming or going.

“In these 11 days of competition, the principle in mind has always been the welfare of the horse,” said FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibañez . “That is why they have the stabling by discipline and not by national federation, it’s bearing in mind the mental state of our horses as well.”

After the Games, all temporary structures necessary for hosting the competitions will be dismantled, and the grounds will be returned to their original state, as part of the organisers’ ongoing environmental commitments.

As a lasting legacy of the event, there will be a comprehensive restoration of the Royal Gate to its original layout, featuring two distinct gates positioned along the main and secondary pathways of the Étoile Royale. Situated on the Western perimeter of the estate, this structure will serve as the designated entrance for athletes and horses throughout the Games.

Historic Versailles: the Paris Olympics equestrian venue

Horses are synonymous with Versailles. During the Ancien Régime, daily life at Versailles centred on horses and their multifaceted roles, encompassing entertainment, warfare, and transportation.

Indeed, the roots of Versailles lie in the House of Bourbon’s love of hunting. Louis XIII was so enamoured with the forests of Versailles that in 1623, he ordered the construction of a modest hunting lodge that would later be transformed by Louis XIV into the Versailles we know today. His predecessors were also enthusiastic hunters, going out between 150 and 180 times a year.

The Palace of Versailles, with the Apollo Fountain in the foreground, which sits between the Grand Canal and the palace. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian venue will be located at the far end of the canal, with views up towards this aspect. (Image credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

The royal stables were among the most important departments of the King’s Household. The Great Stables and Small Stables were built between 1679 and 1683, with Great Stables being administered by the Grand Écuyer de France and the Small Stables fell under the authority of the Premier Écuyer.

The Grand Écuyer was responsible for saddle horses, trained for hunting and war while the Premier Écuyer was in charge of all other mounts, such as coach horses.

Court society emphasised the significance of equestrian culture. The King had to showcase his horsemanship as a symbol of his governing prowess and the image of the King as a skilled horseman was a vital aspect of the royal identity, depicted through various art forms and literature.

Horses remain an important part of Versailles’ visual culture and sculptures – such as the restored statues of Apollo’s Fountain – are displayed prominently across the palace grounds.

As part of the Olympic programme, there will be a special exhibition dedicated to horses and equestrian culture in Europe between the 16th and 20th centuries from 2 July to 3 November 2024, as well as a series of tours and programmes that connect equestrian sports and the arts.

Find somewhere to stay near Versailles for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics

georgia.guerin@futurenet.com (Georgia Guerin) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 09:57:30 +0000

The Palace of Versailles is playing host to all equestrian events, plus the modern pentathlon, at the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. Also known as the Château de Versailles, it welcomed the court of Louis XIV in 1682, and became an integral part of French royalty. It became a national museum in 1883, opening its magnificent gardens the public, and was the first French place to be listed as a UNESCO heritage site in 1979. If you’re planning a trip to the venue, check out these hotels near the Palace of Versailles, plus B&Bs, guesthouses and holiday lets. Accommodation is listed in order of distance from the venue.

Hotels near the Palace of Versailles
Holiday lets and apartments near the Palace of Versailles

Hotels near the Palace of Versailles

Hôtel le Versailles
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This hotel has a selection of rooms to choose from, including family rooms.View Deal

Hôtel du Jeu de Paume
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This hotel has unique decoration and a small, flowered garden for guests to make use of.View Deal

Waldorf Astoria Versailles
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
Set over 8 acres of greenery, this 5-star hotel has two restaurants and a bar, and guests have free access to the Spa Guerlain facilities.View Deal

Le Louis Versailles Château
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This hotel has a restaurant, bar and terrace, and is situated in an excellent location.View Deal

Ibis Versailles Château
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This hotel is right near an RER station giving you access to the rest of the city.View Deal

Hôtel la Residence Du Berry
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This hotel is right by the train station, giving you access to other parts of the city.View Deal

Hôtel d’Angleterre
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This 2-star hotel serves breakfast and has a small courtyard.View Deal

Royal Hôtel
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This 2-star hotel offers breakfast and a range of rooms.View Deal

Les Etangs de Corot
Distance: 3.2 miles | Tripadvisor rating: |
This luxury 4-star hotel has two restaurants and a spa.View Deal

Hotel Quorum
Distance: 5.5 miles | Tripadvisor rating: |
This 3-star hotel, has a restaurant, bar and lounge area.View Deal

Hotel Acanthe
Distance: 6.5 miles | Tripadvisor rating: |
This 4-star hotel has a bar and lounge, and a range of rooms to choose from.View Deal

Holiday lets and apartments near the Palace of Versailles

Le Petit Versailles
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
This 4-bed villa has everything you need for your stay, including BBQ facilities.View Deal

Uncle Louis’ Apartment
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
Choose from a variety of studio setups in this aparthotel.View Deal

Loft Apartment, Versailles
Distance: < 1 mile | Tripadvisor rating: |
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How to watch the 2024 Paralympics dressage live from around the world

Gemma Redrup — Sun, 13 Aug 2023 15:12:38 +0000

The Paris Paralympics is set to be a sporting bonanza you don’t want to miss with the dressage due to kick off on 3 September. In some countries you’ll be able to watch all the action for free, but wherever you are in the world, we have what you need to know on how to watch the 2024 Paralympics dressage live.

Choose your country: UK | US | Canada | Australia | Germany | France | Italy

If you’re outside your normal country of residence, but want your usual coverage, or if you’d like to have the additional online security offered by a VPN connection, check out the NordVPN, where you can get 73% off, plus a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below.

Watch the equestrian action for free: CBC (Canada) | 9Now (Australia) |Use Nord VPN to watch your stream from abroad

H&H will be reporting on all the action from the dressage at the Paralympics, led by our dressage editor Oscar Williams on location at Versailles. A Horse & Hound website subscription gives you instant unlimited access, wherever you are, to all of our written coverage of the action, from just £1. Sign up now

How to watch Paralympics dressage in the UK

Channel 4 will broadcast all of the Paralympics action for free. Several livestreams will also be running on YouTube, which will show the Paralympics in its entirety.

But what if you aren’t at home to catch the equestrian coverage of the Paris Paralympics? Maybe you’re on holiday and don’t want to spend money on pay TV in another country, when you’d usually be able to watch the event for free at home?

Don’t worry — you can watch it via a VPN instead. We’ll show you how to do that below.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage live from outside your country

If you’re travelling and still want to watch the Paris Paralympics, this is how you can. Even if you have subscribed to the relevant 2024 Paralympics rights holders, you won’t be able to use them when outside your own country. The service will know your location based on your IP address, and will automatically block your access.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) helps you get around this obstacle. A VPN creates a private connection between your device and the internet, ensuring that all the information passing back and forth is entirely encrypted.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. As a rule, we’d suggest a paid-for service such as NordVPN, where you can get 73% off. This offer also offers a 30-day money back guarantee if you’re not happy with the service.

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For instance, if you’re away from the UK and want to view a British service, you’d select UK from the list.

3. Then head over to Channel 4 on your browser or device and enjoy the free equestrian coverage on the Paris Olympics livestream.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in the US

Peacock TV has broadcasting rights to the 2024 Paralympics in the US, with coverage likely to be spread across NBC’s cable channels too.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in the US without cable

Peacock costs $7.99 a month for an ad-supported version of the service that also offers live coverage of EPL soccer, every big WWE event, Premiership Rugby, plus plenty more live sports. You also have the option of paying $13.99 a month for commercial-free coverage.

OTT streaming service Sling TV is reasonably priced and includes NBC, USA Network and MSNBC as part of its Sling Blue package in most major markets. The usual cost is $45 a month, but if you’re new to the service you can get $10 off your first month.

Another over-the-top streaming service that includes NBC, USA Network and MSNBC is FuboTV. It’s a much more comprehensive cable replacement, and carries more than 100 channels including Fox, CBS and ESPN.

Prices start at $79.99 a month after a FREE FuboTV trial.

If you subscribe to Sling, Peacock, or any other US streaming service and find yourself unable to access coverage because you’re out of the country, consider using a VPN as outlined above – of the many options, we rate NordVPN as the best of the best.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in Canada

In Canada the Paralympics will be broadcast for free via CBC.

CBC always offer plenty of events free to watch on CBC Gem. You can currently pay $4.99 per month for ad-free access to CBC Gem’s on-demand library, but if you don’t mind sitting through advert breaks, the service is free.

If you’re outside of Canada but still want to watch the action, don’t forget to explore NordVPN, as set out above.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in Australia

The entirety of the 2024 Paralympics is set to be shown for free across Channel 9 in Australia. That means viewers will also be able to use a 2024 Paralympics live stream on the 9Now streaming service, which is compatible with most smart devices.

Not going to be in Australia? Use a VPN to watch the 2024 Paralympics on 9Now from abroad.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in Germany

ARD and ZDF have broadcasting rights to the 2024 Paralympics in Germany and the entirety of the Games will be broadcast for free via these channels.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in France

France TV has broadcasting rights to the 2024 Paralympics in France and from here, you can watch all of the action for free.

How to watch the Paralympics dressage from Paris 2024 in Italy

If you would like to view all of the action for free from Italy, Rai has broadcasting rights to the 2024 Paralympics from this country.

Schedule of dressage at the Paralympics at Paris 2024

Here is an overview of the schedule of the dressage at the 2024 Paralympics.

Date	Sport	Session	Medals
3 September	Dressage	Grade I	Individual
3 September	Dressage	Grade II	Individual
3 September	Dressage	Grade III	Individual
4 September	Dressage	Grade IV	Individual
4 September	Dressage	Grade V	Individual
6 September	Dressage	All grades	Team
7 September	Dressage	Freestyle Grade IV	Individual
7 September	Dressage	Freestyle Grade V	Individual
7 September	Dressage	Freestyle Grade I	Individual
7 September	Dressage	Freestyle Grade II	Individual
7 September	Dressage	Freestyle Grade III	Individual

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympics, Burghley, HOYS and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

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(Image credit: Martha Terry)

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