Para dressage star Sophie Christiansen has received a prestigious award – as she looks ahead to her wedding and career ambitions following her retirement from the saddle.

On 26 November Sophie was given a lifetime achievement award at the Variety Disability Sports Awards. The event, hosted by children’s charity Variety, celebrates and champions the achievements of sportspeople, from emerging talents to outstanding individuals and teams. Among the other winners, Dame Sarah Storey, the record-breaking Paralympic swimmer and cyclist, also received a lifetime achievement award.

Sophie told H&H that she attended the event as a guest of ParaGB and did not know she would be receiving an award.

“It was really special to be invited, and I was there to support ParaGB and Variety,” said Sophie.

“I was watching along with everyone else and thought the winners were speaking so eloquently, and I thought ‘I’m glad I’m not up there’. Then they started describing my career and I thought ‘Hang on, I might have to go up and I haven’t prepared a speech!’.

“I was so taken aback, it was a really lovely surprise – and to be presented the award by my idol Tanni Grey-Thompson was just incredible.”

Earlier this month Sophie announced her retirement after a 20-year competition career, in which she won 30 senior championship medals. Sophie is now looking to the future and has plans to fill her extra time.

“Firstly, I’m still looking for a home for my horse William. I love him but I need to sell him so that I can properly retire. He’s one of the sweetest horses I’ve known, he’s amazing as a grade one horse but he’s so versatile – my trainer has been competing him at advanced medium,” she said.

“I’m planning my wedding, which is in July, and something to look forward to. I also want to work more now that I have the time. My employer Goldman Sachs have been amazing letting me do my sport, but now I want to focus on my career.”

Sophie also has plans to give back to keep giving back to the sport.

“I want to help British Dressage, British Equestrian and the Riding for the Disabled Association to make the sport more accessible again,” she said.

“It’s become so expensive, and when I look back my parents, who are teachers, would never have been able to afford to help me get into riding as it is now, so I want to help generate a bit more money in the sport.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘The memories give me goosebumps’: top rider calls time on sporting career after 20 years – and 30 medals

‘A dazzling career’: leading figures pay tribute after top rider hangs up her boots

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Leading figures across the dressage world have paid tribute to the “inspirational” Sophie Christiansen after she called time on her sporting career.

H&H reported on Tuesday that the para dressage star, who has won 30 championship medals for Britain, had announced her retirement.

Sophie still plans to be involved in the sport, to help others achieve their dreams.

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples said: “What a dazzling career it’s been. To have formed gold medal-winning partnerships with such a variety of horses shows true talent and it’s been a pleasure to watch her compete on the world stage.

“One of Sophie’s defining characteristics has always been her total commitment to anything she puts her mind to, whether that’s her riding, qualifications and career or tirelessly campaigning for disability rights. She’s incredibly driven and talented, with her eye firmly on the bigger picture. Despite calling time on competitive riding, I know that she’ll still be helping to develop and grow our sport from the sidelines.

“I want to thank Sophie for everything she’s done for British para dressage – she’s one of our greatest ambassadors and has taken us on an amazing journey filled with memories. Whatever comes next, I’m sure that she’ll be successful in all that she does – from planning her wedding to supporting a new generation of riders.”

British Dressage CEO Jason Brautigam said Sophie’s achievements elevated dressage to a new level.

“And her strength, courage and resilience inspired countless others, underlined by the fact that she remains the only para dressage rider to have been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year,” he said. “On behalf of the whole para community, I would like to express our gratitude for all that Sophie has done for British Dressage, as we celebrate her legacy on her retirement and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.”

Riding for the Disabled Association CEO Michael Bishop added that Sophie has inspired countless riders.

“Her personal achievements will resonate for generations of aspiring Paralympians, while her campaigning has been vital in growing support for para dressage, nurturing emerging talent, and reshaping perceptions of para-sport and disability,” he said.

“We are proud to call her one of our own and wish her every success as she transitions from competitive sport. We eagerly anticipate her future achievements.”

Michel Assouline, coach of the UK para dressage team between 2005 and 2017, said it must have been a tough decision for Sophie.

“You truly had an incredible career, notably no less than being twice a Paralympic triple gold medallist, London 2012 and Rio 2016, which I had the honour to witness as part of the GB team, and several world and European Championships gold medals too!” he said.

“Our entire community is truly in admiration of your extraordinary accomplishments. The memory of your presence on the world stage as a top-class athlete and amazing wellbeing is going to deliver a lasting impact and legacy on para dressage. Wishing you every success in your endeavours and new chapter.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘The memories give me goosebumps’: top rider calls time on sporting career after 20 years – and 30 medals

‘A true horseman and a master of his craft’: riders’ tributes as William Fox-Pitt bows out of top level

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British para dressage legend Sophie Christiansen retires after a 20-year competition career, in which she has won 30 senior championship medals for Britain.

Sophie made the announcement today (5 November) but joked that “you won’t get rid of me that easily”, as she intends to work within the sport to help others achieve their dreams.

“I was once told, ‘when you know, you know’,” Sophie said. “I used to wonder what this meant, but now I realise that I am more excited about the possibilities of what I could do outside the sport than doing another four-year cycle of highs and lows as an athlete.

“It took a whole army to help me accomplish what I have, from my coaches to my family, [Riding for the Disabled Association] RDA volunteers to PE teachers, my PAs to my PTs, and of course those who have helped me fundraise and have donated so generously. I can’t even begin to put into words how humbled I am by your belief and support.

“I obviously can’t name you all, but I hope that you know how incredibly grateful I am. To be able to form incredible partnerships with such kind, talented horses has been a privilege and an honour.”

Sophie said it goes without saying how much para dressage has given her.

“Sport has empowered me to redefine what I thought was possible, to keep breaking barriers in all areas of my life,” she said. “I started riding with the RDA when I was six years old in order to help with my disability. Coming from a non-horsey family, I doubt that I would have ever sat on a horse without the RDA. People began seeing my potential as a teenager and suggested that I started para dressage at South Bucks RDA. I have always been competitive, so being able to find a sport that I could excel at was a complete game changer! South Bucks RDA guided me carefully from being classified, to competing at the RDA Nationals, to becoming selected for my first Paralympic Games at just 16 years old – three years after taking up the sport.”

That first Games was in Athens 2004, the first Paralympics at which riders were on their own horses. But Sophie rode Hotstuff, who belonged to her teammate Nicola Tustain. At the age of 16, Sophie won her first medal, a bronze. She competed at four successive Paralympics, adding eight gold medals and a silver to her tally.

“I am so indebted as the whole experience [of Athens] changed my life,” Sophie said. “As a teenager with a disability, I was very shy and self-conscious about my speech impairment, but seeing these amazing disabled athletes getting on with their lives and joking about it at the same time, I wanted to be seen in this positive light too. Of course, now you all will have seen this on TV, but back then I had never seen the Paralympics in the media. I won an extremely unexpected bronze medal which lit the fire in me to go on and win 27 European, world and Paralympic gold medals for Great Britain.

“I was lucky enough to have a really great support team around me to be able to carry on my education alongside fulfilling my sporting dreams. Elite sport has taught me so many different skills that I was able to achieve a first class masters degree and start a career at a prestigious company as a software developer in London.”

Sophie Christiansen retires having also been awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list for services to disabled sport and an OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours list. That year, Sophie became a triple gold medallist at the London Paralympics, which she said was “beyond my wildest dreams”.

“Having my brother and cousins start a chant of “We love you, Sophie!” by 10,000 spectators was just insane!” she said. “The memories still give me goosebumps. It was here that my double life as a Paralympic gold medallist with a career gave me a platform to highlight the barriers that disabled people face in society. I hope that in some way I can make a difference and create a more equitable world.

“The best night of my life (before my wedding to Peter next year!) was BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2016. I was so shocked to be nominated amongst 16 sporting celebrities. My mission on the night was to not come last! The BBC made an amazing video about my story, which I think really resonated with the public. During the live show, only the top three were announced. I remember I was standing with my family at the afterparty, when Clare Balding, who has known me since I was 16 years old, came running up to me with the final results saying “Sophie! Sophie! You came fifth!”. To be ranked so highly amongst sporting royalty was just incredible.”

Sophie Christiansen retires enjoyed unbelievable experiences through her sport, and bonded with many “remarkable” horses.

“In recent years, I have wanted to give back to the sport I have loved so much,” she said.

“Part of this was to create a community of supporters through Sophie’s Gold Club (SGC) to bring people closer to the action of para dressage. Through SGC ambassadors, I have mentored up-and-coming riders, supporting them on their own journeys. I want to work alongside the RDA, British Dressage and British Equestrian to continue introducing people to the world of para dressage so that when another ‘me’ comes along, they can also achieve their dreams. You won’t get rid of me that easily!

“Unfortunately, I cannot just hang my bike in the garage or put my swimming costume in a drawer, I still have [my horse] William to think about. I would love to find him a loving home where this sweet stallion will be adored as much as he is by me.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout major shows such as London International and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

Sophie Christiansen bags third gold; Paralympic team-mates scoop silvers

Britain secures a gold and two silvers to ensure medals at every level in every test on the final day

‘After Rio, I decided either to retire or start afresh’: Paralympian Sophie Christiansen on legacies and starting again with a new team

She has eight Paralympic gold medals, so what fires the para star up for more? Martha Terry talks to Sophie

We’re backing Nick and Sophie for SPOTY — are you?

Download our Nick Skelton mask and share your pictures of Sophie on social media #SPOTY

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Four-time Paralympian Sophie Christiansen has found her “para unicorn” as she looks ahead to Paris 2024.

This month Sophie said that after a long search, she had bought 12-year-old KWPN stallion Gladstone from Oakleigh Farm Stud. “William” is a familiar face in the para dressage world; he was formerly competed by Sophie Wells and shortlisted with her for the 2018 World Equestrian Games.

Sophie told H&H it had been difficult finding the right horse; one she had on trial turned out to be unsuitable and two others were deemed unsuitable during their vettings. Her former ride Scirocco T, who she bought last year with hopes of championships, started struggling with lameness issues, and does not look likely to return to competition.

“It’s so difficult to find the right horse for grade one,” she said. “They have to have the perfect temperament – and have an amazing walk. That’s why it’s probably harder finding a grade one horse than other grades, because it’s all about the walk.”

Sophie said she had been keeping people up to date about her horse search on social media when Sophie Wells contacted her and suggested William, and put her in touch with Oakleigh Farm Stud.

“Although it’s taken a long time to find the right horse, everything has worked out and I really feel that William is the best horse I’ve seen in 10 years,” she said.

“When Sophie used to have him we always joked he’d make a brilliant grade one horse. And when I went to try him we just clicked and I thought, ‘We need to get this horse!’.”

Sophie said because William is a “once in a lifetime horse” it was a big decision for his owner Charlie Zehetmayr to sell him, and she will be “forever grateful” to her.

“Everyone who knows William says his temperament is perfect for me, and not only does he have this humongous walk, he’s got the X-factor,” she said.

“Being a stallion, he will really make the judges sit up and take notice. I feel very lucky to have him. I can’t thank Sophie Wells enough, without her this wouldn’t have happened.”

Sophie paid £80,000 for William – using money she had saved for her wedding, and £7,000 from donations via a GoFundMe page. The crowdfunding page remains open, and Sophie hopes to raise further donations to help with her ongoing costs towards Paris.

“I had put the money aside to get married, but thankfully my fiance [Peter McKnight] is very supportive and wants me to get to Paris,” said Sophie. “I can’t believe how many people donated to the GoFundme, it’s just incredible.”

Sophie said people have asked her why she has to fundraise, and she explained that she has “picked the most expensive sport”.

“As I’m grade one and need a certain type of horse, many owners can’t support me and I need to think outside of the box when it comes to fundraising,” she said.

“Without owners I worry that it won’t be sustainable for up and coming para riders of the future. Able-bodied riders often rely on owners to provide rides but as I’m grade one and need a certain type of horse, owners that may want to support me are unable to due to not having that para superstar. Due to the lack of visibility of para dressage, owners may underestimate the training para riders can put in to improve their horses, just like Olympic riders.”

You might also be interested in:

Natasha Baker: ‘Para classification is unfair – all athletes should be reclassified’

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

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

With Paris 2024 qualification in the bag, British para dressage is taking stock and reviewing how it can sharpen its world-leading edge on an increasingly competitive global stage.

Britain has blazed a trail since 1996, but now other nations have caught up. The Brits bagged seven medals at the 2022 World Championships, yet there’s no getting away from the fact that Britain finished off the team podium for the first time. The standard was outstanding and the closeness of the results made for exciting sport.

So how does Britain push forward?

The answer, from those H&H approached, is that horsepower is critical as is increasing and nurturing rider talent. Horses and riders need greater exposure to busy show environments as they progress through their education and development. To source and afford the horsepower needed, a greater understanding in the wider equine marketplace of the qualities para horses require is needed. And riders need owners. The solution to many of these points lies in a much closer relationship between able-bodied and para sport.

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples reflected on the worldwide and national growth of the sport, adding London remains a “watershed moment”, but the sport has “grown exponentially” since then.

“Just in Britain, we’ve gone from 80 to 250 active para riders in the past four years,” she told H&H.

“If you project that to the rest of the globe, I think it starts to explain the competitiveness and acceleration of para sport and para dressage.“Tiny margins will forever now separate medals and I think people will be talking about podiums rather than golds, as they do in Olympic sport. There’s absolutely no room for error.”

The increase in both standard and international interest are welcomed.

“That’s what makes sport exciting, that’s what athletes want,” she says, adding that with that comes a “rallying cry” to support British para dressage.

“We absolutely can’t overlook the need for owners and we have some incredible ones.

“The need for owners to invest in horsepower has never been more important; it is increasingly difficult for riders just to go it alone, with the kind of horse they need.”

That links to the desire for greater overlap between the able-bodied and para fixtures, which Ms Sharples and riders both highlighted. It’s on the cards – and is particularly important post-Brexit, which makes competing abroad more challenging and costly.

“Integration is very much about the development of horse and rider, but it’s also letting as many people as possible see para dressage, who’ll perhaps then think, ‘I could be involved in that’ at any level – as a rider, an official or owner. We need people to get involved,” she said.

Natasha Baker has long advocated for more para sport at British shows and told H&H it’s important from many angles. Those include education, better exposure of horses and riders to championship-like atmospheres, and in terms of marketplace.

Speaking generally, she said horsepower is a key factor where other nations have overtaken Britain, giving the example of the Dutch NOP scheme, which provides financial support to secure top horses.

“There’s a lot of horses out there and they are not all going to make it to grand prix. It’s tapping into the professional riders that we have in this country,” she said, explaining that is how she found Keystone Dawn Chorus.

“That’s why I think Hartpury International is so great, we compete in the outdoor arena and a lot of the professional riders are there, sitting on the bank, hopefully seeing the standard of horses we need. Every year someone new comes up to me and says, ‘Wow, I didn’t know what the horsepower was like’.”She adds more consistent exposure to bigger crowds and competitions is another area that sets European nations apart.

“Getting more exposure to bigger atmospheres – and from a young age – I think would really help our horses,” she said.

In terms of British talent coming through, Keysoe CPEDI (see report, 13 October) was a place to spot horses and riders on the rise, including exciting six-year-olds partnered by Sophie Wells, Georgia Wilson and Erin Orford.

Ms Sharples praised the current para pathway, noting that being the best in the world isn’t just about having “three combinations to go and win medals”, but about the bigger picture of growing a sport. Other developments include the forthcoming launch of British Dressage’s para academy, and how the 2023 Europeans is likely to be used to develop combinations with future championships in mind.

She stressed that British Equestrian always wants to hear from owners and sellers of prospective para horses. The type of horse needed varies between grades, and between riders, so a horse that may not suit one para rider may well suit another.

Sophie Christiansen and Erin both echoed the points raised.

“We pushed the boundary with horses in 2012 – nobody had seen a horse walk like Rio [Janerio 6],” Sophie told H&H. “That’s why we broke the world record. It was, ‘Wow, that’s the calibre of horse paras can ride.’ Now, all the other countries have caught up. You would see some amazing horses with riders that maybe weren’t [at that level], or amazing riders with lesser horses. Now, there’s talented riders on talented horses with big financial backing from their country and equestrian community.”

She added that British sport needs to attract investment, in particular for horsepower, if it is to avoid becoming elitist.

Both riders also touched on areas where the sport could improve globally, from classification and grading, to enabling nations to send combinations in all five grades to European Championships.

“The other nations have always had nice horses,” Erin said to H&H. “Over the past few years, I think they’ve all massively upped their game with their riding and professionalism. We’ve gone from having a bit of breathing room to having none.

“It makes the sport interesting and more competitive. It pushes us to be better.”

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

‘There is no room for error now’: Erin Orford on what it takes to win a team world medal

‘You’d be taken to court in the real world’: para dressage rules spark discussion

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Paralympian Sophie Christiansen has paid tribute to her Tokyo-qualified ride Innuendo II, who has been put down following a bout of colic.

“Louie” became ill on Sunday (13 March) and was referred to a vet hospital but the 15-year-old gelding’s condition worsened.

Sophie told H&H the loss had been a “massive shock”.

“When I was told Louie was going into hospital I was already thinking about how to rehab him. I didn’t think things would go the way they did,” she said.

“He was such a character, everyone on the yard loved him. I do like my horses that are a bit cheeky, but he took his cheekiness to extremes.”

Sophie bought Louie from Olivia Pack in August 2019, and the pair were selected for the Tokyo Paralympics, but weeks before the Games he was ruled out owing to a veterinary issue.

“When I first tried Louie I was on holiday in Newquay and found his advert online and decided to go and see him,” she said.

“Olivia was riding him and I parked up beside the arena in my wheelchair. There was another horse in the school who freaked out at my wheelchair but Louie was like, ‘Yeah, and…?’ – and that’s the type of temperament I need in a horse.”

Sophie described Louie as an “elephant scared of a mouse” at times and said he did have the tendency to “spook at Pokemon”, but the pair had a good connection and a highlight was scoring plus 80% in a freestyle test in the run-up to Tokyo.

“I hadn’t broken the 80% barrier since 2016, so doing that really showed Louie’s potential. I was really sad not to go to Tokyo to showcase what his talent could be,” she said.

“It feels bittersweet that I never got to show off his full potential but he really taught me so much, in terms of how to ride a slightly spooky horse and how to get the most out of a horse. He wasn’t the sassiest, but he was good, solid and dependable, so it was up to me to squeeze every mark out. He really did wonders for my riding.”

Olivia owned Louie for seven years before selling him to Sophie. The pair competed up to medium level, and competed at the British Dressage Winter Championships at elementary in 2019.

Olivia told H&H she had to sell Louie after putting a deposit down on a house but got a surprise when Sophie’s assistant emailed her.

“I met Sophie at the nationals in 2012 just after the Paralympics and had my photo taken with her and remember being a complete fan girl. So when her assistant contacted me about Louie I actually thought it was a scam at first,” she said.

“Sophie tried Louie, and she wanted to see him again but I was working shifts at the time and said ‘I trust him enough, so if you want to go up and treat him as your own that’s absolutely fine’. She spent a couple of days with him, and said he was great. He had never had a para rider on him and he just took everything in his stride.”

Olivia said when she heard Sophie and Louie had qualified for Tokyo she “burst out crying”.

“I was so proud,” she said. “When I first got him I couldn’t even walk around off the lunge on him, and then he qualified for the Paralympics. It was just crazy.”

Olivia said she has had a difficult few weeks after her grandfather recently died, then Sophie contacted her to tell her about Louie.

“My grandad used to come to all of my competitions with Louie, he was so proud of us. It’s comforting knowing they are up there together now,” she said. “I know Louie can rest peacefully knowing he made an impact on so many people.”

You might also be interested in:

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

Finding a Paris 2024 horse, spiralling costs and implications for future of the sport

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen has voiced concerns over what increasing financial pressures on riders mean for the future of the sport.

The grade I rider, who is searching for her Paris 2024 gold medal contender, spoke to H&H to share the challenges she – and others – are facing.

The standard of horses and competition continues to rise, but prize money remains low, and attracting owners continues to be challenging.

“We have been strong in grade I for so long, with Anne Dunham and me, and now I just don’t know how any grade I is going to be able to afford the horsepower required without taking owners,” said Sophie.

“I’m concerned about what the future of para dressage is – if riders have to find that kind of money, we will become elitist.”

“Able-bodied riders and riders in the higher grades can ride for owners. Owners want to see their horses going up the able-bodied levels, which I can’t do. So we struggle getting owners in the lower grades, which makes it even more important to be able to buy your own horse.”

Athletes’ funding is linked to results. While Sophie works part-time as well, the reality is that without winning medals, that funding will drop.

Prize money in international para dressage typically lags far behind the able-bodied Olympic disciplines, and is not mandated in FEI rules in the same way.

There were renewed calls from members of the British squad at Tokyo for major shows to include para sport as part of their programmes, with riders highlighting the need to attract owners and raise awareness of what the sport is about.

At the FEI para dressage forum, proposals for para World Cup and Nations Cup series were shared, with hopes these could boost the sport.

Sophie said while she welcomes the suggestions, the financial side continues to pose a challenge.

“My first thought was ‘this is amazing’. However, we have no prize money,” she said. “In order to go to these competitions, athletes have to fund it themselves. We are lucky in Britain that UK Sport can help. But I still have to pay my staff, I need my trainer and my carer.”

Sophie added that the qualities horses need are “so specific” for each grade and while she competes in walk, her horses are trained to advanced medium level.

“The standard in Tokyo was extremely high, especially in grade I where you just have one pace, so the walk has to be just phenomenal,” she said, adding that she watched and applauded from afar.

“That’s why it is always helpful to get a horse with a bit of experience in able-bodied, although that obviously puts the prices up.

“We are talking about a walk that in able-bodied tests would score a 10 every time. Within the walk, it has to be really consistent, regular rhythm, consistent in frame and obviously temperament is key. Because of my disability, I’m not always quick enough to reassure my horses, so they have to be really brave and know their job.

“Quite often, people think bombproof means lazy. They have to be forward thinking as well, as my legs aren’t strong enough to keep them going. Good para horses are horses that have a great work ethic, will really try and are forward thinking, but maybe don’t have the ability or confirmation to go all the way to grand prix.”

She added she is looking to buy, or would “love” to ride for an owner, and is ultimately looking for a competition horse, with the aforementioned qualities, who has presence in the arena.

“I want to put myself in a position where I know I can win gold in Paris,” she said.

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Major shows urged to help para riders win medals in Paris 2024

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

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A “true unicorn” who made medal-winning dreams come true and launched multiple riders’ careers has died aged 28.

Lambrusco III was put down on Monday (1 November) after a long and distinguished career in which he won numerous medals under several riders and served as a schoolmaster to countless others.

The son of Uniform was imported from the Netherlands as a young horse and competed up to prix st georges before he was spotted and bought by the late Jane Goldsmith in 2003. Jane was co-founder of the Para Dressage Training Trust, set up to provide developing para riders with horses until they were able to secure their own sponsorship.

“Brusco” was ridden by Deb Criddle, then Ricky Balshaw took over his reins and competed at the 2003 World Championships. Anne Dunham also had the ride for a time and it was with the late Jo Pitt that the horse won his first championship medal, a silver at the 2005 Europeans.

He joined the South Buckinghamshire branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) in 2007, and that same year impressed with Rory Williams at the World Championships at Hartpury, under the watchful eye of trainer Clive Milkins.

The rules at the time meant that Rory and Brusco were riding in that grade for experience only, but had their scores counted, they would have won gold.

In 2008, he gave Sophie Christiansen her first taste of Paralympic victory, winning both team and freestyle gold medals and taking individual silver at the Beijing Games in Hong Kong.

“If a horse could define para dressage, it would be Lambrusco,” said Sophie, who also won team and individual gold with Brusco at the 2009 Europeans.

“Not only did he enable me to fulfil my lifelong dream, but he took many others to championship level: Ricky Balshaw, Anne Dunham, Jo Pitt, Rory Williams and many others.

“But it was the riders he helped at a lower level which was truly astounding, taking even more to national championships and internationals, including Mari Durward-Akhurst and Michael Murphy. He was a schoolmaster to countless others at South Bucks RDA and seeing riders’ eyes light up saying ‘I’ve just sat on a gold medallist’ was a joy to behold.

“There will never be another horse like him, and thank you just doesn’t seem enough for Clive Milkins and myself – he made our careers. A true unicorn.”

He retired from overseas internationals after his double gold medal-winning performance at the Norway Europeans in 2009, continuing to compete in home CPEDIs with multiple riders.

Mari Durward-Akhurst, Susanna Wade, Michael Murphy and Alex Sutton all enjoyed international results with the grey superstar on British soil.

“There will never be another horse like Brusco, he will never be replaced,” said Clive, who was stable manager and head coach at South Bucks RDA for 21 years.

“He started my career, I travelled all over the world with him, and he was a schoolmaster who taught me how to care for an international horse properly.

“He was the ultimate professional. I don’t think he was easy as a youngster but from the moment he was a para horse, he got on with his job. He was a noble, regal horse and in any given situation, he simply assessed it and coped.

“He will be remembered for the medals, but also so much more.”

Through his senior years, Brusco continued to bring joy to countless riders at his South Bucks RDA home.

In 2018, he won the RDA Dressage Anywhere grade I championship with a 60-year-old stroke survivor and was also named RDA horse of the year.

“A standout memory for me is his Lord of the Rings freestyle under the floodlights in Hong Kong (Beijing 2008),” added Clive.

“It was such a huge atmosphere yet he just glanced at me, said ‘I got this, Dad!’ and kept on walking. From a team point of view and a coaching point of view, you knew he was going to produce. He was a horse that did the exact opposite of showing a rider’s weaknesses.

“He was the horse of a lifetime and a horse that touched the lives of so many people. Kids doing therapy sessions would go home saying, ‘I’ve ridden a Paralympic champion!’.

“He only recently retired from therapeutic riding and was still being ridden until a couple of weeks ago. The care and support under Di Redfern at South Bucks RDA has been phenomenal.

“Thank you my friend, rest easy. Your legacy will not be forgotten.”

You might also be interested in:

‘After Rio, I decided either to retire or start afresh’: Paralympian Sophie Christiansen on legacies and starting again with a new team

She has eight Paralympic gold medals, so what fires the para star up for more? Martha Terry talks to Sophie

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Para riders call for major change on support for disabled people

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A Paralympic dressage rider has called on the Government to do more for disabled individuals outside of sport.

Multiple gold-medal winning para dressage rider Sophie Christiansen, who works in London as a software developer and was selected for the Tokyo Games but ruled out by her ride Innuendo III suffering a “minor veterinary issue”, told H&H that although the current WeThe15 campaign, led by the International Paralympic Committee and the International Disability Alliance to initiate change for the world’s largest marginalised group, is “a good start”, she believes more could be done by the UK Government and businesses, such as employing disability officers in workplaces.

“We need to change the perception that if you’re disabled you want to be a Paralympian; not everyone wants to be an elite athlete and I think we need to focus away from sport,” she said.

“I want the Government to start enforcing the Equality Act. Businesses need to educate themselves on what would make them more accessible, from installing a ramp in a shop to using captions on videos on websites for deaf customers. I’ve gone to companies asking for change and sometimes they don’t even realise that they had a step to get in that I couldn’t get my wheelchair up. It’s about educating people on these simple things.

“There has been some amazing coverage around the Paralympic Games. While it means more people know about the Paralympics, it’s not being moved into actual changes for disabled people. We watch the amazing athletes doing incredible things, but that’s not enough. We need to celebrate these athletes and think about what we can do to make their lives better, whether it’s writing to your manager or chief executive to ask ‘is our workplace or shop accessible?’ and really highlighting the things your management won’t have thought about.”

FEI secretary general and president of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations Sabrina Ibáñez welcomed the WeThe15 campaign, which aims for better accessibility and inclusion.

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

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

Jemima Croft, who is studying for a degree in equine science and management at Myerscough College, told H&H she agrees with Sophie that more needs to be done to support disabled people in the workplace.

“After the 2012 Paralympics took place there was a lot of talk about disabilities and the whole country rallied behind it, but very quickly after it just levelled off. In the 10 years I’ve been disabled I haven’t seen a change,” she said. “The WeThe15 campaign is brilliant in the sense that it is promoting solidarity and raising awareness but not everyone is a Paralympian. We need to address the fact that there are disabled people who aren’t superheroes, they’re ordinary people who want to have a job, go to work and have that accessibility.

“I’ve had to fight to get an education, let alone a job. As a society we need to get rid of the system barriers that are preventing disabled people reaching their full potential, particularly in the workplace.

“I have to do things other people wouldn’t have to consider and really jump at every opportunity to add to my CV because I can’t just go to a job interview and say, ‘I can work with horses, give me a job’ – employers will say, ‘Well, you’re in a wheelchair.’ I need to have that evidence on my CV that I can do the things I say I can as an employer won’t just take my word for it.”

In July the Government launched the National Disability Strategy, which sets out actions the Government will take to improve the everyday lives of all disabled people, including easier commuting and better job prospects.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said although progress has been made in some areas, such as more housing becoming accessible, “we can and must do better”.

“Which is what this strategy is all about,” he said. “It sees departments and agencies in every corner of Government setting out how they will do their bit to bring about the practical and lasting change that will make a material difference to the lives of disabled people across our country.”

Kamran Mallick, chief executive of charity Disability Rights UK, said the strategy is “disappointingly thin” on immediate actions, medium-term plans and details of longer term investment.

“The strategy has insufficient concrete measures to address the current inequalities that disabled people experience in living standards and life chances,” he said. “While we welcome the Government’s recognition that disabled people are less likely than non-disabled people to have a job, qualifications, own a home or live in an accessible home, we haven’t been given the bold plans that will fix these huge issues.”.

You might also be interested in:

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Everything you need to know about para dressage at the Paralympics

Daily weigh-ins and blood tests, 50 vets and a state-of-the-art facility: inside the Tokyo Olympics vet clinic

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British Paralympic dressage team for next month’s Tokyo Games has been announced.

Four combinations have been selected, with three to compete as the British team and one to ride as an individual, which will be decided after arrival in Tokyo. The four selected pairs are:

• Sophie Wells with Charlotte Hogg’s 14-year-old gelding C Fatal Attraction (grade V)
• Natasha Baker with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, Phil Baker and her own 10-year-old mare Keystone Dawn Chorus (grade III)
• Sir Lee Pearson with his own nine-year-old gelding Breezer (grade II)
• Sophie Christiansen with her own 13-year-old gelding Innuendo III (grade I)

Liz Walsh and Jade Lockwood will act as travelling grooms for the horses in Tokyo.

The Paralympic dressage competitions are being held 26-30 August 2021 at the equestrian park in Tokyo’s Heritage Zone. The team medals will be decided on 29 August, and the individual medals in each of the five grades will be presented on 26, 27 and 30 August.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Everything you need to know about para dressage at the Paralympics

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

Defiantly titled I Am Who I Am, is a fascinating account of a life and career riddled with adversity, yet

Medal-winning rider selected to swim at Tokyo: ‘riding helped me believe in myself again’

Flying changes without legs — find out how this top para rider does it

Flying changes are a challenge to master at the best of times, but what about when you don’t have legs?

Paralympic coach Clive Milkins: ‘Those who can adapt will thrive’ *H&H Plus*

Britain will head to Tokyo as defending Paralympic champions, with all four riders on the 2021 British Paralympic dressage team having competed for Britain at Rio in 2016, and also at London in 2012.

Britain has won gold at every Paralympics since para dressage was introduced to the Games at Atlanta in 1996, but the team was relegated to the silver medal position at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and the European Championships in 2019. The Netherlands won the gold medal on both these occasions.

Three of the four team horses will be making their debut championship appearances: Natasha’s Keystone Dawn Chorus, Lee’s Breezer and Sophie Christiansen’s Innuendo. This will be a fifth championship appearance for Sophie Wells’ ride, the 14-year-old C Fatal Attraction, who won double individual gold at WEG in 2018, but it will be his first Paralympic Games.

Lee is the most experienced Paralympian of the quartet – Tokyo will be his sixth Games. This will be the fifth Games for Sophie Christiansen, and the third Games for both Natasha and Sophie Wells.

• What is dressage at the Paralympics?

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

Grade I

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

Grade II

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

Grade III

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

Grade IV

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

Grade V

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

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

Continues below…

Nine named as Britain’s nominated dressage entries for Tokyo Olympics

Olympic dressage teams: who’s heading to Tokyo?

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

The British Olympic dressage entries were announced earlier this week.

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

She has eight Paralympic gold medals, so what fires the para star up for more? Martha Terry talks to Sophie Christiansen about building a legacy and starting afresh

Sophie Christiansen spent much of lockdown itching to get back into the saddle. The para dressage star should have been using the past few months to ramp up her training for her fifth consecutive Paralympics, but plans have been on hold.

“This was the longest I hadn’t ridden for a very long while,” says Sophie, 32, who has been riding since the age of six as physiotherapy for her quadriplegic cerebral palsy. “I was really missing the horses.”

While the coronavirus crisis has played havoc with many people’s riding logistics, elite riders have largely been able to train at home as normal. But, until late June, Sophie had been grounded since February when, soon after winning the para winter championships on Innuendo III, he “was so pleased with himself for being national champion, he had a full-on bronking fit”. Sophie fell off and broke her shoulder. The ensuing lockdown meant Sophie had to wait even longer to get back on board, because her grade I disability means she needs three people to help her get on.

“That proved impossible until just a few days ago because of social distancing,” says Sophie, as we chat virtually over her breakfast of yogurt and berries after a strength and conditioning session.

Although Sophie is technically classed as vulnerable to Covid-19, she brushes off any personal concerns. “You have to stick to the rules, but I’m not worried for myself because I’m fitter than most; I’m more worried about my trainer [Anna Miller] catching it as then I’d need to find someone else to exercise my horses,” says Sophie, whose horses need more work and variety than she is able to give them due to the fact that she only walks in grade I tests. “I feel like my trainer needs shielding, not me.”

This defiant, spirited attitude epitomises Sophie, who has surmounted her debilitating disease and the consequent obstacles of everyday life, not just to scale the heights of Paralympic sport but also hold a job as software engineer with premier investment banking firm Goldman Sachs. She commutes into London in a wheelchair and finds herself “sometimes stranded on the train because no one has come to help with a ramp”.

A work/life balance

Sophie thrives on this work/life balance. Besides needing the income to fund her sport, this is the way she’s always operated. “I balanced doing my GCSEs with my first Paralympics in Athens 2004,” she says. “I have to work to earn money, but I’ve always had that balance. Many people don’t understand it, but I find working at Goldman Sachs is a relief when sport gets stressful, and the opposite works too. I hate it when people say, ‘You’re lucky’ – I work damn hard!”

With eight Paralympic gold medals hanging in her trophy cabinet, it must be hard to fire up motivation for yet more gongs when anything but gold would be a disappointment to her fiercely competitive nature.

“I’m used to coming back from a championship with a gold medal,” she says. “I can’t go anywhere from here, so it’s now about making a difference to other people, which diverts pressure from me and my need to win.

“I do have that need to win at all costs,” she admits. “But I’m working hard with my psychologist about making it more about the process than the outcome.”

This Paralympic cycle, by Sophie’s own admission, has been a torturous one. Following Rio, she lost her top ride, Athene Lindebjerg, when she upped sticks from her previous long-term base, and starting again hasn’t been straightforward. She’s contemplated retirement, struggled with new horses, yet focusing on Tokyo 2020 kept her striving forwards. I suggest the postponement may be to her advantage, giving her more time to regroup. But for a Paralympian like Sophie, the status of the Games supersedes everything.

“When I first heard the Games were postponed, I was really upset because that never happens,” she says. “As a Paralympic athlete, you’re always working for that one day you’re going down the centre line. For that to be taken away was upsetting.

“I also felt guilty because I was upset about a little sporting event when the coronavirus crisis is a matter of life and death. Then I realised it was a good thing for me, and the rest of the British team, to have another year. I do believe we would have had a good chance of gold this year, but we’ll be even stronger next.”

A glorious triumph

Rewind to Rio, when Sophie returned home in glorious triumph having bagged another golden hat-trick. But underneath the lustre and her beaming smile, Sophie’s own invincible aura was falling apart.

“I didn’t have a good year for Rio, even though I won three gold medals,” she says. “I was deeply unhappy. I felt my team weren’t in my corner, which is so important. So after Rio, I decided either to retire or start afresh.

“I decided I wasn’t ready to retire. Elite sport is like a rollercoaster with such extreme highs and lows, and I’m quite frankly terrified of having a normal life! Will it be boring just going to work? I love my job in the City, but I know I can make a massive difference by having the platform I have as an elite athlete.”

Cutting ties with that team also meant saying goodbye to fabulous Athene Lindebjerg, “the most talented horse I’ve ever ridden”.

“I loved that horse, but the situation I was in was making me ill and I still haven’t got my confidence back,” she says. “I view my time with Athene with rose-tinted spectacles – she maybe made me a worse rider because I knew every time I went into an arena, she’d win!”

Sophie started anew at Anna Miller’s yard in Surrey in 2018 with a chestnut gelding, Amazing Romance (Harry), but the partnership’s early promise disintegrated when Harry learnt “he could get away with things”.

“He was spooky and started going backwards and sideways – he needed an able-bodied rider to help him,” says Sophie. “It was a really difficult decision because it was the first horse I’d had who had done that with me. It knocked my confidence to the extent I felt I couldn’t ride any more. I had this new team and they didn’t know what I was capable of.”

With Sophie’s background in the Riding for the Disabled Association, she’s well used to riding all sorts of types and has piloted four different horses at each of her four Games.

“That’s why I was so upset about Harry, because I can ride different horses,” she says. “It was heartbreaking as he was talented enough, but I couldn’t get through a test by the end.”

After a fraught few months trying unsuitable, over-priced or unsound horses, Sophie eventually found Die Furstin (Stella) through Froxfield Stud. Although the Dankeschoen chestnut mare was younger than Sophie wanted, she ticked every other box.

“I tried her in a storm and I trust her completely – it’s all about temperament,” she explains.

As Stella is only eight, Sophie wanted a more experienced horse to campaign alongside for Tokyo – enter Innuendo III (Louie), a 13-year-old by Last Minute she found while on holiday in Newquay with her “very patient” boyfriend, Peter.

“Louie’s not my normal sort – he’s not flashy but he’s nice, steady and reliable,” says Sophie of the 17hh gelding. “Stella is my risk horse, while Louie’s solid. He’ll give me confidence again and he’s more than ready for a championship, though both horses need work.”

Sophie is well aware the tussle for Paralympic slots is ever more competitive. “The standard of grade I now is much higher than it was even in Rio,” she says. “Athene was phenomenal. My current horses aren’t as talented, but they enable me to showcase my abilities as a rider. That’s what dressage is all about, getting the most out of your horse as a rider.”

Raising the profile

Sophie talks frequently about her “legacy” and using her “platform as a disabled elite athlete” – this has been a trigger in her reinvigorated career post-Rio.

“Because of my life balance, I can be a gold-medal winning Paralympian talking about having a normal life as a disabled person,” she says. “I can talk about how hard it is to get on a train. If I retire, I won’t have that platform. It’s less about me and more about how I can help the wider disabled community.”

She’s working hard on raising the profile of para dressage and disability in general and has set up a “gold club” to showcase the sport, inviting members to shows, giving tips and trying to generate more income.

“Funding is a massive thing for para riders because we can’t earn through our riding,” she says. “I have to buy my own horses because there are no owners – and then I have to pay someone else to ride my horses as I can’t do more than walk. It costs me £1,400 a month per horse. People assume riders are rich, but I have to work to be able to ride – and I feel a responsibility to improve this.”

Although the 10,000-strong crowds at London 2012, chanting Sophie’s name, proved there was an appetite for the sport, Sophie believes it has made the financial side tougher.

“More riders have got into para, so the calibre has gone up and we need more expensive horses,” she says. “That’s great, but there’s no more money.

“The owners just aren’t out there and this affects the lower grades so much. Who wants their horse to be the best walk-horse in the world? It needs a whole mind-shift for owners to want to be involved in this amazing journey, rather than having the most spectacular dressage horse.”

Four Paralympics before hitting 30 is indeed an amazing feat. Sophie’s enforced hiatus is finally over and the clock is ticking down to number five.

First published in Horse & Hound; 9 July 2020

Tributes and a final farewell have been paid to a horse who won triple Paralympic and European and double World Championship gold for Great Britain.

Sophie Christiansen’s London 2012 superstar Janeiro 6 (Rio) has been put down aged 23. The combination finished in the top three in every international competition they contested, taking the freestyle in London with 84.75%, their personal best.

Rio was bought from Ferdi Eilberg, who had won the advanced medium national championship on him.

Sophie’s coach Clive Milkins said he “snuck off to ride him without anyone knowing”.

“The first time I sat on him, I knew he would win golds in London,” he said.

Rio went to Sophie in May 2011.

“The rest is history,” Clive said. “The 30 international classes. Triple Paralympic, European and double gold at [the 2014 World Equestrian Games], only beaten because he was tired after a very late night session in the doping box the night before. The highest score at a Paralympics. Sophie’s personal best, and a record not yet beaten.”

After his retirement in 2017, Rio became a schoolmaster for young para riders, cared for by Jo Alderton-Whitwoth and Jane Alderton, competing at the Riding for the Disabled Association national championships, and winning there in 2018.

“He was treated like a king by Jo – he had his harem of donkeys, pigs and even on his last day, he was rearing and yelling when his girlfriend was taken out of sight,” Clive said.

“He was a tough old goat with a sense of humour. Virtually impossible to hack out without coming home alone, he allowed you to ride him and if you picked up a whip he would remind you that he knew his job.

“He adored Sophie and loved dancing with her. In the stables, he was my buddy.”

Sophie told H&H she was delighted her partner had gone on to give young people the experience of riding a Paralympic champion – one who had originally been her back-up horse for London.

“When my top horse had to be put down, he had to step up,” she said. “He took it all on board really well.

“He taught me about trusting. I had to be in the right mindset to ride him but once I’d learned that, and to relax, our scores were phenomenal.”

Sophie said London 2012 was an “unbelievable” experience, and she trusted Rio implicitly.

“He was my favourite of the horses I’ve ridden, because of his personality,” she said. “I prefer them to have a bit of something and he was cheeky. My balance isn’t the best but he knew that, and he looked after me.”

Sophie said Rio loved cuddles – even from her non-horsey boyfriend – and described him as “my best friend”.

“Gone, but never forgotten,” she said. “He’s up there with Britain’s greatest horses. Not many horses have done what he did.”

Clive said he always had faith in Rio, and confidence he would do the job.

“In the arena, he knew he had to walk – and what a walk,” he said. “Big, powerful and like a panther; if you rode him on the buckle end, you would feel seasick with the trunk rotation. His temperament made him a great team horse, with a guaranteed high score as well as that extra something that made him a top individual.

“Who will ever forget Sophie’s freestyle in London? It was more like the last night of the proms, with Land of Hope and Glory, the Shakespeare quotes and the Union Flags; a totally unique British way of winning a dressage gold medal.

Continues below…

Farewell to Olympic medal-winner and ‘horse of a lifetime’

‘I will always be grateful for everything he did for me’

Sophie Christiansen targets Tokyo Olympics with exciting new horse

The multi-medalled Paralympian looks set to return to competition with a new ride

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

“So many people contributed to Rio and Sophie’s success. From Jane [Goldsmith] for finding him, to Michel Assouline for keeping us all trained up for peak performance on any given day, to the whole of Team GBR for their constant health and welfare support, and to both South Bucks RDA and Ride to Achieve, who kept him in the best of health the whole time I cared for him.

“Many will say he was just a horse, but for me he was such an important part of Sophie’s dream team, he was my confidante, my team manager, and at many times my best friend as we shared so many journeys, and times together.

“If he was just a horse, what a horse – what a legacy.”

Would you like to read Horse & Hound’s independent journalism without any adverts? Join Horse & Hound Plus today and you can read all articles on HorseandHound.co.uk completely ad-free

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

H&H 14 November 2019

You might also be interested in…

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

‘I really loved a crowd getting behind me and there was a really good atmosphere, it gave me that boost

Golden hat-trick for Britain on final day of Paralympic dressage

The Brits add three freestyle gold medals and two silvers to their haul on the final day of Paralympic dressage

Polly Bryan’s WEG blog: why para dressage is the dream sport

Why H&H’s dressage editor thinks para dressage is such an underrated sport

H&H Interview: Natasha Baker — ‘If we can do that after eight months, what can we do after 18?’

The multi-medalled Paralympic rider chats to Polly Bryan about the highs and lows of her comeback in Tryon and why

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen has taken on a new ride to campaign for Tokyo 2020.

Seven-year-old Westfalian Die Furstin was sourced through Froxfield Dressage Sales, following an eight-month search for the right horse.

The 31-year-old grade I rider said she felt like she had been “looking for ever” before finding the 16.2hh Dankeschon x Furst Picolo mare.

“It’s very much different to 10 years ago now — it’s even harder to find a horse and more expensive,” said Sophie, who requires a forward-going horse with an excellent walk and a level temperament.

“I think a lot of people are unsure of what I need. When I called Froxfield after seeing Stella advertised, they said ‘we don’t know if she’s completely bombproof as she’s only seven’, but I had fallen in love with her and went to see her anyway.

“I went to try her during Storm Gareth and the indoor arena was so noisy, I was absolutely terrified but she didn’t bat an eyelid, she knew her job and made me feel so safe.”

After a second ride at her own yard, Sophie decided the chestnut mare was the right candidate.

“They offered to bring her to my yard for me to see her away from home, which they didn’t have to do, but because I’m a para rider, I think they wanted to make sure it was the right horse. She didn’t put a foot wrong even though they were cutting down an enormous tree around us and my trainer said ‘if you don’t buy this horse, I’m never speaking to you again!’” she said.

Sophie added that she would be taking it slowly with Stella this year owing to the mare’s age.

“Hopefully we’ll do a small competition at Bishop Burton in August, just low-pressure outings for now, but next year I have definitely got Tokyo in my sights with her,” she said. “She’s qualified for regionals at novice and elementary this year and I want my trainer to take her to those, as able-bodied dressage is a lot more atmospheric and I’d like her to experience it.”

Sophie has been a member of the British para squad since she was 16 and is a veteran of four Olympics, winning a bronze in Athens, a silver and two golds in Beijing and triple gold at both London 2012 and Rio 2016.

After her Rio ride Athene went back to her owner, she bought 17.2hh “Harry” (Amazing Romance) with Tokyo in mind, but has now put the 10-year-old gelding up for sale.

“It’s heartbreaking, but he didn’t want to be a para horse. There are certain horses that can’t stay quiet for 25 minutes of walk. He’s safe, or I wouldn’t be able to ride him, but he just didn’t have the consistency I need,” Sophie said.

Continues below…

Six-time Badminton winner offers fans a £2,000 supporters’ deal

‘Ferocious determination to succeed’ earns Sophie Christiansen coverted award

The triple Paralympic gold medallist came out on top in the sport category of the 2015 awards

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

“He’s a lovely horse and can do all the tricks for prix st georges — a lot of people don’t realise, but we do work the horses at home to at least medium level to keep them supple.”

Sophie said that subject to Harry’s sale, she would also be looking for a back-up ride for next year’s Games.

“My plan is always to go in to a Paralympic games year with two horses to campaign, so I would like to find another horse, preferably an older one,” she said.

“If there are any people who have a suitable horse and want to become a para owner, that would be great — we really need to bring more owners into the sport or we will get to the point where we won’t be able to afford to do it any more.”

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A gold-medal winning Paralympian is trying to change the way funding is raised and support up-and-coming riders by launching a membership club.

Dressage rider Sophie Christiansen has launched Sophie’s Gold Club which allows people to join for an annual fee of £25 in return for benefits.

Sophie told H&H: “I got the idea from racing, and some of the eventers like William Fox-Pitt have membership clubs. We’re not generating enough sponsorship in para dressage so I thought we need a different way of securing more funding and I thought this might be a good way to go about it. It’s much more than people just donating money, they get something in return.

“Crowdfunding is an amazing platform and works well for some people but it is getting so saturated at the moment and you really need to think outside the box now about how we fundraise. I have a GoFundMe page, but this membership is for people who want to be part of my journey – it’s to cover my costs of being a para athlete but also to encourage people to get involved.

“This is different from crowdfunding — it’s about getting a new group of fans into the sport and closer to the action, which will only be a good thing.”

Members of Sophie’s Gold Club will receive a welcome pack, discounts from Sophie’s sponsors BMW, Equilibrium products and Kate Negus Saddlery, access to a private members-only Facebook group with Sophie where she will share her exclusive news and tips, and the opportunity to win raffle prizes throughout the year.

“Our first raffle prize is four tickets and a backstage pass to Olympia London International Horse Show on the Tuesday this year. The raffle will be drawn on 25 October,” said Sophie.

If Sophie’s club is successful she hopes to offer grants to up-and-coming para dressage riders and share the model of her club to other para riders who want to raise funding.

“I’m worried about the future generation and how are they going to fund getting to Paralympic level and afford horses so I think this is a really innovative way to increase funding for them. I’m really open to sharing how I came up with this to anyone interested in starting their own membership club because it was a lot of hard work,” said Sophie.

The club will also offer a limited premium membership similar to sponsorship aimed at individuals, corporate clients and businesses for a fee of £15,000 with benefits including access to Team GB para squad training days, invitation to team selection trials and the opportunity for Sophie to give speaking engagements.

“The premium membership is in order to help me fundraise my journey to winning more gold medals, but also to allow me to help others, top up their pots and give out grants to the up-and-coming riders,” said Sophie. “It’s quite daunting — I really want this to work in order to help other people, to inspire them and to help fund them to go and win gold. I just think this could be a really good way to make the sport sustainable.

Sophie Christiansen: WEG para dressage — this should be a wake-up call *H&H VIP*

Horse & Hound's guest para dressage columnist isn’t too surprised by the Netherlands snatching gold

Tokyo 2020 contender receives ‘game-changing’ donation

The rider has received a donation to her crowdfunding campaign in her bid to compete at Tokyo 2020

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

“It’s scary launching something when you’re not very sure how its going to be received – I really hope people get on board.”

Sophie said without further funding she is concerned about her future in the sport.

“We have to think about innovative ways to fund our sport. If I don’t raise enough money I wont be able to continue competing for Great Britain but saying that, I want people to join the club because I want them to be part of the sport.”

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A former ride of Paralympian Sophie Christiansen has been named Riding for the Disabled (RDA) horse of the year at the annual RDA awards.

Lambrusco, a 25-year-old 16.2 grey warmblood gelding based at the South Buckinghamshire RDA centre, is owned by the Para Dressage Training Trust and was nominated along with 27 other horses for the award.

Helen Burt, yard manager at South Buckinghamshire RDA told H&H: “The reason for nominating Lambrusco as RDA horse of the year is down to his ability to still help riders achieve their dreams even at the age of 25.”

Lambrusco joined the centre in January 2007. The following year, he represented Britain at the Beijing Paralympic Games with Sophie, winning team and individual gold medals and an individual silver.

“Since then he has given so much pleasure to several other riders who have gone on to compete him successfully at various different events,” said Helen. “He has been lent to two riders from other RDA groups who were delighted to have the opportunity to compete him.

“He is a wonderful horse who just keeps giving and helped one of our riders, Susan Wintour, to win the RDA Dressage Anywhere grade 1 championship with a score of 77.94%. We couldn’t do without horses like Lambrusco, who are genuine and kind, enabling us to continue realising dreams.”

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Sophie Christiansen, British paradressage rider

British dressage team chosen for Beijing Paralympic Games

Youth and experience combine in Britain's team for the Beijing Paralympic Games, who are aiming to top the medal table

Susan Wintour told H&H: “It has been a privilege to ride such a great horse for the last five years. He is a horse in a million, a joy to ride, sensitive to the slightest aid, and a champion till the end of his competing life.”

Lambrusco is still actively involved at the centre being used weekly by riders. He works on the lead rein and in private walk sessions with independent riders.

Award panel judge and equine coordinator for RDA UK Lottie Hansford said: “Lambrusco has achieved and given so much to RDA riders. He is a true star to be able to cater for riders aged from eight to 75 – you have to be something special. It was only right to give him this award.”

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Paralympic multi-medallist Sophie Christiansen has made the decision to withdraw from World Equestrian Games (WEG) team selection with her nine-year-old gelding Amazing Romance (Harry).

Grade I rider Sophie and Harry were shortlisted for WEG, but yesterday (20 July) Sophie announced she wanted to give herself more time to develop her partnership with the Danish warmblood, who she has only had since last autumn.

“Harry and I need more time to develop our partnership so we both have the confidence to go into such a big, atmospheric competition. I know this is the right decision for Harry for the long term,” said Sophie.

“A statement that I hear time and time again from people, because of my track record, is ‘But of course you’ll go to [insert location of the next Paralympics here]!’ The fact of the matter is anything could happen in sport, especially equestrian sport, when you are working with another living being who can’t talk to you.”

The pair have had plenty of success in their first months together, with a high-scoring triple victory at the Deauville CPEDI3* in April, but they had a tricky time at the Hartpury CPEDI this month.

They topped the team test despite the fact Harry broke into trot in the walk-only test, but finished down the order in the individual after several moments of resistance, and the issues continued into their freestyle.

“Every test is a learning experience for both of us. It’s safe to say that Harry has given us some new things to focus on in training,” Sophie told H&H at the time.

Having taken a year out of competition after winning triple gold at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, Sophie returned to the sport with not just a new horse in Harry, but a whole new team, including trainer Rob Trowbridge.

Continues below…

‘Heart-wrenching’ final goodbye to Welsh cob who beat the world

‘He was a horse no one expected anything from, but he gave everything’

Sophie Christiansen targets Tokyo Olympics with exciting new horse

The multi-medalled Paralympian looks set to return to competition with a new ride

Tales from Rio: ‘We used to draw our Paralympic horses out of a hat’

Meet Anne Dunham, the oldest athlete at the Rio Games who remembers competing on borrowed horses at the inaugural Paralympic

“I am so incredibly proud of my team for, in less than a year, helping me make the championship short-list again. It’s been a bumpy few months but together we’re moving forward stronger,” she said.

Sophie is now on the hunt for a second horse to compete next year, and to aim towards the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British para dressage shortlist for this September’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) contains a mix of old names and new faces — there are so many riders deserving of a place on the team this year that it’s very hard to predict who will be selected to make up the team of four.

I would extremely surprised if Sophie Wells was not called up to make her 12th team appearance for Britain. She had her double 2017 European champion, Charlotte Hogg’s 11-year-old C Fatal Attraction, on super form at the Harpury CPEDI3* last week — a crucial show for riders and selectors.

Sophie, 28, had her first taste of being the most experienced team member in Gothenburg last year, and she rose to it superbly, leading the all-female squad to team gold once more and following it up with an individual gold and silver in grade V ranks.

Natasha Baker is the other rider I fully expect to make the team. With Emma Blundell’s sparky chestnut mare, Mount St John Diva Dannebrog (pictured top), Natasha has stormed back to the top of grade III after a year out of competition. She and Diva have barely been beaten since teaming up in January, producing consistent mid-70s scores that will prove invaluable as Britain vie to continue their unbeaten streak in increasingly competitive company.

Last year was something of a transition year for para dressage, as major players such as Natasha, Lee Pearson and Sophie Christiansen took a year out after Rio. But the combinations who stepped up to fill their shoes in Gothenburg did so extremely successfully and, for the most part, are back in contention this year alongside the more established names, meaning it’s tough to predict who might take the final two team spots.

One of those who made her championship debut last year was Suzanna Hext, coming home from Sweden with triple gold. Her medal-winning partner, the Hutton family’s legendary now-18-year-old gelding Abira, is currently out with an injury, but the 13-year-old LJT Enggaards Solitaire has stepped up to the plate this year. The Blue Hors Soprano son is no stranger to the sport — he won medals for Britain at both the 2013 Europeans and the 2014 WEG under Ricky Balshaw — but has had some mixed results with Suz over the past few months, posting scores up to 77% before appearing to divide the judges at Hartpury with some staggering discrepencies. Suz has had the added challenge of adjusting to her new grade II tests, having been reclassified from a III, and this championship could come before the pair have really hit their best at the level. Then again, there’s everything to suggest they could peak in Tryon.

Erin Orford is another who helped Britain to gold last year, and also picked up individual bronze too, a super achievement having been called up from the reserve squad at the last minute with Annabel Whittet’s Dimaggio mare Dior. They’ve been on great form since, with a strong of scores in the 70s during 2018, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they had the chance to represent their country once again.

One of the most exciting horses in action at Hartpury was Lee Pearson’s young home-bred mare Styletta. The pair blitzed the grade II team and individual tests, though had to settle for second in the freestyle after the dainty daughter of Sandros Dancer reacted to the loud music with tension. The grade II section is always highly competitive but Lee is one of the most experienced para riders in the world and has such strong partnerships with his horses as, unlike many riders in his grade, he trains them himself. This talented mare could well be his ticket back onto the team.

Sophie Christiansen is another championship veteran back on the team shortlist after a year away from the sport. She has returned to the arena after a huge, brave life change, with a new horse in Amazing Romance (Harry) and a new trainer in Rob Trowbridge. While she and Harry have had some brilliant grade I results in their first year together, they’re still getting to know each other and it showed at Hartpury, the nine-year-old gelding making Sophie’s life quite tricky at times. At their best, this pair definitely have the potential to bring home the medals Sophie is used to, but the selectors look for consistency and reliability, and there’s a question mark over whether Harry will produce the goods in the highly pressurised setting of the World Games. He might need another year to be ready to show his best at a championship, but then again his other performances this year have been fantastic.

At the other end of the experience spectrum is the 17-year-old grade IV rider Izzy Palmer, who was listed as a reserve for Gothenburg with Sophie Wells’ Touchdown M. It should come as no surprise that Izzy is back on a team shortlist again this year — she and Touch were national champions in 2017 and winter champions earlier this year, before going on to win all three of their classes at Hartpury. Izzy, who is trained and mentored by Sophie Wells, rides with exceptional maturity, and could well be a solid team member if the selectors decide she is ready for the challenge.

Another grade IV rider you wouldn’t be a fool to take a punt on making her championship debut this year is blind rider Nicky Greenhill with the nine-year-old Benetton Dream mare Betty Boo. The pair have just a handful of results under their belt, and Hartpury was their first international together, but they are well capable of scores in the 70s as they showed last week. Nicky would be my outside choice for a spot.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

8 riders you need on your radar in 2018

Our experts pick the riders who have parachuted onto the Horse & Hound readers’ radar in 2017 and are worth

Georgia Wilson, 22, is the final rider to be listed, with her own Midnight Z. The pair, another trained by Sophie Wells, had a super week at Hartpury, banking a win, a second and a third, all with plus-70% in grade II ranks, and look to be serious future team contenders. My feeling is that next year’s Europeans is a more realistic target for them, but they are fully deserving of their place on this shortlist.

It’s a tough task, predicting the four combinations who will be selected to make the trip out to the USA in September but, crystal ball in hand, my choice would have to be Sophie Wells, Natasha Baker, Lee Pearson and Sophie Christiansen, with Suzanna Hext and Erin Orford as reserves. We’ll find out if I’m right in just a few weeks…

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A squad full of exciting new combinations have formed the short-list for the British para dressage team at this September’s World Equestrian Games.

Just two of the pairs listed have been to a championship before — Sophie Wells (grade V) with Charlotte Hogg’s 11-year-old C Fatal Attraction, double gold medallists at last year’s Europeans, and Erin Orford (grade III) with Annabel Whittet’s Dior, who also helped Britain to gold in 2017, picking up individual bronze along the way. Sophie is also listed with a second ride, the seven-year-old KWPN stallion Gladstone, who is owned by Sophie, Jackie and Neil Walker, and Valerie Woolford.

Sophie Christiansen (grade I) is back on a championship short-list after a year out of competition, this time partnering her ride of less than a year, the nine-year-old Danish warmblood Amazing Romance, known as Harry.

Natasha Baker (grade III) is another multi-medallist to be back in team contention after a year off, again on a super exciting new ride, Mount St John Diva Dannebrog (pictured above). The nine-year-old mare, by Don Schufro x Brentano II, is owned by Emma Blundell of the Mount St John stud, and has been with Natasha since January this year.

Lee Pearson (grade II) is another championship veteran to bring forward an exciting new ride in his home-bred nine-year-old mare Styletta, a dainty, black Sandros Dancer daughter.

The 2017 triple European gold medallist Suzanna Hext is once again in contention for a team place, but this time not with her Gothenburg partner, the Huttons’ Abira, who is currently out with injury. Instead, H&H blogger Suz, who was reclassified from grade III to grade II at the start of the year, is listed with the Lady Joseph Trust and Henrietta Cheetham’s LJT Enggaards Solitaire. If selected, this will not be the 13-year-old blue Hors Soprano son’s first championships, however — “Sid” won medals for Britain at both the 2013 Europeans and the 2014 WEG under Ricky Balshaw.

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Gold medallist’s urgent crowd-funding for new Tokyo ride

“I did initially think, ‘Do I just call it a day?’ But I’m not ready to. I live for my

‘Shock’ reclassification for para gold medallist

The European medallist’s condition has been deemed to have deteriorated

‘She has everything I’ve been looking for’: para champion unveils exciting new ride

The Rio triple gold medallist has finally found her potential WEG partner

The remaining three shortlisted riders would all be championship debutants. These include two pupils of Sophie Wells: 17-year-old Izzy Palmer (grade IV), who was also shortlisted for the Europeans last year, riding the Wells family’s Touchdown M, and 22-year-old Georgia Wilson (grade II) with her own Midnight Z.

Grade IV rider Nicky Greenhill completes the shortlist, riding her own nine-year-old black mare Betty Boo, a Benetton Dream daughter bred by Lynne Crowden.

One omission form the list is Julie Payne, triple gold medallist at last year’s Europeans with Athene Lindebjerg, and the only member of that team not to be shortlisted this year. Julie, who has since been reclassified from a grade I to a grade II, has been piloting her own Pandora in competition so far this season, with Di Redfern’s Athene having suffered some soundness issues.

The team of four, which will be announced at the end of July or beginning of August, must include at least one rider from grades I, II or III, and cannot include more than two riders from the same grade.

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Carl Hester and Sophie Christiansen are among several top riders who have backed Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May).

Carl took to Instagram today (18 May) to talk about the intense pressures often felt by riders, and those competing in sport, and urging riders to encourage one another to speak out and listen to others.

“Whatever the level, whatever the goal, many of those in sport will have felt the pressure at some point in their career. The strongest people are not those who show their strength in front of the world but those who fight and win battles behind the scenes, that most know nothing about,” wrote the Olympic gold medallist.

“We should always encourage our peers to never let their pride or fear stop them from speaking out when their challenges become overwhelming, so that they know they are never alone.”

Continued below…

Mental Health Awareness Week: ‘We need to look after each other like we do our horses’

‘If there’s a horse not looking right, we pick it up in 10 seconds, but it would take you 10

Report finds athletes are afraid of admitting mental health problems

A report by Mind has revealed that elite sportspeople fear that admitting a mental health problem will affect their career

Grooms face shocking mental health issues, survey shows

More than 98% of respondents felt the equestrian industry needs to do more to support grooms’ mental health and wellbeing

Multi-medalled paralympian Sophie Christiansen has revealed her personal struggles with mental health following her gold medal at the Beijing Paralympics in 2008, aged 20, in support of the campaign.

“After I came back from winning my first Paralympic gold medal in Beijing 2008, I suffered depression, termed by psychologists as the ‘post-Games blues’. I went back into my third year at university and after a few weeks I just didn’t feel myself. I shut myself in my room in halls for days and had really irrational thoughts, some even suicidal, even though I knew I had no reason to,” revealed Sophie.

Sophie continued: “I had a meeting with my adviser at the time, which forced me to go out. She took one look at me and asked me what was wrong. I told her how I was feeling and she immediately said, ‘The trouble is that you’ve achieved your childhood dream – you’ve been away in this fairy-tale land that no-one back here understands. And you’re working too hard. It’s possible to lengthen your four year MSci into five years. Have a think about it.’”

Sophie explained how finding somebody who understood how she was feeling helped her to start feeing better, but “it made me realise what real depression felt like”.

The Mental Health Foundation, which hosts the week, is focusing on stress this year, and how tackling stress can help alleviate anxiety and depression.

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

This week’s edition (17 May) features a full report from Royal Windsor Horse Show, including all the showing, showjumping and dressage action. We go behind the scenes with the Household Cavalry as they prepare for the royal wedding, plus check out our interview with Irish eventer Padraig McCarthy.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sadly, Robin developed head-shaking issues.

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

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

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

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

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

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Sophie Christiansen targets Tokyo Olympics with exciting new horse

The multi-medalled Paralympian looks set to return to

Sophie Christiansen bags third gold; Paralympic team-mates scoop silvers

Britain secures a gold and two silvers to

Nick Skelton third and Sophie Christiansen fifth in BBC SPOTY

It was a podium finish for Nick in

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

The hunt for sponsors

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

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

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

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

How wonderful it is to see so many Olympic and Paralympic riders recognized in the New Year’s honours list. Each and every one absolutely deserves this accolade, and we salute Sir Lee Pearson, who has finally been knighted after winning so many medals — including 11 Paralympic golds — that his treasure chest must be overflowing.

His team-mates Anne Dunham and Sophie Christiansen are also recognized for their outstanding services to equestrianism, with Anne Dunham now an OBE and Sophie Christiansen also stepped up a rung on the ladder to CBE.

Charlotte Dujardin and Nick Skelton are now Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) after their outstanding efforts in Rio to secure individual golds, with both of them being upgraded from their London 2012 OBEs.

One name missing

But scanning this list — all 124 pages of the stuff — there seems to be a name missing. Where is Carl Hester’s knighthood? Yes he has an MBE from London 2012, but I think the horse world was hoping (and expecting?) that he’d be recognized for his incomparable input into the Rio 2016 results.

Who else has done more to put equestrianism on the map? He trained the gold medal-winning rider, he owns the gold medal winning horse, he trains all of his team members and — as if that wasn’t already enough — he rode on the team, too. And the team won silver. Has anyone ever done that before? And with such good grace, perpetual positivity and unrelenting understanding of the needs of the media and public? I don’t think so.

I suspect that if the researchers and decision-makers had looked a bit more closely at Carl’s 2016 achievements, we would now be addressing him as Sir Carl.

His omission from the list is a bit of a slap in the face given how much he’s done to raise the profile of dressage into the national consciousness and his tireless work to spread the word of kind training and thoughtful horsemanship.

How about we give him a title of our own? King Carl? Or perhaps Hero Hester? Any better suggestions, answers on a postcard…

Continued below…

Related articles:

Carl Hester ‘delighted’ by latest honour

Tales from Stoneleigh: from a riding school to the dream job with Carl Hester

Uthopia auction update: Carl Hester confirms positive outcome

What do the letters mean?

1. Knighthood: The recipients of this title become a Sir or a Dame. This is the highest honour possible.

2. Order of the British Empire. This is split into three ranks, with CBE being the highest civilian accolade of the three.

A. Commander (CBE)

B. Officer (OBE)

C. Member (MBE)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Five Paralympic and Olympic riders have been included in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list.

The dressage world has dominated the equestrian contingent, boasting four riders who will be recognised for services to equestrianism.

Topping the list with a knighthood is Lee Pearson, the most decorated para-equestrian of all time.

He has won 11 Paralympic gold medals, ridden at five Paralympic Games and also has 14 World and five European championship titles.

In 2011, he fell and broke his back during training and recovered to continue winning at the top of the sport, including individual gold and silver in Rio.

Reigning Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin, eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen and individual Olympic showjumping gold medallist Nick Skelton will all be awarded CBEs.

Multiple Paralympic, World and European medal-winning para-dressage rider Anne Dunham has been made an OBE and sports broadcaster Jonathan Agnew, who swapped cricked for commentating at the equestrian Olympic events in Rio, will receive an MBE.

All the riders have received honours before and this is also the second prestigious recognition in as many weeks for Nick and Sophie, who came third and fifth respectively in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards on 18 December.

Inspirational former event rider Claire Lomas has also been made an MBE for charitable and voluntary services to spinal injury research. Claire, who was paralysed from the chest down in a cross-country fall in 2007, has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charity by taking on challenges.

These have included hand-cycling around England and using a robotic suit to walk the London Marathon, Great North Run and Vitality London 10000 routes.

Members of the racing world who will receive honours include former jockey and retired general manager of Perth racecourse Sam Morshead, trainer and founder of the Borders MS [multiple sclerosis] Racing Club Rhona Elliot, Dr Robert Welby Henry, trainer John Gosden and Timothy Adams.

Related articles:

• Lee Pearson claims individual silver
• 11 emotional moments caught on camera in 2016
• Nick Skelton third and Sophie Christian fifth in SPOTY

Awards for sport make up 14% of the 1,197 honours being given out, while women make up just over half of the total and 8.5% of the people on the honours list consider themselves to have a disability.

Other members of Team GB who are receiving honours include Andy Murray and Mo Farah, both of whom will receive knighthoods, as well as Katherine Grainger and Jessica Ennis-Hill, who will receive damehoods.

Jason Kenny, Laura Kenny, Max Whitlock, Ellie Robinson, Helen Richardson Walsh and Kate Richardson Walsh are also among the British Rio Olympic and Paralympic sporting stars on the list.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British Dressage (BD) has celebrated a “phenomenal” year for the sport.

From Rio to Olympia, dressage has dominated headlines of both equestrian and mainstream media.

The popularity of the sport was also demonstrated by the success of para dressage rider Sophie Christiansen in her Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award nomination.

“We’re really delighted to see how much interest it’s generated,” BD’s Jason Brautigam told H&H.

Team GBR’s medal haul

At the Rio Olympic Games this summer, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Spencer Wilton and Fiona Bigwood secured team silver for Great Britain.

Charlotte and Valegro went on to win individual gold with a massive 93.857%.

Britain also came out on top in the Paralympics with the team recording their most successful Games to date, accruing seven gold medals and a total medal haul of 11.

Dressage was once again brought into the spotlight during Olympia (12-18 December), where superstar Valegro was officially retired from competition.

The same week, eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie finished fifth in the BBC’s SPOTY award.

Sophie was just two places behind Rio showjumping hero Nick Skelton and ahead of 11 other top athletes, including cyclists Laura and Jason Kenny.

“It was phenomenal to see Sophie in the line-up of 16 superb top class athletes,” Mr Brautigam said.

“She finished above both cyclists and two footballers. It shows just how far dressage has come. For Sophie it was deserved recognition of everything she has achieved.

Related articles:

• Nick Skelton third and Sophie Christiansen fifth in BBC SPOTY
• Charlotte Dujardin exclusive: ‘She bet me £5 that I couldn’t make him piaffe’
• Golden hat-trick for Britain on final day of Paralympic dressage

“[Nick and Sophie’s SPOTY result] is testament to how popular equestrian is and how dedicated and loyal the horse community is.

“Last week Olympia brought dressage in the spotlight again with Valegro’s retirement. It was a fantastic week of action with Carl [Hester] winning too.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Nick Skelton and Sophie Christiansen missed out in the 2016 Sports Personality of the Year award — but Nick finished in third place, while Sophie came fifth.

Andy Murray won with 247,419 votes, becoming the first person to take the trophy three times, while triathlete Alistair Brownlee was second with 121,665. Nick garnered 109,197 and Sophie 37,284

Nick and Sophie were among 16 top athletes shortlisted for the annual award, and both were in the packed audience at the SPOTY ceremony in Birmingham tonight (18 December).

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie was nominated after she retained both her London 2012 individual titles in Rio in September, as well as team gold, while Nick won hearts across the world when he and Big Star took individual gold in Rio, following winning team gold in London 2012.

“You proved the best things come to those who wait,” host Clare Balding said to Nick.

“I certainly waited a long time, and I was getting near the end and running out of time,” Nick answered.

“Luckily, it all went right. When you have a horse like that, it makes the job a lot easier.”

Nick said he was honoured to have served his country for 40 years, “and won gold on my last chance”.

“I feel very privileged to be standing here with all these great sportsmen and women,” he added. “It’s terrific and it’ll probably be the last time I’m standing here as I’m running out of time.”

Nick thanked “everyone who’s helped me along the way”, including members of the public who contribute to funding Team GB by buying lottery tickets.

SPOTY would have topped an unbelievable year for Nick, who was also named FEI athlete of the year last month, won the British Showjumping award in October and took H&H‘s lifetime achievement award in November.

Asked by host Clare Balding what riding brought to her life, Sophie said she had started riding aged six, as therapy for her cerebral palsy.

“I’ve been really competitive all my life, and when I found a sport I could excel at, I wanted to be the best I could be,” she said.

Continues below…

Related articles:

• Nick Skelton and Big Star: how it all began
• Golden hat-trick for Britain on final day of Paralympic dressage
• Equestrian events dominate UK’s top 10 sporting occasions

Only four equestrians have won the SPOTY award: AP McCoy in 2010, Zara Phillips (2006), Princess Anne (1971) and David Broome (1960), while Charlotte Dujardin finished fourth in 2014.

Andy Murray said: “It’s been an amazing year for British sport and I’m proud to have been part of it.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The H&H team is backing both Nick Skelton and Sophie Christiansen in the race to be voted this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year and we’re asking you all to show your support — and tell your friends and family, too!

With less than a week to go until the big event in Birmingham, at 6.40pm on Sunday 18 December, it’s time to help spread the word about these two worthy nominees and get behind our heroic equestrians.

For Nick Skelton fans, we want you to print out this mask of the great man himself (you can download a printable version here) and share your pictures on social media using the hashtag #skeltonSPOTY and we’ll retweet some of our favourites on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There will of course be an extra special mention for anyone who manages to get a mask #skelfie with the real life version at Olympia!

And to support Sophie, we’ve created this picture of her doing what she does best, which you can download here, and again, get sharing it, using the hashtag #Sophie4SPOTY.

We’ve kicked things off with this team portrait (we’re not quite sure what the collective noun is for a large group of Nick Skeltons?) here at Horse & Hound HQ.

So now it’s over to you — get your friends involved, rope in your children and of course, your horse deserves to be in on the picture, too. So send us your pics and voice your support all over social media!

Nick and Sophie are among 16 sportsmen shortlisted for the annual award, alongside the likes of Mo Farah, Matt Whitlock and Alistair Brownlee, with Andy Murray currently the short-priced favourite. We at H&H are proud to back both our heroes.

Nick, who at 58 is bidding to become the first showjumper to win SPOTY since David Broome in 1960, was crowned Olympic champion in Rio on Big Star, while Sophie added to her Paralympic haul in Rio, taking her tally of gold medals to eight.

Related articles:

• SPOTY — how you can support the equestrian nominees
• Nick Skelton ‘amazed’ by calls for him to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year
• Britain remains on top of the Paralympic world

Of course, we want you all to vote on the night, too — details of how to register for voting online can be found here and details for voting by phone will be given on the night.

BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be broadcast live on BBC One at 6.40pm on Sunday 18 December.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The nominees for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) were announced yesterday (29 November) and two star equestrians made the line up.

Nick Skelton and Sophie Christiansen are two of a shortlist of 16 stars up for the award that were revealed on The One Show.

The nominees will compete for the public vote on 18 December.

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie said she was “shocked and honoured” to be nominated for SPOTY in “such an important year for sport”.

“I know that many of the British public won’t know who I am because I compete in a minority sport,” she said. “This is why I need your help not to come last!

“I want to be voted for by the people because I stand for more than just an athlete.

“So please vote for me if you have ever overcome a challenge, believe in the benefits of sport, studied maths, have a disability but never let that stop you, work in an office, love riding and horses, went to university, always strive for better, go to festivals and gigs, are a computer geek and proud of it, fight for things you believe in or just like to support the underdog!”

Article continues below

Related articles:

• SPOTY: two equestrian superstars in the running
• Nick Skelton ‘amazed’ by calls for him to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the year
• Golden hat-trick for Britain on final day of Paralympic dressage

How to vote

Nick and Sophie’s chance of winning the title rides on a public vote — and H&H wants to make sure that they get all the support they can.

To vote online for free you’ll need a BBC iD.

If you haven’t already done so, you can register via this link: www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/sports-personality

Voting will open during the show, broadcast on BBC One, 5v live and on the BBC Sport website, on 18 December

You can also vote by phone — the numbers will be released during the show.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Equestrian stars Nick Skelton and Sophie Christiansen have been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY).

The nominations were revealed today (28 November) on The One Show.

Nick and Sophie are two of a shortlist of 16 stars up for the award, selected by an expert panel of sports specialists.

The list also includes footballers Jamie Vardy, Gareth Bale, hockey player Kate Richardson-Walsh, golfer Danny Willet, boxer Nicola Adams and tennis player Andy Murray.

Gymnast Max Whitlock also joins the line-up alongside swimmer Adam Peaty, triathlete Alistair Brownlee, runner Mo Farah, cyclist Dame Sarah Story, para runner and cyclist Kadeena Cox and cyclists Jason Kenny and Laura Kenny.

The 16 will compete for the public vote on 18 December.

“I’m so happy to be nominated for SPOTY — it’s such an honour to be recognised in this way among such great sportsmen and women,” Nick told H&H.

Voting will be available by phone or online and the number to call for each contestant with be revealed during the show.

Calls were made for Nick to be nominated after he was crowned 2016 Olympic champion, following his four-decade showjumping career.

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list for services to disabled sport and an OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours list.

Continued below…

Related articles:

• Olympia offers fans the chance to meet Nick Skelton
• Nick Skelton ‘amazed’ to win H&H lifetime achievement award
• ‘Ferocious determination to succeed’ earns Sophie Christiansen coverted award

Only four equestrians have won the SPOTY award: AP McCoy in 2010, Zara Phillips (2006), Princess Anne (1971) and David Broome (1960).

AP was crowned Sports Personality of the Year in 2010 the year in which he won the Grand National on his 15th attempt aboard Don’t Push It. He was the first jockey to win the prestigious title and secured more than 40% of the votes. He was also shortlisted last year, when he finished third.

Zara Phillips took the award after being crowned world and European eventing champion, beating the bookies’ favourite golfer Darren Clarke to the title.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Nick Skelton, Sophie Christiansen and Hannah Francis are among the equestrian stars shortlisted for prizes at this year’s FEI awards.

The winners will be revealed tomorrow (22 November) at the Prince Park Tower Hotel in Tokyo, Japan.

Launched in 2009, the awards celebrate those making an outstanding contribution to equestrian sport.

Hannah has been nominated in the against all odds category.

The inspirational event rider died on 1 August, 15 months after being diagnosed with bone cancer.

Hannah launched the Willberry Wonder Pony charity, which funds bone cancer research and grants horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses.

Brazilian para dressage rider Rodolpho Roskalla, Chilean showjumper Manuel Franke Bertolotto and Austrian para dressage rider Pepo Punch are also shortlisted for the against all odds category.

“We’ve had a huge response to the awards this year showing how much equestrian has captured the imagination of fans across the globe,” said FEI secretary general Sabrina Ibáñez.

“Heroes, heroines, inspirational figures who never give up and make us think ‘wow’ are what the awards are here to celebrate.”

Olympic hero Nick Skelton has been nominated for the best athlete award.

Fellow Brit and para dressage rider Sophie Christiansen has also been shortlisted in this category, as have German dressage rider Isabell Werth and French eventer Astier Nicolas.

Related articles:

• H&H Awards, #Skelfies and the morning after: see your 2016 heroes celebrate
• H&H Awards: the winners are revealed
• Nick Skelton ‘amazed’ to win H&H lifetime achievement award

Nick’s groom Mark Beever, and Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin’s groom Alan Davies, are among those in the running for the best groom award.

“We are a global sport but we are also way of life and a community with a very strong set of values”, FEI president Ingmar De Vos added.

“The FEI awards honour everyone who make our sport happen and this has been shown time and time again in the thousands of nominations we have received since the FEI awards were launched in 2009.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It was another golden afternoon in Rio for Great Britain with Lee Pearson, Sophie Christiansen and Natasha Baker all topping the podium in the freestyle.

Lee Pearson went one better than his individual silver on Wednesday to claim gold with Zion, the 11th gold medal of his career.

“I do think I have the most amazing horse — I love him to bits,” he said. “I wanted to go in there powerful and go down that centre line like we owned it. I wanted to say to the judges, ‘we are here’.

“I’m in love with my team. I’m in love with the lottery. I’m in love with my family, my parents, my brothers, my groom, my partner — everybody that has kept me in the game, kept me here.”

Austria’s Pepo Puch took silver with Fontainenoir, with Denmark’s Stinna Kaastrup claiming her secind bronze of the Games with Smarties.

‘I knew we could do it’

It was a British one-two once again in the grade Ia freestyle. Sophie Christiansen scored 79.7% — the highest mark of the competition — to take gold with Athene Lindebjerg. In doing so, Sophie has defended both her individual titles from London.

“This year has been so up and down so to even get here was a feat in itself. Athene is such a young horse. I didn’t know how she would react, but she felt so relaxed with me today so I knew we could do it,” said Sophie.

Anne Dunham had to settle for silver behind her teammate once again, posting 76.05% aboard Lucas Normark, and Brazil’s Sergio Oliva completed the podium line-up in bronze.

Natasha Baker provided Britain with their third gold medal of the day when she defended her freestyle title with Cabral, at what is the 15-year-old Bujak gelding’s last championship. Dutch rider Rixt van der Horst held the lead until Natasha, the final rider of the Games into the arena, added 1.5% to finish on top with 77.25%. Steffen Zeibig and Feel Good 4 took bronze — the sole individual medal here for Germany.

“I’ve run out of tears,” said Natasha. That was our last championship test together and it was magical. He has never been beaten at a Paralympics. He deserves to go out with a bang.”

This brings Britain’s medal total from the Paralympic Games to 11, with six individual golds, four individual silvers and team gold.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

It was a euphoric day in Rio for British para dressage, with Sophie Christiansen and Natasha Baker each winning individual gold, Anne Dunham taking silver and Britain claiming overall team honours.

This is the sixth consecutive Paralympic team title the Britain has won, having won gold at every Paralympic Games to have featured dressage, beginning in Atlanta in 1996.

No one could topple the British riders all day, with Sophie Christiansen scoring a massive 78.21% on Athene Lindebjerg to retain her individual grade Ia title from London. Anne Dunham secured the silver medal behind her teammate, posting 74.34% aboard the Knabstrupper stallion Lucas Normark.

“I honestly couldn’t have done any more. Athene was so relaxed and with me,” said Sophie.

Despite a totally focused test, Athene had a big spook coming out of the arena, although Sophie wasn’t fazed: “It was fine to do it after the test! Athene is such a sweetie — she was scared but she knows she still has to look after mummy.”

With Sophie Wells collecting grade IV gold yesterday and Natasha Baker winning the grade II individual championship earlier today, Britain finished the team competition on a final score of 453.3 — a full 20 marks out in front. The tightest battle was for silver, with Germany edging out the Netherlands by just three points.

“One horror all of us had was the idea of being on the first team that doesn’t actually win the gold medal,” said Anne, for whom this is a fifth Paralympic gold. “But we won it, and we won it in style. We’ve shown that we are the best prepared, best trained squad in the world. We’ve shown it again and hopefully we’ll go on to show it in future.”

British chef d’equipe Sarah Armstrong added: “We couldn’t have wished for a better result. Since London everybody has upped their game and we are very aware that there are other nations delivering sterling performances who are on our heels. We’ve got to keep looking for the tiny things that can make the difference and that has really been our focus over the past nine or ten months.”

Continued below…

Related articles:

Britain in gold medal position at halfway stage of the Paralympic dressage in Rio

What must Britain’s Paralympic riders do to win gold in Rio?

Tales from Rio: ‘We used to draw our Paralympic horses out of a hat’

Brazil’s Sergio Oliva gave the home crowd something to cheer about, winning the bronze medal with Coco Chanel on 73.82%.

”I’ve worked hard for more than 12 years to get this bronze medal so for me it means gold,” said Sergio. “To get a medal in my home country is amazing. I don’t have any words. I love this. I love this moment. This is a dream.”

All five of Britain’s riders have qualified for the freestyle tomorrow, which will begin at 1pm BST. The team medal ceremony will also take place tomorrow.

More information about how to follow the Paralympic dressage can be found here, and don’t forget to stay tuned to the H&H website for the latest news, results and scores.

Don’t miss our full Paralympic report in the 22 September issue of H&H.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain hold the gold medal position after the first round of the team competition at the Paralympic dressage in Rio. With all four riders — Sophie Christiansen, Anne Dunham, Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells — having completed the team test in their respective grades, Britain top the leaderboard on a current score of 225.884.

The German team of Elke Philipp, Carolin Schnarre, Stefan Zeibig and Alina Rosenberg, are currently in silver on 218.602, while the Netherlands (Frank Hosmar, Nicole den Dulk, Rixt van der Horst and Demi Vermeulen) are just a whisker behind them with 215.558.

Natasha Baker was the final rider to contribute a British team score, posting 71.88% with Cabral to top this morning’s grade II competition. It proved to be the closest class so far, with just 0.5% covering the top four combinations, two of which were Dutch and one German.

The 15-year-old Bujak son didn’t make things easy for Natasha, spooking badly just before entering the arena and causing Natasha to have to drop her whip.

“He was really nervous,” explained Natasha. “The atmosphere got hold of him and I had to work really, really hard. But after the first handful of movements he relaxed and started working with me and the fact he settles so quickly has given me confidence for the next few days.”

This is Natasha’s debut on a Paralympic team, having ridden as an individual when she claimed her double gold in London.

Continued below…

Related articles:

Britain off to strong start at Rio Paralympics

Tales from Rio: ‘We used to draw our Paralympic horses out of a hat’

What must Britain’s Paralympic riders do to win gold in Rio?

The second half of the team competition gets underway this afternoon with the grade III individual championship, but the next Brit in action will be Sophie Wells and Valerius in the grade IV individual test tomorrow at 3.09pm BST. Natasha, Anne Dunham and Sophie Christiansen will be in action on Thursday. The individual championship scores are added to the team test scores to decide the final team standings, as well as generating the first set of individual medals.

Britain’s Lee Pearson will have his first shot at a medal tomorrow, in the grade Ib individual championship aboard Zion. Lee, who has 10 Paralympic gold medals to his name, will be hoping to go one better than in London, where he took individual silver.

More information about how to follow the Paralympic dressage can be found here, and don’t forget to stay tuned to the H&H website for the latest news, results and scores.

Don’t miss our full Paralympic report in the 22 September issue of H&H.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British team have made a great start in the team competition at the Rio Paralympics, with Sophie Wells, Sophie Christiansen and Anne Dunham all posting excellent scores in today’s team tests.

Sophie Christiansen and Athene Lindebjerg posted a whopping 77.52% — just short of her own personal best score — to top the grade Ia leaderboard by 3.5%.

“I’m over the moon with her — she’s so young and for her to go into that loud, atmospheric arena and do that is so nice,” said Sophie of Diane Redfern’s Gribaldi mare, who is only nine. “The test felt a bit tentative — we took her round the arena slowly for her to take it all in. There’s so much more to come.”

Sophie’s preparation for the Games has been less than ideal: Athene has suffered from an infection in recent weeks and it wasn’t until the day the mare flew that Sophie knew whether she would be riding her, or her London partner, the multi-medalled 19-year-old Janeiro (Rio).

Long-time class leader Anne Dunham finished second behind Sophie with 73.95%. The striking Knabstrupper stallion can become sluggish in hot weather, but Anne was pleased with his performance in today’s 29 degree heat.

“He was fine today, although the arena did feel enormous — I felt like a tiny dot,” said Anne, who is contesting her fifth Paralympics. “I like big atmospheres — they pick me up and get the adrenaline going. Rio has been everything I expected and hoped for.”

Continued below…

Related articles:

Victory for Lee Pearson on day one of the Paralympic dressage in Rio

How to follow our para dressage riders in Rio

What must Britain’s Paralympic riders do to win gold in Rio?

Sophie Wells was the first rider into the arena for Britain, and her 14-year-old liver chestnut gelding Valerius was on his toes to score 74.4%. They finished second in the grade IV class, with Belgium’s Michele George and Rainman just creeping ahead.

“Reece really concentrated and listened to what he had to do in there. We had no mistakes, which is important for day one,” said Sophie. “I was aiming for a clean, safe test, which we got, and I’ll be able to ask a little more in the individual test on Wednesday.”

Natasha Baker is the final British team rider to begin her Rio campaign. She and Cabral will contest the grade II team test tomorrow (13 September).

More information about how to follow the Paralympic dressage can be found here, and don’t forget to stay tuned to the H&H website for the latest news, results and scores.

 Don’t miss our full Paralympic report in the 22 September issue of H&H.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Paralympic dressage medal contenders are among the five horses to be reinspected tomorrow

Several medal hopes are among the five horses that will be reinspected tomorrow at 7.30am (Sunday 11 September), following the trot-up at the Rio Paralympics today,

Austrian rider Pepo Puch will re-present his ride Fontainenoir tomorrow. The London 2012 gold medallist will be bidding to add more golds to his collection in the grade Ib events this week with the Florencio I gelding.

Royal Delight, the ride of Italian grade Ia medal hopeful Sara Morganti, who took gold at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, will also be reinspected tomorrow, and Brazil’s Rodolpho Riskalla will also have a nervous wait to find out if his mount, Warenne, will be cleared to compete.

Two Danish horses make up the five who were not passed today: Stinna Kaastrup’s 15-year-old gelding Smarties and Caroline Nielsen’s 12-year-old gelding Leon will also be reinspected.

All five of Great Britain’s horses — Lee Pearson’s Zion, Natasha Baker’s Cabral, Sophie Christiansen’s Athene Lindebjerg, Anne Dunham’s Lucas Normark and Sophie Wells’ Valerius — were declared fit and sound to compete.

Michele George’s Rainman was sent to the holding box, but later passed. The pair, who claimed gold in London, compete for Belgium in grade IV.

Continued below…

Related articles:

FEI ‘very disappointed’ Russian para dressage riders banned from Rio Paralympics

Russian riders to miss Rio Paralympics after appeal lost

Major #FillTheSeats campaign for Rio Paralympics

The action gets underway tomorrow with the grade III team test, beginning at 2pm (UK time), and the grade Ib team test at 6pm (UK time). Britain does not have any grade III competitors, but Lee Pearson will be the first out of the blocks for the squad, performing at 6.18pm with the 12-year-old Flemmingh gelding Zion.

Sophie Wells will be in action for Great Britain on Monday, in the grade IV team test. Grade Ia riders Sophie Christiansen and Anne Dunham, and grade II rider Natasha Baker, will begin their Paralympic campaigns on Tuesday.

More information about how to follow the Paralympic dressage can be found here, and don’t forget to stay tuned to the H&H website for the latest news, results and scores.

Don’t miss our full Paralympic report in the 22 September issue of H&H.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British dressage star Charlotte Dujardin will finish the year at the top of the FEI world dressage rider rankings.

The monthly rankings were published by the FEI on 30 November, where she remained at number one for the 28th consecutive month.

Charlotte and her multi gold medal-winning partner Valegro collected a total of 3,183 points this year — putting her more than 450 points ahead of second placed Germany’s Kristina Broring-Sprehe and Desperados FRH.

In third is the Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover NOP.

Carl Hester was the next highest-placed Brit on the list in 12th with Nip Tuck.

Charlotte and Valegro made history in 2012 when they became the first British combination to top the rankings.

During 2013, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival NOP from the Netherlands knocked them off the top spot for three months.

But the British wonder pair reclaimed their crown.

Charlotte and Valegro, who are the reigning World, Olympic and European champions, have had a successful 2015.

In April, they won the World Cup Final in Las Vegas with a score of 94.169%.

They also spearheaded the British team at the European Dressage Championships in Aachen (12-16 August).

Their performance at the championships helped Great Britain to claim team silver and they also took individual gold in both the grand prix special and the freestyle.

British riders have also dominated across the other lists.

Sophie Christiansen has kept her position as the top para dressage rider in the world and is joined in the top 10 by her 2015 FEI European Para Dressage Championship teammates.

Lee Pearson was ranked fifth, Anne Dunham sixth and Sophie Wells 10th.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old Phoebe Peters and SL Lucci have retained their title as the number one pony dressage combination in the world.

In showjumping, Scott Brash has once again headed the FEI Longines rider rankings, making it eight consecutive months at the top for him this year.

Topping the world event rider list is Germany’s Michael Jung.

William Fox-Pitt is the leading British event rider in fourth, with Kitty King, Nicola Wilson and Oliver Townend just missing out on the top 10 finishing in 11th, 12th and 13th respectively.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British para dressage rider Sophie Christiansen has received a prestigious Woman of the Future award.

The triple Paralympic gold medallist came out on top in the sport category of the 2015 awards (27 October).

Hundreds came to celebrate the awards that recognise women under 35 who are influential in their sector. Winners included construction specialists, poverty campaigners and composers, as well as athletes.

“I am absolutely honoured to have won the award as there were some very worthy nominations in the category,” said Sophie. “I feel that it is important for me to use my platform as gold medalist to promote disabled rights and the judging panel recognised my accomplishments and work outside the arena too.”

27-year-old Sophie has cerebral palsy and was inspired to start riding after a school trip to her local RDA centre, aged six.

Her first major international success came at the 2004 Athens Games where she won an individual bronze medal. Sophie has since gone on to win three gold medals and one silver medal at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympics.

She won team gold, individual gold and freestyle silver at the 2014 World Equestrian Games. Sophie also won gold in the freestyle at this year’s FEI European Para Dressage Championships in Deauville, France (20 September).

“2015 is the first year that the Women of the Future awards has included a sports category, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving inaugural winner than Sophie,” added Pinky Lilani, founder of Women of the Future.

“The judges picked out Sophie for her ‘ferocious determination to succeed’ as shown by her successes so far and those that we know she will continue to realise. We know that she’ll be a phenomenal ambassador for Women of the Future and I am so proud to list her name among our winners this year.”

Women of the Future 2015 winners

•  Arts and Culture: Hannah Kendall, composer
• Business: Lisa Neale, General Manager, voice and multimedia service operations, BT Group
• Community Spirits: Jackie Scully, group account director, Think
• Entrepreneurship: Gemma Richards, director, SA Flyers
• MBA Star: Priyanka Agarwal, founder, Vritti Learning and Research
• Media: Jack Monroe, writer and campaigner, Jack Monroe
  Professional: Victoria Price, partner, EY
• Real Estate, Infrastructure and Construction: Hannah Feddon, associate director, Faithful and Gould
• Science: Tessa Baker, postdoctoral fellow at All Souls, University of Oxford
• Sport: Sophie Christiansen, paralympic athlete, Team GB
• Technology and Digital: Dr Laura Toogood, managing director of Private Clients, Digitalis Reputation
• Young Star: Phoebe Gormley, managing director, Gormley and Gamble
• Mentor: Alex Peace-Gadsby, director, Musto Ltd
• Corporate: Synergy Vision

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

As September draws to a close, Freshers’ Week beckons. For most students a toga party is the most they’ll have to worry about, but others will be combining student life with competing. Find out how to cope...

“I’m a geek, I love coding statistical models,” says para dressage star Sophie Christiansen.

It’s an unlikely statement from a top-class rider, in a sport where hours in the saddle reap far more rewards than algebraic equations. But multi-medalled Sophie not only enjoyed studying for her masters in mathematics, she puts it to use in her part-time job as statistical analyst for Goldman Sachs. And Sophie isn’t alone.

While it’s far from the conventional route to Olympic success in a world where many leave school at 16, plenty of ambitious riders squeeze in an academic degree alongside a burgeoning competitive career — and experience three of the best years of their lives.

So how do you juggle your degree and horses?

1. Harry Meade, eventer

“Build up credit with your department, for when exams and events clash. I made an effort to have a high attendance rate — I barely missed a lecture and never handed in work late. When I was struggling to finish my dissertation at the same time as I was doing Luhmuhlen, my head of department wasn’t bothered because I had a good track record.”

2. Laura Tomlinson, dressage rider (pictured top)

“Be organised and disciplined so that you can enjoy uni life as well as training hard. And if you have to drive early the day after going out, don’t drink.”

Continued below…

Harry Meade: ‘Life is about challenges — we don’t know what’s ahead of us’

After a turbulent few years, four-star eventer and Land Rover ambassador Harry Meade talks about coming back from his 2013

3. Sophie Christiansen, para dressage rider

“I had very good advice after I’d won two golds in Beijing. I was struggling with trying to make the most of being in the limelight and my adviser told me to go part-time and take five years to do my masters. I would have been too proud to take that step myself, but otherwise I wouldn’t have got a first-class degree.”

4. Georgie Wood, eventer

“I have to make use of every minute of the day. I make a strict time-plan every evening and stick to it really closely. I also make a revision timetable a couple of months before exams so that I can allow myself days off for eventing without feeling guilty.”

5. Emma Tivey, showjumper and eventer

“Be prepared to make sacrifices. I’ve qualified for the amateur eventer dressage championships at Blenheim, but it’s the same day as term starts, with important meetings. It’s frustrating, but you have to deal with the fact that you cannot do everything.”

Don’t miss the full feature about juggling your degree and horses in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (24 September 2015)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British riders have arrived in France and all horses have all passed the trot up in advance of this week’s FEI European Para Equestrian Dressage Championships in Deauville, France (18-20 September).

The team is made up of:

• Grade Ia, Sophie Christiansen with Athene Lindebjerg
• Grade Ia, Anne Dunham with LJT Lucas Normark
• Grade Ib, Lee Pearson and Zion
• Grade IV, Sophie Wells with C Fatal Attraction
• Grade II’s Natasha Baker will compete as an individual with Sookie St James.

“It’s a great atmosphere here in Deauville,” Natasha told H&H today (Thursday, 17 September). “The horses are very relaxed and have been going very well.

“We have a very young squad of horses with three new horses at championship level so it’s exciting to do see how they get on tomorrow.

“I have the youngest horse so I’m just hoping to have a nice confidence-giving clean test tomorrow and fingers crossed the judges love her.”

Seventy-two riders from 20 nations will compete in the championships

Team GBR has dominated championships in the past, and the riders will be hoping for similar results this year.

At the last Europeans, in Herning, Denmark in 2013, Great Britain topped the medal table with seven golds.

However, in this year’s competition there is likely to be strong competition from Germany and the Netherlands.

Sophie Christiansen will be representing Britain in Grade Ia. She took three gold medals at both London 2012 and at the Europeans in 2013, as well as picking up two at last year’s World Equestrian Games.

However, she’ll be up against team mate Anne Dunham, who won consecutive gold medals at four Paralympic Games starting in Atlanta in 1996.

In the grade Ib 10-time Paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson will face tough competition from Austria’s Pepo Puch, the Netherlands’ Nicole Den Dulk and Stinna Tange Kaastrup of Denmark.

In grade II Natasha Baker goes against Holland’s Rixt Van Der Horst, who took both individual titles at last year’s World Equestrian Games.

In Grade IV Belgium’s Michèle George is the rider to beat, with the Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar and Britain’s Sophie Wells aiming on doing just that.

H&H blogger Sophie Wells is now riding her direct reserve horse, Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction, an eight-year-old gelding.

The change comes after Sophie’s original ride Valerius “did not feel quite right” and it was decided in the best interests of the horse to withdraw him from the upcoming competition.

The competition gets underway tomorrow (Friday, 18 September) with the team test.

The individual tests take place on Saturday (after which the team and the first individual medals will be decided) before the weekend’s competition concludes with the individual freestyle test on Sunday.

Keep in touch with all the action with daily reports here on HorseandHound.co.uk

For more information and times visit: www.handiequicompet.fr

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Gold medal-winning Paralympic riders Sophie Christiansen and Natasha Baker (pictured left) were among the stars out for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) annual awards earlier this week.

The awards, held in London on Tuesday (30 September), raised more than £25,000 for the charity. They were presented by Clare Balding.

The most improved participant award went to six-year-old Gabriela Machado-Hayden.

“The brave six-year-old was referred to RDA in November 2013 in the hope that her profoundly hypermobile joints and lack of muscle stamina might be improved through hippotherapy,” said an RDA spokesman.

“The story of Gabi’s gradual development over the past year, from apprehension and instability to improved core strength and confidence moved everyone present, earning her the biggest applause of the night when she took to the stage.”

“Our gala awards evening is a time for us to recognise and celebrate success — in all its forms — throughout the organisation,” said RDA chief executive Ed Bracher.

“The progress made by riders such as Gabriela is a reminder of the power of horses to change lives for the better.

“We are hugely grateful for the support of our celebrity guests — particularly Clare Balding — as well as our sponsors, without whom the event simply couldn’t happen.

“The fantastic total raised on the night will help to ensure that even more riders like Gabriela can benefit from RDA’s activities.”

Others winners on the night included:

The Unicorn RDA for brilliant idea of the year

Sainsbury’s Watchmoor Park branch for best business partnership

Harvey from Lowlands Farm for RDA horse of the year

Jane Jackson for vet of the year

Ruth Urquhart from Brae RDA for volunteer of the year

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Friday was freestyle day at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and Lee Pearson showed that he is not to be intimidated. Last to go, he rode into his test looking very confident, though he said afterwards that he didn’t feel like that. He scored an affirmative 80.05%, the highest score of these para games to show that he is still “the godfather” of para dressage.

“The standard has really gone up since London, and two judges still had me as second, but Zion has been amazing,” he said afterwards.

The audience love Lee’s music, it expresses his flamboyance and emphasizes the paces of his horse as well as throwing down the gauntlet to the judges. It includes Queen’s We Are The Champions and Fame and always makes the spectators smile.

“I just like the pumping rhythm of the music, and it’s fun.” he said.

Lee’s rival Austria’s Pepo Puch, on Fine Feelings, also rode a flamboyant test to great music and scored 78%, with the Netherlands’ Nicole Den Dulk on Wallace third with 75.15%.

The Italian camp let rip with screams of joy quickly followed by tears when Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 were once again beaten by the impressive Sara Morganti on her nine-year-old Rheinlander mare Royal Delight in the grade la.

“I can’t believe it, it’s like a dream come true!” she said.

It shows how determined our para athletes are that Sophie was disappointed to go home with silver.

In the grade IV Sophie Wells and Valerius also had to contend with coming second again, to the determined and talented Belgian Michele George on FBW Rainman, and in grade II Natasha Baker suffered more bad luck when Cabral was very spooky and shied several times leaving her with an uncharacteristically low score of 65.5%.

The class was won by the Dutch rider Rixt van der Horst on Uniek, giving her a total of two gold medals to take home from these championships.

Today’s video interviews

WEG para dressage: H&H talks to Lee Pearson [VIDEO]

H&H's Madeleine Hill talks to Lee Pearson at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) about what it means to be a

WEG para dressage: Sophie Christiansen talks to H&H [VIDEO]

H&H interviews British para dressage rider Sophie Christiansen after she claimed silver in the grade Ia freestyle at the World

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen has been shortlisted for the BT Action Woman Awards.

The para dressage rider, who won 3 golds last summer, is one of 10 athletes nominated for the award. Each of the contenders has the backing of one high-profile super fan.

Sophie’s advocate is chairman of the British Olympic Association Lord Sebastian Coe.

After her success at the London Games Sophie was the most successful rider at the FEI European Para dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark this summer (21-25 August) — winning 3 golds.

“Watching Sophie win her triple gold medals at Greenwich Park, with the crowd supporting her all the way, is one of the enduring images of the London 2012 Games,” said Lord Coe.

“It comes as absolutely no surprise that Sophie repeated her success in the Europeans this year, despite the pressure of going into to it as a favourite.

“What she has done to expand understanding and raise awareness of dressage, Paralympic sport and the power of individual determination cannot be over-stated.

“I wish her all the best for the competition.”

As well as her equestrian success Sophie has also been invited to join the British Paralympic Association’s (BPA) first ever athletes’ commission and spoke at the Labour party conference.

The award will be decided by the public who can vote via the BT Sport website. Voting will close on 19 January and the winner will be announced on the Clare Balding Show on 25 January.

Other nominees on the short list are:

· Christine Ohuruogu supported by Boris Johnson

· Rachel Atherton supported by Victoria Pendleton

· Laura Robson supported by Judy Murray

· Katie Summerhayes supported by Lawrence Dallaglio

· Heather Knight supported by Mike Gatting

· Non Stanford supported by the Brownlee brothers

· Charlie Hull supported by Sir Steve Redgrave

· Natasha Dowie supported by Michael Owen

· Ellie Simmonds supported by Sir Ben Ainslie

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Paralympic star Sophie Christiansen has been sidelined for several weeks with a broken collarbone.

The 25-year-old triple Olympic gold medallist and reigning European champion was taking part in a demonstration when she fell from her top horse, Janeiro 6 (Rio).

“It was quite a public fall, but these things happen. There’s always risk in this sport. I’ll be in a sling for 2 weeks and then I will have it re x-rayed and possibly some physio,” said Berkshire-based Sophie.

Her local hospital, Wexham Park, where she went to be examined, has a ward named after her.

“I went into A&E and everyone recognised me,” she continued. “Just when I wanted to be anonymous!”

Once she has recovered from her injury, Christiansen told the official paralympic movement that she has her sights clearly set on next year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) and then on Rio 2016.

My coach [Clive Milkins] and I have a clear plan,” she said. “We want [horse] Rio to have all 3 titles — European, World and Olympic.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen has been nominated for the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) athlete of the month award for August.

Sophie was the most successful rider at the FEI European Para dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark last month (21-25 August) — winning three golds.

She took gold in the team competition, individual competition and individual freestyle in the grade Ia class riding Janerio 6.

Sophie’s freestyle test was ridden to music from the computer game The Sims.

Her 3 victories mean she has not been beaten for more than 16 months.

Other athletes short-listed for the award include Australian Erik Horrie, who won gold in the single skulls at the IPC World Rowing Championships and Ukranian Olga Sviderska who won 7 golds at the IPC Swimming World Championships.

The award will be decided by a public vote which closes on 17 September.

Register your vote now

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three of last summer’s Paralympic gold medallists are on the British para dressage team for the European Championships this week (21-25 August).

Sophie Christiansen (grade Ia) with Janeiro 6, Natasha Baker (grade II) with Cabral and Sophie Wells (grade IV) with Valerius join Anne Dunham (grade Ia) LJT Lucas Normark on the team at the event in Herning, Denmark.

Ricky Balshaw (grade Ib) and LJT Engaards Solitaire will ride as an individual.

“We’ve had a very good start to the competition. I’m very grateful to all involved in getting the team out here; the logistics went like clockwork,” said team manager David Hunter.

“The venue in Herning is great, with excellent facilities and it promises to be an exciting competition. We are all looking forward to competing over the coming week, alongside the dressage and showjumping riders.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Three Paralympic gold medal winners will be in the strong British team lining up at this summer’s para equestrian dressage European championships.

Sophie Christiansen (grade Ia, Janeiro 6), Anne Dunham (grade Ia, LJT Lucas Normark), Ricky Balshaw (grade Ib, LJT Engaards Solitaire) Natasha Baker (grade II, Cabral, pictured) and Sophie Wells (grade IV, Valerius) will all be competing. A notable absentee is long-standing rider Lee Pearson.

“The riders selected for this year’s European Championships are once again a very strong combination, covering experience and newcomers,” said David Hunter, world class performance director for paradressage.

The Europeans will be held in Denmark next month (21-25 August).

For more see this week’s issue of H&H out on Thursday (11 July).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Riders have expressed dismay that the shortlist for BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) does not contain a single equestrian.

The 12 contenders include Olympic heroes Mo Farah, Sir Chris Hoy and Jessica Ennis and tennis player Andy Murray, who won his first grand slam as well as Olympic gold this year. Gold medallist and Britain’s first winner of the Tour de France, Bradley Wiggins is the bookies’ favourite to lift the trophy on Sunday, 16 December.

Event rider Harry Dzenis reflected the feelings of many H&H readers when he tweeted: “No equestrians chosen! Charlotte Dujardin’s amazing double gold or our showjumping team’s gold was surely worthy?”

The British Grooms Association tweeted that it was great to hear Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans “commenting on the lack of equestrians in the SPOTY list”.

Chris enthused about Team GBR’s equestrians on his breakfast show during the Olympics, and persuaded the Greenwich Tavern to rename itself The Gold and Saddle.

Barbara Slater, director of BBC Sport acknowledged that the SPOTY shortlist would disappoint many in her blog.

“Team GB notched up an incredible 29 gold medals, with Paralympics GB adding a further 34.

“It was very difficult to leave off Olympians and Paralympians of the calibre of Charlotte Dujardin and triple paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen,” she said.

“In any other year these sportspeople would probably be front-runners to win the overall award,” she added.

After last year’s furore, when not a single woman was nominated for SPOTY, the BBC has made changes to the judging panel. This year’s nominees included Olympians Sir Steve Redgrave and Denise Lewis and paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

The show will be broadcast live on Sunday, 16 December at 7.35pm on BBC 1 and BBC Radio Five Live and members of the viewing public will vote on the night to decide who is crowned Sports Personality of the Year.

Winners of the team, coach and overseas sports personality of the year — who were chosen by the shortlist panel — will be announced on the night.

Andrew Finding, chief executive of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) has been campaigning for the Olympic and Paralympic riders to win the team award.

Who do you think should have made the short-list? Share your views in H&H forum

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now