The British para dressage entries for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games have been revealed today (14 June).
This list features a mix of experienced combinations, multiple medal-winners and rising stars – both riders and horses.
A squad of four will be chosen from this list to compete in Paris – of these, three will be part of the team, and one will compete as an individual.
Natasha Baker on Keystone Dawn Chorus and Sophie Wells with Don Cara M (pictured, top) were part of the gold medal-winning British team in Tokyo, where Georgia Wilson also won a brace of medals as an individual aboard Sakura.
Mari Durward-Akhurst is the new world number one, across all grades, following a sensational run of form with Athene Lindebjerg – a mare who has had exceptional championship success with several British riders.
Eight-time Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen is among the entries with a relatively new ride. Gabriella Blake and Charlotte Cundall made strong debuts at their senior championship debuts at the 2023 Europeans, while multiple medallist Erin Orford is named with two horses – including C Fatal Attraction, who has won countless medals with Sophie Wells. This would be a first senior championship for Nicola Naylor, who is on a winning-streak with her named ride.
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The British para dressage nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Paralympics are as follows:
Grade I
Gabriella Blake with 15-year-old Strong Beau
Owners: rider, Gavin and Estelle Blake
Breeder: S Amos
Breeding: by Spinway Blackthorn, out of a Balda Beau mare
Sophie Christiansen with 13-year-old Gladstone
Owner: Rider
Breeder: JHDekker
Breeding: by Bodyguard Moorland, out of a Santano mare
Mari Durward-Akhurst with 17-year-old Athene Lindebjerg
Owner: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine
Breeders: Mr and Mrs Bech
Breeding: by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Alberte Lindebjerg
Grade II
Georgia Wilson with eight-year-old Faside Got The Love
Owners: rider and her parents, Geoff and Julie Wilson
Breeder: V Sandison
Breeding: by Grey Flanell, out of a mare by San Amour
Georgia Wilson with 10-year-old Sakura
Owners: rider, and her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson
Breeder: G Eilberg
Breeding: by Supertramp, out of a mare by Rockstar
Grade III
Natasha Baker with 13-year-old Keystone Dawn Chorus
Owners: Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and Natasha’s parents Phil and Lorraine Baker
Breeder: S Lavendera
Breeding: by Dimaggio, out of a mare by Escudo
Erin Orford with eight-year-old Dragons Fire
Owners: Neil and Jackie Walker, and Sophie Wells
Breeding: by De Niro, out of a mare by E.H.Hohenstein
Erin Orford with 17-year-old C Fatal Attraction
Owner: Charlotte Hogg
Breeder: EE Brandon
Breeding: by Fidertanz, out of a mare by Tolivi
Grade IV
Nicola Naylor with 12-year-old Humberto L
Owners: rider and Rosalind Emery Kay
Breeder: J. Lamers
Breeding: by Cachet L, out of a mare by Haarlem
Grade V
Charlotte Cundall with 14-year-old FJ VeyronOwners: The Veyron PartnershipBreeder: Active Equestrian GBRBreeding: by Vivaldi, out of a mare by Fidermark
Sophie Wells with 15-year-old Don Cara MOwner: Rowland KinchBreeder: HM MelisBreeding: by Don Jovi, out of a mare by Rafurstinels
Sophie Wells with eight-year-old LJT Egebjerggards SamoaOwners: The Lady Joseph TrustBreeder: Anders Green HansenBreeding: by St Schufo, out of a mare by Gribaldi
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
