Paralympics dressage grade V freestyle: Britain’s Sophie Wells fourth

Paralympics dressage: Sophie Wells and Don Cara M contest the grade V freestyle in Tokyo — Sophie Wells riding Don Cara M in the grade V freestyle at the Tokyo Paralympics.

(Image credit: John Walton/PA Images)

Britain’s Sophie Wells came away from the Paralympics dressage freestyle without a medal after finishing fourth in her grade V class today on Don Cara M.

Sophie scored 73.56%, some 3% behind the medals, but said she couldn’t be disappointed looking her week overall. Don Cara M, owned by Roland Kinch, is a championship debutant who was originally the rider’s reserve mount for the Tokyo Paralympics.

“The mare was just fantastic,” said Michele. “I’m a bit speechless because coming over here with a youngster – for me she’s still a youngster – and showing the world what she’s capable of, it’s just genius. I knew she could, but I thought it was maybe a little bit early to show everyone. At home, she can work like a queen, but as I always say, at home is at home. They are all superstars at home.”

“Once you’re riding into the arena, you don’t look at the scores,” she said. “I knew he had a huge score, but I thought, well the mare feels good. So I come into that arena and I push and go to the limit and I try to make something even better. That’s the spirit. You don’t have the focus on what the others do. I have to focus on my own horse and how she presents herself and that’s magic in freestyle, especially with younger horses because then you really can dance.”

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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.

Sophie Wells fourth in Paralympic freestyle: ‘I can’t be disappointed – he’s been amazing this week’

Paralympics dressage freestyle: Gold for Michele George

Michele described this as a “historical moment” for her. It is the second time she’s taken both individual golds in her grade of Paralympics dressage, after doing the same at London 2012 on FBW Rainman.

Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp took the bronze on Highlander Delight’s with 76.82%, after fourth in last week’s individual test.

The Paralympics dressage continues with the freestyle medal showdowns in three remaining grades still to come today.

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‘I’m overwhelmed with emotion’: how Sophie Wells won Tokyo Paralympics silver on the ‘Ferrari’ Don Cara M