It was triple gold for Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Hong Kong as the team won gold by a handsome margin. Lee Pearson (pictured right) and Anne Dunham won their individual grades and Sophie Christiansen finished in the silver medal position behind Anne.
The team, made up of Lee, Anne, and Sophie as well as grade III rider Simon Laurens, finished over 20 points ahead of the Germans. The German team included today’s individual grade III gold medallist Hannelore Brenner riding Women of the World. Norway claimed the bronze. The medal ceremony will be held on Thursday night to close the equestrian events.
Lee Pearson’s win in the individual grade 1b riding the inexperienced seven-year-old Gentleman brought his paralympic gold tally up to a remarkable total of 10 and he has a chance to add in Thursday’s freestyle. “I am over the moon,” said Lee who has achieved the feat riding three different horses.
Anne Dunham’s ride Teddy has proved a real find. The welsh cob arrived through a colleague of Anne’s daughter. “He has come on so much,” she said, “and he loves to show off in front of an audience.” For Anne, a veteran of four Paralympic Games, and a past team gold medallist, this was a first and well deserved individual title
Sophie had to sit and suffer after going into the lead with Lambrusco III as Anne was one of the last to go. “I thought we had a chance of winning but I am thrilled to get silver,” she said.
Just Felicity Coulthard competes for the British squad tomorrow when the action centres on the grade II and IV freestyle championships, with the rest riding on Thursday when the remaining freestyle medals in the grade 1a, 1b and III’s are decided.
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