Multi-Medallist Line-Up Named to Represent ParalympicsGB in Equestrian at Rio 2016
The British Paralympic Association confirmed a high-calibre squad of five para-equestrian riders to represent ParalympicsGB at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, each a multiple Paralympic medallist in their own right.
Natasha Baker MBE, Sophie Christiansen OBE, Anne Dunham MBE, Lee Pearson CBE and Sophie Wells MBE brought 13 Games’ worth of experience between them and a shared haul of 30 Paralympic medals.
Great Britain had been at the forefront of the sport since its inception at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympic Games, winning team gold at every Paralympic Games since. Beyond the Paralympic arena, the team also held an unbeaten record on the European and World stage despite increasing international competition.
A Squad Built on Experience
Sophie Christiansen OBE set her sights on Rio to defend the three Paralympic titles she won at London 2012. Reflecting on her selection, she said: “To be selected for my fourth Paralympic Games is an absolute honour; it’s funny that I’m now seen as a veteran at the grand old age of 28.
“I can’t wait to see what Rio has to offer. It will be a very different Games to London, but I think my time in Athens and Beijing has prepared me well. The challenges I’ve faced this year have made me come out even stronger, and hopefully I’ll emulate what I did in London – that’s my goal.”
Christiansen added that the Paralympic Games had grown enormously since her debut in Athens, with the standard, media interest and spectator numbers all rising. She described London 2012 as the pinnacle of the movement and expressed hope that supporters would get behind the team again.
Lee Pearson CBE, who made his debut in Sydney, had by then won ten Paralympic gold medals, placing him within touching distance of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dame Sarah Storey, who each held eleven. “I’m really happy, but I was shocked when I was told, as I was for every other Paralympic Games,” he said. “Until you’re told, you never quite believe it’s possible. It’s very surreal to be heading to my fifth Games.” He also reflected on how far para-dressage had developed and how strong Great Britain’s riders had become.
Strength in Depth
Penny Briscoe MBE, Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB, said: “There are few sports that can boast such a strong track record at Paralympic level, but the huge strength in depth of this squad is clearly on display. No matter what their past achievements are, each athlete has had to consistently perform at their best in order to earn selection for Rio. As competition grows tougher, there will be no complacency, and however calm they may appear in the arena, they will fiercely battle their rivals for medals.”
Dan Hughes, Team Leader for equestrian, added: “It is an extremely strong squad that has every chance of maintaining the excellent record GBR holds in para-equestrian dressage. We go to Rio with high expectations, yet in the full knowledge that each and every medal will be hard fought for.”
The announcement took the number of selected athletes on the ParalympicsGB team to 188, across 17 sports.
The Selected Equestrian Athletes
- Natasha Baker MBE with Christian Landolt, Phil and Lorraine Baker’s Cabral
- Sophie Christiansen OBE with Diane Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg
- Anne Dunham MBE with the Lady Joseph Trust and Henrietta Cheetham’s Lucas Normark
- Lee Pearson CBE with David and Lynda Pearson, Gillian Chinn and his own Zion
- Sophie Wells MBE with her own Valerius