The British team has retained its European title and unbeaten team record, taking gold at the FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage European Championships in Deauville, France.
Medal haul
As expected, the Brits had a battle on their hands, with new European stars keeping them off the top spot in the most of the individual competitions.
However, they still headed home with an impressive haul of 11 medals – three gold andeight silver – despite many of the riders competing on horses with no experience at championship level.
European, World and Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen maintained her gold standard, winning both the individual (79.565%) and the freestyle (80.700%) in the Grade Ia, riding her new horse Athene Lindebjerg.
Challenging times
It’s been a challenging time for Sophie, who had to adjust to a new trainer as well as a new horse, but in addition to winning two golds, she achieved the highest scores across the five grades on all three days.
“When they told me the result [of the individual] I cried because I’ve had so much change recently,” said Sophie. “I’m so proud of my whole team for coming together and they’re amazing and the horse is just phenomenal.
Team mate Anne Dunham won individual (76.261%) and freestyle (76,300%) silver, riding Lucas Normark
“It’s still a massive thrill to get on the podium,” said Anne. “I’m 67 next week, and I’m loving every minute of it, it still feels as good as when I first started. My daughter is here grooming and my sister is here as my carer. They’re such an important part, they’re all brilliant and without them I couldn’t do it.”
‘Proudest mum’
Natasha Baker also won silver in the Grade II individual (72.857%) and freestyle (74.450%) riding her new partner Sookie St James, who is just eight years old. The Netherlands’ Rixt Van Der Horst, who was making her European Championships debut,beat her to gold both times.
“It’s Sookie’s first medal,” said Natasha. “To come home with silver, I’m just the proudest mum. She’s just exceeded my expectations and taken it all in her stride.”
In the Grade IV it was Sophie Wells turn to bring home silver in the individual (71.833%) and freestyle (79.000%). She was riding C Fatal Attraction, who was also competing in his first major championship.
Gold once again went to the Netherlands in both competitions, courtesy of an emotional Frank Hosmar, who won his first major medal at the Europeans after a succession of silvers and bronzes.
‘Beyond chuffed’
Sophie asked Tom Hunt – composer of Charlotte Dujardin’s record-breaking Freestyle scores – to arrange the music in preparation for the Rio Olympics.
“It was finalised two weeks ago and I ran through it at squad training and just loved it,” said Sophie. “I thought come on ‘Jorge’, European Championships – do your first pirouettes! I’m beyond chuffed with him.”
Lee Pearson and Zion were the last of the British combinations to win silver. They were second in the individual (71.724%) and the freestyle (74.050%) behind Austria’s Pepo Puch.
“He was a little bit tired today,” said Lee after the Freestyle. “We’ve experimented a little with the warm-up a bit this week, but today he didn’t feel on full form and I didn’t actually expect to be in the medals, so to get a silver I’m over the moon.”
Outstanding scores
World Class Performance Manager David Hunter said he was “delighted and thrilled” with the results.
“I’m particularly pleased that it’s been achieved with outstanding scores from some new and young horse combinations,” he said. “But there’s no room for complacency and the result proves how good the state of international para-equestrian dressage is, which is fantastic for the sport.
“It’s a great position to be in a year away from the Paralympic Games.”