The unbeaten gold medal run looks set to continue for Britain’s Para-dressage squad, with Team GB firmly in pole position.
Grade IV
Sophie Wells was the first British rider to compete this morning, and she scored 74.548% with Valerius.
The gelding has competed in the previous two European Championships, but this was his first World Equestrian Games.
“It’s his biggest competition so far,” said Sophie. “He’s shown improvement and we can now build on that for the rest of the competition. He missed a few competitions in the build-up for one reason and another but he’s in a much better place to be able to produce those bigger scores.”
Close behind in second was Belgian rider Michele George, who rode FBW Rainman to finish less than 1% in arrears.
Grade II
Natasha Baker has enjoyed so much success at international level since making her squad debut in 2011.
She produced the goods once again today, scoring 73.647% on her 13-year-old gelding Cabral to win ahead of Dutch rider Rix van der Horst.
“Hewarmed up really well but I probably did too much so I knew I’d really have to work in there,” said Natasha. “But he just found energy from nowhere as he usually does.”
Grade Ia
Sophie Christiansen has enjoyed an unbeaten run at Para championships but today she had to settle for third place after her horse was pestered by an insect at the start of their test.
“It wasn’t easy in there today. While I was walking round, before we went down the centre line, a fly started following us and it followed us right up the centre line. He tried to shake it off, these things happen. He was relaxed and rhythmical but maybe lacked the consistency for a better score.”
The top spot went toItaly’s Sara Morganti with Royal Delight, whileSingapore’s Laurentia Tan andRuben James 2 were second.
The team competition and the first batch of individual medals will be decided tomorrow and Thursday.