Britain is sending an exceptionally strong team to Rio in the hope of claiming another Paralympic team gold medal.
Top squad
The squad comprises Natasha Baker MBE Sophie Christiansen OBE Anne Dunham MBE Lee Pearson CBE and Sophie Wells MBE. Between them they have been to 13 Paralympic Games and won an incredible 30 Paralympic medals.
The Brits have won team gold at every Paralympic Games since para-dressage was introduced in Atlanta in 1996.
“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” said Sophie Christiansen.
“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 Paralympic Games has grown massively since I made my debut in Athens; the standard across sports has really grown in that time – including both media and spectators and I can’t wait to see where it goes in the future. I think that London was the pinnacle of the Paralympic Games and I really hope that even though it’s not a home Games that people will get behind us again.”
Going for gold
Lee Pearson has won ten gold medals in Paralympic competition being only Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dame Sarah Storey who each have 11 gold medals to their name.
“I’m really happy but I was shocked when I was told as I was for every other Paralympic Games – until you’re told you never quite believe it’s possible until you’ve actually been selected. I am really really happy it’s very surreal to be heading to my fifth Games and makes me sound very old!”” said Lee.
Track record
Penny Briscoe MBE Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB reflected on the strength of the chosen squad.
“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 here. No matter what their past achievements are each athlete has had to to consistently perform at their best in order to earn their selection for Rio.
“As competition grows tougher we know that there will be no complacency from our equestrian riders and that however calm and composed they may appear in the arena they will fiercely battle their Paralympic rivals for medals in Rio.”
Selected riders
Natasha Baker with Christian Landolt Phil and Lorraine Baker’s Cabral
Sophie Christiansen with Diane Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg
Anne Dunham with the Lady Joseph Trust and Henrietta Cheetham’s [LJT] Lucas Normark
Lee Pearson CBE with David and Lynda Pearson Gillian Chinn and his own Zion
Sophie Wells with her own Valerius