Multi-medallists to represent ParalympicsGB in equestrian at Rio 2016
The British Paralympic Association (BPA) today confirmed the five equestrian riders that will represent ParalympicsGB at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, each a multi-Paralympic medallist in their own right.
Natasha Baker MBE, Sophie Christiansen OBE, Anne Dunham MBE, Lee Pearson CBE and Sophie Wells MBE have 13 Games’ worth of experience between them and a shared haul of 30 Paralympic medals.
Great Britain has been at the forefront of the sport since its inception at the Paralympic Games in Atlanta 1996 and has won team gold at every Paralympic Games since.
Outside of the Paralympic arena, the team also have an unbeaten record on the European and World stage despite increasing international competition.
Sophie Christiansen OBE is setting her sights on Rio to defend the three Paralympic titles that she won at London 2012. 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."
Today’s announcement takes the number of selected athletes on the ParalympicsGB team to 188, across 17 sports.
Selected athletes, equestrian:
- 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 [LJT] Lucas Normark.
- Lee Pearson CBE with David and Lynda Pearson, Gillian Chinn and his own Zion.
- Sophie Wells MBE with her own Valerius.
