Para dressage star Sophie Christiansen has obtained a prestigious award – as she appears to be like forward to her marriage ceremony and profession ambitions following her retirement from the saddle.
On 26 November Sophie was given a lifetime achievement award on the Selection Incapacity Sports activities Awards. The occasion, hosted by youngsters’s charity Selection, celebrates and champions the achievements of sportspeople, from rising skills to excellent people and groups. Among the many different winners, Dame Sarah Storey, the record-breaking Paralympic swimmer and bicycle owner, additionally obtained a lifetime achievement award.
Sophie informed H&H that she attended the occasion as a visitor of ParaGB and didn’t know she could be receiving an award.
“It was actually particular to be invited, and I used to be there to help ParaGB and Selection,” mentioned Sophie.
“I used to be watching together with everybody else and thought the winners have been talking so eloquently, and I assumed ‘I’m glad I’m not up there’. Then they began describing my profession and I assumed ‘Dangle on, I might need to go up and I haven’t ready a speech!’.
“I used to be so bowled over, it was a extremely beautiful shock – and to be introduced the award by my idol Tanni Gray-Thompson was simply unbelievable.”
Earlier this month Sophie introduced her retirement after a 20-year competitors profession, during which she gained 30 senior championship medals. Sophie is now trying to the longer term and has plans to fill her additional time.
“Firstly, I’m nonetheless on the lookout for a house for my horse William. I really like him however I have to promote him in order that I can correctly retire. He’s one of many sweetest horses I’ve identified, he’s wonderful as a grade one horse however he’s so versatile – my coach has been competing him at superior medium,” she mentioned.
“I’m planning my marriage ceremony, which is in July, and one thing to stay up for. I additionally need to work extra now that I’ve the time. My employer Goldman Sachs have been wonderful letting me do my sport, however now I need to deal with my profession.”
Sophie additionally has plans to offer again to maintain giving again to the game.
“I need to assist British Dressage, British Equestrian and the Using for the Disabled Affiliation to make the game extra accessible once more,” she mentioned.
“It’s change into so costly, and once I look again my dad and mom, who’re academics, would by no means have been capable of afford to assist me get into using as it’s now, so I need to assist generate a bit extra money within the sport.”
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Sophie Christiansen after successful freestyle gold on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Video games.
Credit score: PA Archive/PA Photos
Credit score: Future
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H&H senior information author
Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has coated a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call just some. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fortress Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to house. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
