British Paralympic gold medal-winning horse Don Cara M (pictured, high) has been dominated out of Paris, so Sophie Wells will as an alternative accomplice rising star Egebjerggards Samoa at subsequent month’s Video games (3 to 7 September).
Sophie and Don Cara M (Donnie), owned by Rowland Kinch, helped Britain to crew gold on the Tokyo Paralympics, the place in addition they bagged grade V particular person silver. It was introduced right now (19 August) that the 15-year-old gelding won’t compete in Paris owing to “a minor veterinary difficulty”.
He can be changed on the British squad by Sophie’s direct reserve experience Egebjerggards Samoa, an eight-year-old mare owned by The Woman Joseph Belief.
Sophie Wells and Egebjerggards Samoa on their solution to taking freestyle bronze on the European Para Dressage Championships 2023.
This elegant Blue Hors St Schufro daughter wowed on her championship debut on the 2023 Europeans. Though she was comparatively inexperienced – as anticipated at solely seven years previous – she confirmed huge potential in her performances as she scooped freestyle and crew bronze. She has continued to impress on outings this yr, together with a large new freestyle private better of +82% at Wellington in June. Sophie has been making ready each horses in tandem.
“Whereas that is solely a minor veterinary difficulty, horse welfare is at all times our high precedence and due to this fact it’s not in Donnie’s greatest curiosity to compete in Paris. We’d wish to thank his proprietor, Rowland Kinch, for his unwavering help by way of this course of,” mentioned British Equestrian para dressage efficiency supervisor Georgina Sharples.
“The proficient Egebjerggards Samoa (Diana) will now make her Paralympic debut. It’s a lucky place to be in that, in Donnie and Diana, now we have two of one of the best Grade V horses on the earth and I look ahead to seeing Diana step into that tremendous area at Versailles.”
Paris can be Sophie’s fourth Paralympic Video games. British horses and riders will shortly be travelling to their UK prep camp, earlier than travelling to Paris on 29 August.
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Credit score: Future
Natasha Baker offers a thumbs up after her efficiency within the grade III particular person take a look at on the Tokyo Paralympic Video games.
Credit score: Getty Photographs
The solar rises over the Olympic dressage area at Versailles.
Credit score: Martha Terry
A “pleasant” horse in motion on the Tokyo Video games.
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H&H senior information author
Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound crew in 2015, Lucy has reported from main world sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call just a few. She has coated present affairs and sports activities information throughout the total spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, trade information and court docket circumstances.
