Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (“Diana”) added a 3rd bronze medal to Britain’s haul on the Paris Paralympics within the grade V particular person competitors, scoring 72.26%.
“She was so courageous going into that enviornment,” Sophie stated. “She’s actually shocked me all week, she’s been wonderful in there in coaching.
“However then you definitely go in and there’s fairly a couple of folks in there, and he or she received a bit nervous, however she’s nonetheless solely eight years outdated.
“I held her hand by the entire check, and he or she listened to me, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for that. I’m very happy however I’m additionally relieved it’s completed!”
LJT Egebjerggards Samoa was a late substitute for Sophie’s extra skilled journey Don Cara M who needed to withdraw forward of the Video games.
However regardless of this being the mare’s Paralympic debut, it was a well-known position for her, as she additionally changed Don Cara ultimately summer season’s European Championships.
Since then it’s clear to see how a lot she has developed. The pair obtained a number of eights for his or her voltes and shoulder-ins, and their counter canter work was distinctive.
A mistake within the collected stroll between the stroll pirouettes set them again, however Sophie recovered effectively, and regardless of that mistake their rating right here remains to be larger than the 71.85% they scored within the particular person check on the Europeans.
Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa throughout their grade V particular person check on the Paris Paralympics. Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
“We had bits of rigidity and it wasn’t excellent by any means, however it’s a troublesome grade, and there are some nice horses and riders right here, so I couldn’t be prouder of her,” Sophie added.
“My purpose was to be within the prime eight and get by to the freestyle. Our preparations weren’t supreme having swapped horses – I used to be actually upset for Don Cara’s homeowners, he’s such an incredible horse and we’ve by no means fairly received the chance to essentially go for it collectively but.
“At the previous few championships whoever I’ve been on they’ve not been at their max potential.
“However on the identical time, so many issues occur in life and Diana is such a cool horse, I’m so fortunate to have the ability to journey her and to have this chance. We’re simply pertaining to what she will be able to do, she simply wants extra life expertise. She’ll be one of the best horse on this planet in some unspecified time in the future.
“We’ll see if we’re on the group, after which no less than we get two extra alternatives to bounce.”
Grade V gold medal winner at Paris 2024
Reigning particular person grade V Paralympic champions Michèle George and Finest Of 8 efficiently defended their title, scoring 76.69% to complete comfortably forward of Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delights who took silver on 73.23%.
It was Michèle’s sixth Paralympic gold, and her third on Finest Of 8 – who Michèle stated is not going to be competing at one other Paralympics after Paris.
“It was wonderful, she actually felt like she was dancing with me, I loved each second of it,” she stated. “She was a bit spooky coming in as a result of she’s by no means competed in entrance of the general public earlier than, as a result of at Tokyo it was throughout the pandemic. So, that was the massive query mark I had along with her, as a result of she’s very delicate – however she was simply wonderful.”
Michèle teamed up with the 14-year-old mare in 2019, who she discovered by Isabell Werth.
“Isabell stated ‘I may need a horse for you’, and when she arrived I stated to her, ‘Mm I don’t know, she’s not the kind of horse I’d pick of the secure’. However she stated, ‘No, Michèle, belief me, it’s important to sit and have a journey’, and two seconds later, I knew she was the one.”
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Credit score: Martha Terry
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Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Natasha Baker and Daybreak Refrain take care of disagreeable climate circumstances on their strategy to successful bronze within the grade III particular person competitors.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Georgia Wilson and Sakura en path to bronze within the grade II particular person check on the Paris Paralympics.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Credit score: Future
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H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for prime dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Beneath Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
