British para dressage legend Sophie Christiansen retires after a 20-year competitors profession, by which she has gained 30 senior championship medals for Britain.
Sophie made the announcement as we speak (5 November) however joked that “you gained’t eliminate me that simply”, as she intends to work throughout the sport to assist others obtain their desires.
“I used to be as soon as instructed, ‘when you understand, you understand’,” Sophie stated. “I used to surprise what this meant, however now I realise that I’m extra excited concerning the potentialities of what I may do exterior the game than doing one other four-year cycle of highs and lows as an athlete.
“It took an entire military to assist me accomplish what I’ve, from my coaches to my household, [Riding for the Disabled Association] RDA volunteers to PE lecturers, my PAs to my PTs, and naturally those that have helped me fundraise and have donated so generously. I can’t even start to place into phrases how humbled I’m by your perception and assist.
“I clearly can’t title you all, however I hope that you know the way extremely grateful I’m. To have the ability to type unbelievable partnerships with such sort, proficient horses has been a privilege and an honour.”
Sophie stated it goes with out saying how a lot para dressage has given her.
“Sport has empowered me to redefine what I assumed was potential, to maintain breaking obstacles in all areas of my life,” she stated. “I began driving with the RDA once I was six years outdated with the intention to assist with my incapacity. Coming from a non-horsey household, I doubt that I might have ever sat on a horse with out the RDA. Folks started seeing my potential as a teen and recommended that I began para dressage at South Bucks RDA. I’ve at all times been aggressive, so with the ability to discover a sport that I may excel at was an entire sport changer! South Bucks RDA guided me fastidiously from being categorised, to competing on the RDA Nationals, to changing into chosen for my first Paralympic Video games at simply 16 years outdated – three years after taking on the game.”
That first Video games was in Athens 2004, the primary Paralympics at which riders have been on their very own horses. However Sophie rode Hotstuff, who belonged to her teammate Nicola Tustain. On the age of 16, Sophie gained her first medal, a bronze. She competed at 4 successive Paralympics, including eight gold medals and a silver to her tally.
“I’m so indebted as the entire expertise [of Athens] modified my life,” Sophie stated. “As a teen with a incapacity, I used to be very shy and self-conscious about my speech impairment, however seeing these superb disabled athletes getting on with their lives and joking about it on the identical time, I wished to be seen on this optimistic mild too. After all, now you all may have seen this on TV, however again then I had by no means seen the Paralympics within the media. I gained a particularly surprising bronze medal which lit the fireplace in me to go on and win 27 European, world and Paralympic gold medals for Nice Britain.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a extremely nice assist workforce round me to have the ability to keep on my schooling alongside fulfilling my sporting desires. Elite sport has taught me so many various expertise that I used to be in a position to obtain a first-class masters diploma and begin a profession at a prestigious firm as a software program developer in London.”
Sophie Christiansen retires having additionally been awarded an MBE within the 2009 New 12 months Honours record for providers to disabled sport and an OBE within the 2012 New 12 months Honours record. That yr, Sophie grew to become a triple gold medallist on the London Paralympics, which she stated was “past my wildest desires”.
“Having my brother and cousins begin a chant of “We love you, Sophie!” by 10,000 spectators was simply insane!” she stated. “The reminiscences nonetheless give me goosebumps. It was right here that my double life as a Paralympic gold medallist with a profession gave me a platform to focus on the obstacles that disabled folks face in society. I hope that in a roundabout way I could make a distinction and create a extra equitable world.
“The most effective evening of my life (earlier than my marriage ceremony to Peter subsequent yr!) was BBC Sport Character of the 12 months 2016. I used to be so shocked to be nominated amongst 16 sporting celebrities. My mission on the evening was to not come final! The BBC made an incredible video about my story, which I feel actually resonated with the general public. In the course of the dwell present, solely the highest three have been introduced. I keep in mind I used to be standing with my household on the afterparty, when Clare Balding, who has recognized me since I used to be 16 years outdated, got here working as much as me with the ultimate outcomes saying “Sophie! Sophie! You got here fifth!”. To be ranked so extremely amongst sporting royalty was simply unbelievable.”
Sophie Christiansen retires loved unbelievable experiences by her sport, and bonded with many “outstanding” horses.
“In recent times, I’ve wished to offer again to the game I’ve cherished a lot,” she stated.
“A part of this was to create a neighborhood of supporters by Sophie’s Gold Membership (SGC) to convey folks nearer to the motion of para dressage. Via SGC ambassadors, I’ve mentored up-and-coming riders, supporting them on their very own journeys. I need to work alongside the RDA, British Dressage and British Equestrian to proceed introducing folks to the world of para dressage in order that when one other ‘me’ comes alongside, they’ll additionally obtain their desires. You gained’t eliminate me that simply!
“Sadly, I can’t simply grasp my bike within the storage or put my swimming costume in a drawer, I nonetheless have [my horse] William to consider. I might love to search out him a loving residence the place this candy stallion can be adored as a lot as he’s by me.”
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Britain secures a gold and two silvers to make sure medals at each degree in each check on the ultimate day
Credit score: Getty Photographs
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Obtain our Nick Skelton masks and share your photos of Sophie on social media #SPOTY
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H&H information editor
Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all elements of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of alternative is showjumping, by which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping exhibits by to worldwide championships.
