GB Paralympic Equestrian Team Prepare to Defend Team Gold
Thursday, September 04, 2008
The British Para-Equestrian Dressage team begin their Paralympic battle on Sunday, hoping to defend their individual medal titles and scoop a fourth consecutive gold in the hotly contested team competition. With seven riders making up the squad, the GB team is in a strong position, coming to the games as reining World and Paralympic Champions. The athletes and team managers are taking nothing for granted though as they head towards one of their toughest challenges yet.
Great Britain has a great history at the Paralympic Games and Para-Equestrian Dressage is no exception, winning seven medals in Athens and 13 medals in last year’s World Championships. Great Britain has never been beaten in the Paralympic equestrian events, which have been part of the programme since 1996 and Britain have won team Gold on every occasion.
Equestrian Team Leader Will Connell comments, “The whole team is on good form and dealing with any issues that may crop up. Preparation is going as well as we hoped; it’s always difficult to judge the opposition until the competition starts, but we have done all we can to ensure our team is as well prepared as possible.”
Six time Paralympic Gold medalist Lee Pearson comments, “I’m looking forward to the competition starting, doing the business and getting it done. I have a new horse which obviously brings concerns of course, but I will ride to my best and hope to medal. Three golds would be lovely. The village is really good - there are pros and cons to not being in Beijing, but in a big village where there is so much to do, it is easy to get tired. Here there is opportunity to rest, but space to get out and be an individual. The location is excellent and it is easy to get about by scooter or shuttle.”
Experienced Paralympian, 59-year-old Anne Dunham comments, “I’m quietly confident; I’m really enjoying it out here and looking forward to shooting for gold. The venue is fantastic and the stables excellent. Teddy travelled and recovered really well and all is going to plan.”
Ricky Balshaw, reserve rider in Athens makes his debut in the team and said, “I’m enjoying it in Hong Kong, it’s such a great experience; the village is awesome with everything we need. Having access to food and drink at any time is great! My horse Deacon’s Giorgi is heading the right way and looking promising. I think the competition for team medals is between GB, Germany and Norway, but the South Africans also have some new horses and good riders.”
Squad newcomer Simon Laurens added, “Getting around Hong Kong is easy. The train is excellent and everyone is very friendly. I have been pleasantly surprised by how easily I’ve found it to ride in the heat and have ridden in my competition jacket and coped well. Ocean Diamond travelled well and has recovered well and I’m very pleased with how he’s going. I believe he will be spot on at just the right time.”
20-year-old Athens bronze medallist Sophie Christiansen comments, “Paralympic Games are so different to anything else it’s such a highlight. It’s great being in Hong Kong, I feel very much part of the games even though we are not in the main hub in Beijing. There are so many volunteers here working hard to give us the Paralympic experience. We gave Lambrusco a few days to recover as he was a little dehydrated after the flight, but he is absolutely fine now. The vet has been great and my horse is getting used to the atmosphere.”
Deborah Criddle goes into her third Paralympics, defending triple gold titles from Athens in 2004. She comments, “My horse is going better than I anticipated he would be at this stage. The acclimatisation work we did at home has prepared us well and I am happy riding in the conditions. The village is even better than I expected, everyone here is very friendly and helpful and the transport to the venue is very easy.”
Paralympic first timer Felicity Coulthard comments, “Everything is going really well. Being here in Hong Kong is an amazing experience and I am looking forward to the competition starting. My horse Roffelaar travelled well and it’s great to be here with him.”
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opens on September 6. The equestrian events at the Games take place in Hong Kong at the Sha Tin Racecourse and will run from September 7 to 11. Four members of the squad will ride in the team competition that takes place on Sunday.
