The selection is headed by triple gold medallist Lee Pearson, who will compete in grade 1b, who will take part in his fourth Paralympic Games aboard his horse Gentleman.

Pearson has a remarkable record, having won three first-place medals each at Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

He said of his selection: "It's a huge relief to get the nod and a great honour to be going to my fourth Paralympic Games, the feeling still has not worn off.

"We have a very strong squad and with the home crowd behind you the support there will be great, but there will be that extra added pressure.

"I do not think I'll ever be going to a Games in this country again and I really cannot wait to get there."

Deb Criddle (Grade III), on LJT Akilles (pictured below), will compete along with Pearson in her fourth Paralympics while Sophie Christiansen (Grade 1a) is to take part in her third Games.

The trio have won 14 medals between them at previous Paralympic Games.


Christiansen, who will ride Janeiro 6, also won both team and freestyle gold in Beijing four years ago.

"I'm so excited – it's just phenomenal to be going," she said.

"London definitely feels more special, even fewer athletes ever get to experience a home Games and there will be so many of my friends and family there to cheer us on.

"At Athens, the venue was quite far out and in 2008 we were in Hong Kong, so to have such an iconic equestrian venue right in the heart of London will be amazing."

Natasha Baker (Grade II) and Sophie Wells (Grade IV) will both be competing in their first Paralympics.

Baker, who will partner Cabral, only made her senior team debut last year but became the European individual and freestyle champion while Wells, aboard Pinocchio this summer, took gold in last year's European Championships and the Worlds in 2010.

Anne Dunham, with Teddy, will be the first reserve for the team.

Britain will hope to repeat its success from Beijing four years ago where it came top of the equestrian medal table after taking five golds, including first place in the team category (pictured below).

The team has also won team gold in the last four successive Paralympic Games since the sport was introduced at Atlanta 1996.


The team won 13 medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky two years ago, while Criddle, Baker and Wells all went to the European Championships last year as part of the women's team which won eight golds.

David Hunter, the equestrian team leader, said: "Great Britain will be sending what I believe to be one of the strongest and best prepared squads to the Paralympic Games.

"It's been a tough few months for all riders, particularly as the new FEI rules allow for a maximum of five competitors to compete in London – previous Games had allowed seven riders."

"This team is truly world class", said Craig Hunter, Chef de Mission of ParalympicsGB.

"These athletes have excellent track records both as individuals and in the team event."

The equestrian competitionis due to take place from August 30 to September 4.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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