PrintLexington, Ky., Oct. 7
Great Britain quite simply dominated the para dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, clinching gold for the team and six individual medals. The press conference following the medal ceremonies was downright raucous with spontaneous applause throughout and the silver-medal German team supporters popping open bottles of champagne at regular intervals.
“Every gold medal is special, but this is different because this is the first time para has been a part of the World Equestrian Games,” said Lee Pearson, a veteran of Great Britain’s para-equestrian team and the individual Grade Ib medalist.
“[We went] down in history with the gold for Great Britain and maintained the medal position, though the other teams pushed us hard this time—our lead wasn’t as comfortable as we’d like! Every single gold medal is an honor.”
Listen to an interview with Lee Pearson.
The Brits set the standard early in the competition with solid rides on the first day from Pearson and Gentleman, who posted a 73.81 percent to top the grade Ib team test. Following his performance, Anne Dunham and Teddy clinched the grade Ia team test with 71.24 percent. However, Germany and the Netherlands were nipping close on their heels after the first day of competition.
Still, it didn’t take long for Great Britain to lay claim gold once again with masterful rides from all four of their team riders in the second day of individual tests, including Sophie Christiansen on Rivaldo Of Berkeley who won both the team test on 69.52 and the individual test on 76.10 percent, and Jo Pitt on Estralita who posted 67.81 and 66.19 percent.
The team won on an overall score of 440.37, more than 20 points higher than Germany, who took silver with 420.33, and Denmark with 418.38.
“When you’re at the top of the tree, you’re there to be plucked by the people clawing up, and sometimes it’s easier to do the clawing up than to stay just ahead,” said Great Britain’s Chef d’Equipe David Hunter. “But I’m delighted these riders have continued to do that.”
The team standings were tight for silver and bronze at the end of the para-dressage team competition, and for Denmark, Stinna Tange Kaastrup’s 70.17 percent in the grade Ib team test today pushed her team into the bronze medal spot over the Netherlands, who had been in medal contention all week. After she completed her test on her adorable pony, she sneaked a quick grin to the crowd.
“I felt awesome out there,” said Kaastrup, 16. “It was definitely one of the greatest experiences of my life, amazing and overwhelming.” The crowd, who played witness to inspiring riders in every moment of the competition thus far, met Kaastrup’s performance with loud cheers. There’s little doubt that the para-equestrian athletes and their horses have defined the true spirit of the World Equestrian Games.
“I don’t have any legs, I’m in a wheelchair wherever I go,” said Kaastrup. “But when I’m on a horse, I feel equal. The horse makes me feel equal to everyone else, and that’s the coolest feeling in the world.”
