Pearson wins ninth gold as GB rides supreme
Monday 15 September 2008
Lee Pearson won his ninth Paralympic title as Britain took two golds and three silvers on the final day of competition in Hong Kong.
Pearson won in impressive style with 77.06% as the British team proved they are the masters of freestyle, taking Paralympic GB’s 2008 equestrian medal haul to 10 – the most ever at a Paralympic Games.
“I want to cry, but I can’t,” said an overwhelmed Pearson. “I can’t believe we made it a one, two. I’m over the moon with my 100% success rate.”
Pearson, who has won three golds at three consecutive Paralympics, was equally delighted for team-mate Ricky Balshaw who finished second to take his first medal.
“I rode my arse off and I couldn’t have done any more,” said Shropshire-based Balshaw. “This is a great venue, the people are great, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
“Ricky and I have worked so hard,” added Staffordshire-based Pearson. “I’m exhausted but I just want to enjoy my success, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.
Pearson’s feat is even more remarkable given that he only established a partnership with his horse Gentleman in January. He paid tribute to everyone who had supported him, particularly the British team and his family.
“I was more nervous for these three competitions than I have ever been for any competition in my life,” he said. “I rode my heart out and I don’t think Gentleman will ever know how much he has changed my life.”
Grade III rider Simon Laurens, who performed his test in the morning session of his competition, joined the medal party by adding silver to the overall tally with a Latin-inspired performance to a Ricky Martin soundtrack.
“At last, I am over the moon,” said Gloucestershire-based Laurens, who clinched his medal with a score of 73.5%. “That’s much more like Ocean Diamond. I’m pleased for the horse and myself.
“I chose the soundtrack because I don’t like boring music. It’s lively for me and the horse likes it as well. He’s a little Latin mover. It’s been awesome, amazing. I’ve had ups and downs but to finish like that is great.”
Debbie Criddle could not add to the three gold medals she won in Athens as she missed out on the bronze by a tenth with a score of 73.11% in the high scoring grade III competition.
“This is the biggest occasion the horse has ever been to,” said Taunton-based Criddle. “The atmosphere here is wonderful but it is just too much for him at this point. Next year we’ll be so much better, he just needs to learn a bit more.”
Earlier in the evening Sophie Christiansen and Anne Dunham won gold and silver respectively in the grade 1a competition meaning Britain’s riders won five gold and five silver medals.
(As reported by www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk)
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