Britain’s para team wins gold for the fourth consecutive time, remaining unbeaten since the introduction of the equestrian events in 1996, at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics in Hong Kong, 7-11 September.

 

The team of Lee Pearson (pictured), Anne Dunham, Sophie Christiansen and Simon Laurens notched up a score of 439.608, a huge lead of more than 26 points over Germany. The best three team test scores from Sunday and today’s individual test scores were added together to decide the medal positions.

 

Pearson, who is competing at his third Paralympics, won three gold medals at the Sydney Games in 2000 and three at Athens in 2004. Here, he added team gold and grade Ib individual gold to take that tally to eight. Pearson won the individual test with an incredible lead of more than 4% on 73.238%.

 

Pearson, who was riding the seven-year-old Gentleman, said: “For an inexperienced, young horse in a big atmosphere, I couldn’t have asked for more. It’s crazy to have a 100 per cent success at the Paralympics on three different horses. It’ll take time for this to sink in, but hopefully it’ll change my life as it shows I’m definitely not a ‘flash in the pan’.”

 

Britain’s grade Ia riders were also in a league of their own, making it a one-two with Anne Dunham taking gold and Sophie Christiansen winning silver in the individual test. Dunham and Teddy scored 73.1% with Christiansen and Lambrusco III on 72.8%.

 

Dunham said: “I am elated to at last win individual gold on a horse I produced myself. It’s been a long time coming as I’ll be 60 this year, so it’s an early birthday present. I’m so grateful to my owners, support team and my country.”

 

Britain’s two grade III riders, team member Simon Laurens and individual contestant Debbie Criddle had a disappointing day with both of their horses reacting to the atmosphere. Criddle and Pavaroti finished fifth, while Laurens and Ocean Diamond were eighth.

 

Criddle said: “I’m absolutely gutted because a medal was within my grasp. He was spooky and unpredictable from the beginning. I lost it in one movement and then couldn’t remember where to go next. I lost ten marks and you can’t win if you lose that many.”

 

Laurens experienced similar problems: “The horse warmed up like a star, but then went down the centre line and something startled him in the corner. He was tense and it was a survival task after that. These things happen. You have to pick yourself up, smile and crack on.”

 

Riding as an individual at his first Paralympics, Ricky Balshaw (grade Ib) and Deacon’s Giorgi finished fifth in the individual test.

 

Felicity Coulthard contests the grade II individual freestyle tomorrow, Wednesday, while the remaining six British riders have their chance to win a freestyle medal on Thursday, the final day of the equestrian events.

 

For the full results and start lists, click here.