last updated on June 07, 2010 16:58

Para dressage's World Class Performance rider Sophie Wells (20) was selected to receive a prestigious Sports Performance Award at the inaugural ceremony held last week (27 May). From thousands of nominees, Sophie was selected for the shortlist of three – which included Tom Daley and Jessica Ennis - and went on to win.

The award, which was presented by Lord Coe and TV journalist and presenter Kate Silverton, was awarded for not only sporting achievements but also for what challenges have been faced and the journey to get there.

“I was so shocked to win the award – it still hasn’t sunk in,” said Sophie. “It’s a real honor to be recognised in this way, especially when I was up against such stiff competition – Tom and Jessica are such inspirational athletes.”

Lord Coe said of his involvement in the awards: “I am delighted to support The Performance Awards. By telling great stories, we hope to inspire others to consider what they want to achieve in their lives and think of ways in which they begin to fulfill their own potential."

Sophie is classified as a grade IV rider – she was born with amniotic band syndrome, a condition caused by the lining of the amniotic sac coming away from the womb before birth. The lining trapped her fingers and ankles, which meant she lost some of her fingers and parts of others and has limited movement in her hands and feet.

Despite being only 20 Sophie has already enjoyed considerable sporting success, in 2008 she became the National Grade IV Champion and was also selected as first reserve for the Paralympics. In 2009 she won triple Gold (Team, Individual and Freestyle) at the European Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships.

Sophie also regularly competes in able-bodied competitions and won the junior riders international class at the Hickstead Under-21 international in 2008 - becoming the first para-equestrian rider to win an able-bodied international competition.

The World Class Programme incorporates the three Olympic sports of dressage, eventing, show jumping and the Paralympic sport of para-equestrian dressage. It comprises the Performance and Development programmes plus the Equine Pathway.

The aim of the Programme is to have in place a sustainable system that can deliver more medals on the international stage now and in the future. The Programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, through Exchequer and National Lottery funds, via UK Sport since 1998.

The Performance Awards have been created by Scottish international performance consultant, Gerry Rose who put together a renowned independent panel to identify breakthrough achievements and encourage future talent across six diverse categories. The Panel chaired by Lord Coe, included Sir John Whitmore, Dame Sheila Wallis, Kanya King MBE and award winning chef, Marcus Wareing.