2012 London Paralympics: Medals Galore, Gold for Great Britain, Silver to Germany and Bronze for Ireland!

Source: News Release

Medals Galore with three sets of individual medal ceremonies and the overall Team score…
Gold for Great Britain, silver to Germany and bronze for Ireland!

It was huge day of sport, with 39 combinations competing for individual honours as well as team points in Grades IV, III and Ia, three Individual Championship medal ceremonies, three new champions, and last but certainly not least the overall Team score.

Double gold for Sophie Christiansen (GBR), Individual Championship in Grade Ia and Team © FEI/Liz Gregg

The day got off to a spectacular start for all Belgians with Michele George and Rainman claiming their first gold medal at London 2012, both Olympic and Paralympic and across all sports. Their achievement also goes down in the history books as the first equestrian gold medal for Belgium at a Paralympic Games since Para-Equestrian joined the programme in 1996. Next came a stand-out performance from Germany’s Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World to retain their 2008 Paralympic title whilst in Grade Ia, Sophie Christiansen did the home crowd proud with another brilliant test that was verging on perfection.

Meanwhile, as the day progressed, the team scores began to take shape… It was clear that Great Britain was on the road to gold and that unless things went terribly wrong, Germany was assured a silver. However bronze was up for grabs with the Danes, the Dutch, Belgium and Ireland within inches of the podium. It was literally in the closing stages when Helen Kearney and Mister Cool, third last to go in Grade Ia, produced a brilliant test to earn a score of 76.700 taking not only individual silver but putting Ireland in third place on 428.313 with just over half a point on The Netherlands’ score of 428.253.

Not only did she help Ireland secure their first team medal for a first team participation, she also secured Ireland’s first individual medal at equestrian events of a Paralympic Games since it joined the programme in 1996. For a first team participation, Ireland have set the bar very high for future Games!

Great Britain are the team title holders since 1996 and their score today set a new record at 468.817 followed by Germany on 440.970.

Third time lucky and a big win for Belgium in Grade IV
Michele George from Belgium came to London with the hope of turning her two previous silver Championship medals (European in 2009 and World in 2010) into gold and she did with a brilliant performance riding Rainman and a personal best for the Individual Championship test on a score of 77.065. “The ride was genius, it was like a puzzle, all the pieces fit together” said the 38 year-old horse trainer.

Her biggest rivals and World and European title-holders in Grade IV, Sophie Wells and Pinocchio, had to settle for silver this time around, a hard reality to face at a home event but Wells knew that any errors would put her gold medal hopes in peril up against such fierce competition. “I followed Michele and heard her score outside the arena. I knew that it would have been possible (to win) as long as I didn’t have any mistakes, but the mistake was there. You can’t change it. The standard is so high, but I’ll rectify my test for Tuesday” said the 22 year-old.

Third place in Grade IV went to Frank Hosmar from the Netherlands who was absolutely delighted with his performance and that of his relatively inexperienced horse Alphaville. It was only in July that they decided the 7yr old Alphaville would be coming to London instead of his experienced mount Tїesto. “Alphaville’s a gentle soul and always willing to work. I am really pleased with the performance we did today and our bronze medal” he said after the prize giving ceremony.

Hannelore Brenner holds on to her Paralympic title in Grade III
Lots of seasoned riders and horses in Grade III but Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World – defending Paralympic champions – convincingly took the top spot ahead of Great Britain’s Deborah Criddle, 2004 Paralympic gold medallist and Annika Dalskov, also a former Paralmypic, World and European medallist, from Denmark in third place.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Hannelore Brenner (GER) and Women of the World as the nerves, pressure and concentration got the better of her in the arena leading to a mistake in the routine and a 2 point deduction from each of the judges. However, once she was back on course, Women of the World stayed right with her throughout and all the way to gold. “This is the most amazing medal I have ever won, Women of the World just gets better and better every day and is she is just wonderful” said Brenner of her 17 year-old mare that also took her to gold in 2008.

For Deborah Criddle, first in the draw, it was a lengthy wait but given the years of experience, composure was not an issue as she explained later: “Yes I’ve been there, done that, you learn to live with things. There’s always another day but not, unfortunately, another London 2012. But you just have to deal with that. Yes, there was a mistake. I had too much bend and couldn’t contain what I’d created, so we had an abrupt stop. He’s a sensitive chappie and there was more atmosphere today, but he grew into it in a good way. We had a lot of super movements, and overall it felt fantastic.”

Christiansen seals the deal - individual gold in Grade Ia and overall Team Gold for Great Britain
Last on the day’s busy agenda, Grade Ia individual Championship Test – the last of the five Grades to go, revealing both the Grade Ia medallists and also providing the last scores for the Team tally.

Given the impeccable Team test on Friday by Sophie Christiansen and Janeiro 6 there was little doubt in anyone’s mind that the World, European and Paralympic champion could be beaten today. First to go, Christiansen then waited for two hours as the remaining 13 competitors attempted to close the gap, but it was to no avail and she comfortably won her Grade on a final score of 82.750, just a few marks below her record team test score two days ago. “I went in trying to think this was just a normal training session, but there happened to be 10,000 people watching” commented Christiansen.

Helen Kearney, the one to watch following a strong Team test and third last to go in today’s Grade Ia Individual Championships Test, produced a magnificent test on former Eventing horse, Mister Cool, to clinch silver and push the Irish team into bronze medal position with just over half point on The Netherlands. That makes two medals in one day for a nation that had never sent a team to the equestrian events of the Paralympic Games - just individuals – and had never won a medal before!

Third place went to Laurentia Tan, Singapore and Asia’s first and only Paralympic medallist in Equestrian sport to date – winning bronze in 2008, and again today. “I’m so excited, so happy. I couldn’t have asked for better. London is my second home and I just want to scream” she said.

Huge achievement for Latvia
Last in the arena today, Rihards Snikus, the first Latvian to compete in equestrian sport at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, was over the moon with his first individual Paralympic mark, taking fourth place just shy of a medal in Grade Ia.

Facts and Figures
Michele George won the first Belgian gold medal of the London 2012 Games – Olympic and Paralympic - and the first equestrian gold medal at the Paralympics since 1996.

Ireland won their first two medals at the equestrian events of the Paralympic Games – individual silver for Helen Kearney and team bronze.

This was the first time Ireland ever sent a team to the equestrian events of the Paralympic Games.

Rihards Snikus is the first Latvian to compete in equestrian sport at Paralympic or even Olympic level.

Great Britain won the team gold medal on a record score of 468.817.

Great Britain has five members on the team, and so far has won 3 gold and 3 silver medals.

Medal count so far: GBR 6 (3 gold, 3 silver), GER 4 (1 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze), AUS (1 gold), BEL 1(1 gold), IRL 2(1 silver, 1 bronze), AUT 1(1 bronze), DEN 1(1 bronze), NED 1(1 bronze), SIN 1(1 bronze).

Freestyle next…
Grades II and Ib will have their Freestyle tests on Monday, followed by Grades IV, III and Ia on Tuesday

Results and Start Lists available here

London 2012 Equestrian Hub
Check out the London 2012 hub on the FEI website here for links and information regarding the schedule and results, rider biographies, FEI History Hub, photo galleries, rules, guide to classification and more.

First-time lucky – Paralympic débutants take Grades II and Ib

Lots of firsts today with the first equestrian medals of the London 2012 Paralmypic Games won by first-time Paralympians. Natasha Baker in Grade II continued to perform superbly today winning gold with Cabral whilst in Grade Ib, Australia’s Joann Formosa and Worldwide PB created quite commotion when winning gold ahead of Lee Pearson, Paralympic champion since 2000.

Dreams come true in Grade II
Paralympic débutant Natasha Baker riding the ever so handsome Cabral achieved her childhood dream, gold at the Paralympics on a Grade II record score of 76.857%. “From the age of 10 when I watched the Sydney Paralympics on television I said I would come to a Paralympic Games and win a gold medal”, recalled the 22-year-old. “I had always wanted to be a rider, and to be here and do what we've done today is just incredible. The horses make it what it is - they are just amazing animals. If I have inspired one person to go out there and do any sport, then I will be over the moon. It was Lee Pearson and the other riders who inspired me when I was 10 years old.”

Second and third place were close on her heels, with defending Paralympic champion Britta Napel taking silver on a score of 76.048% with Aquilina 3, and German compatriot Angelika Trabert and Ariva-Avanti in bronze medal position on 76%. Napel and Trabert whose score today will provide Germany with some very valuable points towards the overall mark, have participated in several Paralympics – Angelika is one of just three Para-Equestrians to have attended all of the Paralympic Games since equestrian sport joined the programme in 1996, while Napel joined the squad for the 2005 and 2008 editions.

The crowd greeted the medallists with a Mexican wave that toured the arena at least four times and made for an exceptionally moving prize-giving ceremony.

A new champion for Grade Ib
Another Paralympic first-timer stole the show this afternoon by dethroning the most decorated Para-Equestrian of all time, Lee Pearson, with an elegant and harmonious performance on her stallion Worldwide PB. Australia’s Joann Formosa’s third place on Thursday had alerted some to her medal potential, but it hadn’t really crossed anyone’s mind that she would be able to take on Lee Pearson and Pepo Puch on her second international appearance! The last time Joann competed internationally was in 2006 at Hartpury where she first met Lee Pearson and set her sights on one day winning gold at a Paralympic Games. “It’s been the goal of my life” she said emotionally after the prize-giving ceremony, “when I’m out there I feel great. I may not have great legs, I may be a bit sluggish on some days, but put me on a horse and I am different person. I am free”.

It wasn’t an easy task getting here with lots of training alongside constant medical attention and fundraising but thanks to the formidable Australian team, which she wished could come on the podium to receive the medal with her, she has achieved what she came out here to do.

Silver went to Lee Pearson who was very humble in defeat and genuinely proud of what he had done today. “I am just as proud of this silver medal as I am of my gold medals” he said after the prize giving ceremony. “It’s a numbers game. There are sports where you can only win one medal, whereas I have three chances. I hope to come out and redeem myself in the freestyle.”

Third place went to former Event rider Pepo Puch from Austria riding Fine Feeling. Puch was top of the FEI Rankings for Grade Ib coming to the Paralympics, so there were also a lot of expectations on his shoulders as well but as he said “there are many riders in this Grade who are of a very high standard. This class was all about good horsemanship – it was very tight”. His wife and daughter (and many Austrians in the crowds it seemed) have been following him every step of the way since he was forced to give up Eventing following his accident, producing an impressive cheer for him during the prize-giving ceremony and a warm welcome when he crossed over into the public area of the arena.

All in all a day of great emotion and personal achievements

Results and Start Lists available here

Waving crowds
For those of you that are not here to witness it, there is something very unique happening in the arena. At the end of each test, and at the request of certain riders, the crowds are told to refrain from clapping until the horse is with the handler – so instead of clapping, the public have taken to waving their hands and flags in the air, producing a silent but very visual clap and as soon as the handlers are within reach, the crowds let loose.

Quotes
Joann Formosa (AUS) Grade Ib “I wanted to be in the top ten, but really I wanted the gold. I knew what I wanted – I may not be good at walking, but I’m good at getting what I want.”

Joan Formosa (AUS) Gade Ib “He’s a stallion which is very unusual for Para-Equestrian sport, but he doesn’t behave like one . even around mares. He’s a real sweetie.”

Natasha Baker (GBR) Grade II “I screamed wow and kept screaming wow. I couldn’t have asked for any better.”

Natasha Baker (GBR) Grade II “What’s better than one medal? Two medals. I’ll be going for another medal on Monday.”

Lee Pearson (GBR), Grade Ib “I was the most nervous I’ve ever been, mostly because Gentleman is so insecure. I thought Blue Circle Boy had an odd personality until I met Gentleman… But I was really pleased with the way I rode today and with Gentleman – whether that’s enough I don’t know but if someone rides better and their horse goes better, I will be really pleased for them.”

Lee Pearson (GBR), Grade Ib “It’s been a tough competition, a tough year, and Gentleman is a tough horse to keep on top of his game. I’m genuinely delighted with silver.”

Pepo Puch (AUT) Grade Ib “She is really my coach. I used to be a horse trainer, but now she trains me. If I’m not balanced in the saddle, she will straighten me out. I’ve had her for three and a half years and she’s a very spoilt ballerina.”

Jonathan Wentz (USA) Grade Ib “I’m really looking forward to the freestyle because the music lifts my horse who is normally very laidback.”

Barbara Minneci (BEL) Grade II “I was really pleased with the performance. Barilla was really listening to me and it was even better.”

London 2012 Equestrian Hub

Check out the London 2012 hub on the FEI website here for links and information regarding the schedule and results, rider biographies, FEI History Hub, photo galleries, rules, guide to classification and more.

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