News
Paralympic bronze for Baker and Wilson
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Tue, 03 Sep 2024 22:00
Natasha Baker and Georgia Wilson added more Paralympic medals to their growing collection on day one of Para Equestrian action at Paris 2024, whilst Mari Durward-Akhurst successfully earned Freestyle qualification.
Grade 3 Bronze for Baker
Beginning the Para Dressage competition in front of the iconic Chateau de Versailles, Natasha Baker successfully returned to the Olympic stage with her Tokyo 2020 partner Keystone Dawn Chorus, owned by Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, Phil and Lorraine Baker and Natasha. Though the heavens opened during their performance, Natasha smiled through the rain and showed her class as a four-time Paralympian riding to a superb 73.167% in the Grade 3 Grand Prix A test. Natasha would hold the lead whilst a strong line-up stepped forward to challenge for the medal placings, eventually joined on the podium by American gold medal winner Rebecca Hart and silver medallist Rixt van de Horst of the Netherlands.
“I’m so thrilled – she was such a superstar," an emotional Natasha reflected on her test, "I just wanted a nice, relaxed test and that’s what we delivered. She stayed with me all the way – we didn’t quite have much pizazz as I would like in ideal circumstances, but I didn’t get any tension either and that was exactly what I wanted.
“It’s quite a big atmosphere here and she’s never been into anything like that. In Tokyo, there were obviously no crowds, no audience, so I didn’t know how she’d react, but she was such a star, so we can ramp it up as the week goes on.
“I’ve had her for nearly five years, but I’ve been out of the white boards for 20 months so, although it’s been three years since Tokyo, I’ve missed much of that time by having a baby. I still feel our partnership is relatively new, but she was amazing. I trust her with my life and we have the most amazing relationship, it’s incredible – I call her Mary Poppins because she’s practically perfect in every way,” she added.
“As I went in, I started to well up and I thought ‘no, get that out of your mind and focus on the job at hand’. It’s amazing to think that I wasn’t even riding this time last year, I’d just had him [Joshua]. Over the winter, if you’d have told me I was going to be selected for this Games, I’d have said you were lying because it just didn’t feel possible.
“My team has just brought everything together and I’m so grateful to The National Lottery, who fund all of the work that goes on behind the scenes to be able to deliver this – getting the best team possible around me to get me back in the saddle. Plus, my amazing team, especially my mum [Lorraine Baker] and my trainer Lisa [Hopkins] and to Marc for looking after Joshua on this incredible, turbulent journey. I feel so fortunate and so grateful to have this amazing opportunity and to show the world how amazing Lottie is – the results don’t matter, I’m just so happy with her. I’m juggling being a mum and the best athlete I can be, which wouldn’t be possible without my team.
“It’s so nice to have Mari at her first Games and see it through her eyes again, it’s so much like London [2012, Natasha’s Games debut]. It brings memories flooding back from 12 years ago – today is the 12 year anniversary of my freestyle gold medal, so it’s special.”
Georgia Wilson earns Second Paralympic Bronze
Following an outstanding Paralympic debut in Tokyo 2020, Georgia Wilson returned with Geoff and Julie Wilson's Sakura for her second appearance as part of team Paralympics GB. Contesting the Grade 2 Individual Grand Prix A test, Georgia rode with abundant confidence and skill to produce 73.414% in front of the judges panel of Katherine Lucheschi (C - ITA), John Robinson (E - GBR), Ineke Jansen (H - NED), Freddy Leyman (M - BEL) and Suzanne Cunningham (B - AUS). It was a tense wait for the conclusion of the small yet talented field of Grade 2 competitors, with Georgia earning her second individual Paralympic bronze, joining gold medal winner Fiona Howard (USA) and Katrine Kristensen (DEN) on the podium.
“I’m over the moon. I knew who I was competing against and there’s three or four really good ones. I wasn’t sure where I’d come, but to get a medal is amazing. The competition in Grade 2 is really high, but it’s exciting [for the sport]. That arena is so special, and Suki loves an atmosphere, so I had the confidence to go in there.
“Suki and I know each other inside and out – when I went into her stable this morning, she gave me a kiss down my cheek! I think she knows when it’s competition day!
“I have an amazing trainer in Nicky Lickley and we go to her every week – she keeps telling me I can do better. All the training pays off, it’s amazing. It’s a real family effort – my dad has stayed at home to look after the other horses.”
Freestyle qualification for debutant Durward-Akurst
Though her equine partner may be one of the most experienced mares on the circuit, Mari Durward-Akhurst is a Paralympics GB newcomer and made a magnificent debut at Paris 2024, presenting Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine’s Athene Lindebjerg beautifully in front of the Palace of Versailles. Mari's Grade 1 Grand Prix A test was characterised by a beaming smile and a balanced, big, bold walk tour with her outstanding horse, who's previously parntered para dressage greats Sophie Christiansen and Julie Payne. Their harmonious effort produced a score 71.792%, which would produce sixth place in a really competitive class of 22.
“I couldn’t have done any more in there," Mari spoke proudly after achieving her childhood dream, "We know each other really well, she looks after me and really trusts me. It was amazing [in that arena], I was trying to hold back the tears as I went in, it was just incredible – the atmosphere and palace.”
“Horses have always been a part of my life. I started riding aged three. My condition deteriorated quite drastically in 2019 and I lost the ability to walk, so being on a horse... they’re my legs. I always say ‘together we excel’. I got bullied a lot as a young child because I was different and I wasn’t in a wheelchair, so they couldn’t see why, and the horses kept me going.”
Mari's placing has successfully earned her a spot in Saturday's Grade 1 Freestyle to Music finale - a great achievement for a Paralympic debut.
Day two of individual medal competition will feature five-time Paralympian Sophie Wells, who presents a new Games partner in Egebjerggards Samoa. The duo step forward to contest the Grade 5 Grand Prix A at 14.02 BST.
All the action can be watched on the Channel 4 Sport YouTube channel, with highlights in the evening on mainstream Channel 4.
Photos: Kim Lundin / British Dressage
