News
Paralympic bronze for Wells in Paris
- Written By: British Dressage
- Published: Wed, 04 Sep 2024 02:00
Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa added to the British medal tally on day two of the Para Equestrian competition at Paris 2024, with Individual bronze in the Grade 5.
On day seven of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, and day two of the Para Equestrian action at the Chateau de Versailles, the Grade 4 and 5 Individual competition unfolded in front of a vibrant crowd as riders went head-to head for Individual medal glory and to secure a top-eight qualification spot for Saturday’s Freestyle medal contest.
Sophie Wells, making her fourth consecutive Games appearance for ParalympicsGB, gave the impressive young mare LTJ Egebjerggards Samoa (St Schufro x Gribaldi) a confidence-giving ride on the horse’s debut Games. Opening her Paris 2024 account in style, Sophie showed all her class as a rider to give eight-year-old ‘Diana’, owned by The Lady Joseph Trust, a lovely experience on the biggest stage of her career so far to earn 72.257% in the Grade 5 Grand Prix A test for Individual bronze, and the ninth Paralympic medal of Sophie’s career to date.
“I’m really glad it’s done now!” commented a relieved Sophie after her test. “She was so brave. Going in that arena, she has really surprised me all week. She has been amazing in there in training but, obviously, you go in and there’s quite a few people there. She got a little bit nervous, but she’s only eight years old. I held her hand through the whole test and she listened to me, and I couldn’t be prouder of her for that. So, I’m very pleased with her and relieved it’s finished.
“My aim was to get through to the freestyle. She’s a really cool horse – I’m lucky to ride her and I know this is just touching on what she can do. So, after the first day, it’s quite nice to settle the nerves a little bit and get used to the crowd. She was really cool coming out, she was fine at that point. They started clapping a little bit early, but I was like, ‘guys, we haven’t saluted yet’. But, yeah, I’m so proud of her. She’s a really cool little horse.”
Sophie originally had LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, with whom she won team and freestyle bronze at last year’s FEI Para Dressage European Championships, named as a direct reserve for her selected ride Don Cara M, and had been preparing both horses for Paris in tandem. However, with ‘Donnie’ being sidelined due to a minor veterinary issue in the run-up to the Games, fate would have 2024 as the year for Diana’s first Paralympic appearance.
“I was really disappointed for Don Cara’s owners,” reflected Sophie. “He’s a great horse and we haven’t quite had that opportunity to really go for it, but so many things happen in life and I’m so grateful to be here and have this opportunity. I really wanted her to be happy in there and I don’t think she was unhappy – I think she was just a bit nervous because there was lots of people watching, which is fine. That’s OK.”
After the medal ceremony, Sophie said; “I came in as wanting to qualify for the freestyle in the top eight. It’s a really tough grade. I didn’t know where we were going to sit within the rest of the world and there are some great riders here, and you can never, obviously, take that for granted.
“I’m just so proud of her. I mean, she’s eight years old, she’s an incredible horse, and I know she will be the best horse in the world at some point. But, today, I needed to hold her hand around the test a little bit and give her a bit of confidence. I’m just so proud of her that she’s held her nerve.
“The longer I’m in the sport, the more emotional I get for each medal and the more grateful I get to ride the horses that I’m riding and for the opportunities I get coming here and showing them in an arena like this, so I’m incredibly proud.”
Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s set the early standard on 73.231%, beaten only by Belgian defending Paralympic titleholders Michele George and the 14-year-old Best of 8, who posted 76.692% for gold.
After a rest day tomorrow, the Para Equestrian competition continues on Friday with the team medal competition from 08:30 UK time. 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
