2004 Paralympic Games - Dressage

Lee Pearson Takes First Gold Medal at Equestrian Paralympics

September 20, 2004

Lee Pearson (GBR) defended his Paralympic title in the Individual Dressage Championship in Grade I.

He won his fourth Paralympic gold medal at the opening day of Equestrian Competition at Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre.

The British rider was the second to go and took a commanding lead ahead of the rest of the competitors. Pearson received a total of 77.263% from the five judges and did a faultless perfomance riding Blue Circle Boy

The silver medal was awarded to Australia's Jan Pike. Dr Doolittle, her British Warmblood horse, helped his rider to achieve a total of 71.895%.

There was a lot of drama concerning the rider who was going to earn the bronze medal. Keith Newerla (USA) was holding it in his hands towards the end of competition, but Sophie Cristiansen the incredible youngster from Great Britain had something else on her mind.

With a personal best perfomance of 70% he beat Newerla's marks of 69.684% and gave the Team of Great Britain an unprecented one-three in the medals podium.

A sad incident occured today. Valerie Salles (FRA) was ready to enter the arena in order to start her programme when her horse Arestote collapsed.

Technical Delegate Jonquil Solt issued the following announcement: "During the competition (Individual Dressage Championship Grade I), the horse (Arestote) of the French rider Valerie Salles suffered a cardiac arrest at the entrance of the dressage arena. As a result, competition was interrupted for 45 mins, in order to make the necessary arrangements and give time to the competitors to warm up the horses again."

Image copyrighted: Dirk Caremans

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