Great Britain was the only country to medal in all three equestrian disciplines at the Olympics.Today, it added to its Tokyo medal trove with a gold, a silver and a bronze as the Paralympics began at Baji Koen Equestrian Park.
Leading the medal parade was, of course, Sir Lee Pearson, who took gold on his homebred Breezer in Grade II (Paralympians are assigned to their division based on their degree of physical impairment).
This is his 12th gold in the 21 years since making his Paralympic debut in Sydney. His score of 76.265 put him ahead of Austria’s Pepo Puch, who rode Sailor’s Blue to earn 73.44. Meanwhile, Britain’s Georgia Wilson, who had been the reserve for her team before being elevated to the squad, got the bronze on Sakura, with 72.765 percent.
Despite having decades of experience, Lee admitted to being emotional and shedding some tears today.
Gold medalist Lee Pearson with Pepo Puch and Georgia Wilson on the podium at the Paralympics today. (Photo courtesy of the FEI)
“I didn’t think having a home-bred horse would give this a little extra meaning, but it has. I saw him at hours old in a field and to complete that test, which at my last test event I did not complete, that added to the emotion,” he said.
Interestingly, his philosophy is never to think much ahead.
“I try to enjoy every day,” he explained. “With horses, it’s hard to think too far ahead, you have to think about where you are now and in your training. What will they give you that day, what changes are you going to make? I never believed my life would be how it is, up to Sydney and afterwards. It’s surreal, I use that word a lot, but it’s true. I never take anything for granted – I won’t take today for granted, or tomorrow. I literally live for today.”
Beatrice de Lavalette was fifth in Grade II for the U.S. Her score on Clarc was 70.265 percent, marking the first time a U.S. Paralympian had earned over 70 percent at the Games. She lost her legs in a terrorist bombing at the Brussels airport in 2016, something that seems particularly pertinent to recall today after what happened in Afghanistan.
“It is such a great honor to be here representing the U.S. at this competition and being able to have fun with my horse out there after five years of fighting for my life,” she said.
Beatrice de Lavalette with Shayna Simon. (Photo by Taylor Pence/USEF)
“It was really very emotional for me at the end,” she explained. “Setting the goal of being here five years ago when I was in the ICU was a dream and being here today is a dream realized and I couldn’t be happier. I’m very proud of myself and my team because without them, I wouldn’t be here.”
In Grade IV, Kate Shoemaker was seventh for the U.S. with 70.854 percent on Solitaer 40. Like Beatrice, she has qualified for Monday’s freestyle with her performance.
Kate a veterinarian, said of her mount, “We’ve been showing together for a while now and this is the end of our seventh year together. It’s a partnership that’s been a long time coming,” added Shoemaker. “He loves championships and when you add that little bit of energy, he really turns into something special and it’s a feeling like none other.”
Grade IV was won by Sanne Voets, as the Dutch rider finally took a gold to crown her collection of European, World and Paralympic titles.
She earned the highest score of the day, 76.585 percent, on Demantur N.O.P. Rodolpho Riskalla of Brazil took the silver on Don Henrico with 74.65 percent, ahead of Belgium’s Manon Claeys with 72.85 on San Dior 2.
Sanne praised her horse, saying, “I’m just over the moon with him. He still amazes me every day and he traveled here well. When you enter the stable and you see he’s happy, relaxed and at ease, you realize again that’s what is most important.
“Of course, you’re here to perform at your very best and you want to win medals, but there’s always one thing more important than the result, and that’s just your horse being happy.
In Grade V, Sophie Welles earned Britain’s silver with 74.405 percent on her reserve horse, Don Cara, behind Michele George of Belgium, in just her seventh competition with Best of 8. She scored 76.524 percent. Dutch rider Frank Hosmar took the bronze on Alphaville N.O.P., with 73.405. No American took part in the Grade V competition.