British, German riders become biggest winners in Para-equestrian Freestyle

British and German riders became the biggest winners in the Para-equestrian Freestyle Tests of Grade Ia, Ib and III that finished here Thursday.

Representing Britain, Sophie Christiansen, scoring 76.166 points, and Anne Dunham, 73.333, net gold and sliver in the Grade Ia Test respectively, while the bronze went to Laurentia Tan from Singapore, who scored 70.167.


Members of Britain's equestrian team wave during the Overall Team awarding ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian event at Hong Kong Equestrian Venue Sept. 11, 2008. British team won gold, German team took silver and Norwegian team took bronze.
At the Individual Championship held earlier, Dunham came first,and Christiansen, second, and Tan was the bronze medalist.

"The Individual Freestyle Gold medal is amazing, I've worked hard for it," said the Grade Ia gold medalist.

Grade Ib rider Lee Pearson, representing Britain, who already got a gold in the Individual Championship Test, successfully defended the first place by getting high score 77.057.


Members of Germany's equestrian team wave during the Overall Team awarding ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian event at Hong Kong Equestrian Venue Sept. 11, 2008. British team won gold, German team took silver and Norwegian team took bronze.
"I just want to cry, I'm over the moon. I've managed to keep my 100 percent success rate," said the 34-year-old defender who has got nine gold medals in a row since the Sydney 200 Games.

Pearson said that it was not the easiest test he has ever done and his horse has changed his life. "He is a young new horse and it's been a long journey for us to get here."


Members of Norway's equestrian team wave during the Overall Team awarding ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Equestrian event at Hong Kong Equestrian Venue Sept. 11, 2008. British team won gold, German team took silver and Norwegian team took bronze.
The silver medal of the Grade Ib test went to British rider Ricky Balshaw with 70.444 and Brazilian rider V De Luthenay got bronze with 67.333.

At the Grade III test, Germany rider Hannelore Brenner, scored 74.223, getting her third gold in the Games, including those gaining at the Individual Championship and overall Team Tests.

"The horse is a little bit stressed and it is not easy to rider her since she is emotional. But I know the horse can get good marks for me," said Brenner.

British rider Simon Laurens, scoring 73.499, got gold, while Denmark's A Dalskov Lykke, 73.222, gained bronze at the Freestyle Test of the same grade.

Prizes were given to winners of the above Tests as well as the overall Team Test. Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Hong Kong Chief Secretary Henry Tang and some other guests presented the prizes.

The results of the Team Test already came out on Sept. 8, with Britain, Germany and Norway winning gold, sliver and bronze respectively.

Speaking after completion of the Equestrian Events Thursday, Henry Tang said that the competition was an inspirational occasion which has left the city with an Olympic and Paralympic legacy.

"We have achieved our mission of staging two Games of equal splendor. Each rider deserves a gold medal. The courage, determination and talent of the competitors have been an inspiration to us all and something we will never forget," Tang said.

He said that he was delighted that Hong Kong has been able to provide world-class facilities and organizational expertise to help make this a successful competition.

The five-day Para-equestrian Events ended on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua