This will be the first ever World Para-Dressage Championships under the governance of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and will see Britain’s riders face competition from 142 riders from 33 countries for world titles and qualification places for the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.
Paralympic Games gold medalist Debbie Criddle and Athens 2004 bronze medalists Sophie Christiansen and Nicola Tustain are among the 10-strong squad of riders who will battle it out for medals in the individual dressage and freestyle competitions at the championships. Pearson is also joined by Paralympians Anne Dunham and Michelle Crunkhorn
The full squad for the championships is:
Grade 1a
Sophie Christiansen (Berkshire)
Anne Dunham (Wiltshire)
Grade II
Felicity Coulthard (Lancashire)
Nicola Tustain (Denbighshire)
Grade III
Debbie Criddle (Somerset)
Grade IV
Michelle Crunkhorn (Nottinghamshire)
Denise Shawns (West Lothian)
A further five British competitors will ride at the Championships in order to gain qualification for Beijing but will not be eligible for medals. They are:
Grade 1b - Lucy Barclay (Lincolnshire)
Grade II - Natasha Baker (Middlesex)
Grade IV - Sophie Wells (Nottinghamshire)
The Para-Dressage World Championships 2007 take place at Hartpury College, Gloucestershire from July 18 to 22. For further information about the championships visit www.hartpury.ac.uk/wdpc
For further information about the British Paralympic Association, please contact Sian Davies in the Press Office on 0207 211 5240 or 07721 892686 or by email at [email protected]. For news updates visit the BPA website at www.paralympics.org.uk
