ParalympicsGB today received nominations from the British Equestrian Federation for the female Para-equestrian dressage riders for the British team for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. These are:
Grade Ia:
Grade II
Grade III
Twenty-year-old 2004 Paralympic Games bronze medallist Sophie Christiansen is nominated to return to the ParalympicsGB team for her second Games and 24-year-old Felicity Coulthard will be making her Games debut this summer.
ParalympicsGB Chief Executive Phil Lane, said: “I am delighted to receive these seven nominations for the ParalympicsGB team for the Beijing Paralympics.
“Britain’s Para-equestrian dressage riders have consistently performed well at Paralympic level, topping the medal table in Athens in 2004 and in Sydney in 2000 and I look forward to seeing this team attempt to repeat these past successes in Hong Kong this summer.”
Para-equestrian dressage team manager David Hunter said: “It’s been an extremely competitive period, all the selectors have been surprised and impressed by the standard - it certainly hasn’t been an easy job. I am confident we have a strong team with an excellent support crew behind them that will be as well prepared as possible in three months time. We are all very grateful for the continuing support of UK Sport Lottery Funding for providing such important resources to the team. Good luck to all and commiserations to those riders who haven’t been nominated.”
British Equestrian Federation World Class Performance Director Will Connell commented: "While there have been a number of athletes and horses in contention for nomination to the Para-equestrian dressage team, the seven riders and horses that the selectors have nominated represent a mix of experience and youth. The team includes athletes who have medalled at Paralympic, world and European level, so this is an exciting proposition for the Games. I hope the team will be well positioned to deliver medals in Hong Kong, where the equestrian events take place.”
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opens on September 6 and closes on September 17. The equestrian events at the Games take place in Hong Kong at the Sha Tin Racecourse and will run from September 7 to 11.
At the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Britain finished second in the medal table with a total of 35 golds, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals. With competitive standards continually rising and the dominant Chinese team taking the home advantage ParalympicsGB recognises that the 2008 Paralympics will be one of its biggest challenges yet.
