Medal showers for Great Britain and Germany in the FEI European Freestyle Championship

Epona Riding Centre, Kristiansand (NOR), 19-23 August 2009

The final day of the FEI European & Open Para Equestrian Championship had Freestyle to music on the program. It was another great day for Great Britain and Germany, sharing the five gold medals between – three for Great Britain and two for Germany. 

Performance manager for the British team, David Hunter, explained their success: “We are lucky in England to have the national lottery that channels funding towards the paralympic sports. We’ve had two new riders, Sophie Wells and Emma Sheardown, and it’s really rewarding to see them achieve gold medal winning performances in the freestyle alongside the ever successful Lee Pearson. It’s been an incredibly successful European Championship, and the first time Great Britain has ever won so many medals at a major international championship.”

For Emma Sheardown, this results is particularly inspiring as it is her first major international show, meanwhile Sophie Wells has not only amassed three gold medals during the European Para Equestrian Championship, she also earns the IF youth Challenge and also the prize for having the highest total score after three days, a great encouragement for the next generation of athletes.  

Lee Pearson also took home three gold medals. ”I’ve had an extremely successful competition. Today the rider was good and the horse was good and the judges were good! Everything went just the way it should”. 

For Germany’s Angelika Trabert, this marked her first gold medal in an individual test, a result she has been seeking for many years. “It’s been my best championship ever”.

Paralympic gold medallist, Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World got the highest total score in the freestyle with 76,889 %. “I am really satisfied, it’s a dream come true. There are some aspects which are not quite perfect and need improving but that does not bother me. It’s been a wonderful show, well organised and very friendly. We are at home here”.   

Results:
Grade Ia: Emma Sheardown (GBR) Purdy's Dream 75,500 %
Grade Ib: Lee Pearson (GBR) Gentleman 76,722 %
Grad II: Angelika Trabert (GER) Londria 74,000 %
Grade III: Hannelore Brenner (GER) Women of the World 76,889 %
Grad IV: Sophie Wells (GBR) Pinocchio 73,636 %

Media Contact: Cecilie Wendel, Press Officer
cecwe@online.no / media@para2009.no
Official website : www.para2009.no

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