Wokingham’s equestrian heroine Sophie Christiansen was ecstatic last night as she won an amazing two Paralympic gold medals, writes Sue Corcoran.
Today she is competing for a third in the Freestyle tests where the athletes ride to music of their choice, using their own movement plan.
Sophie, 28, a former pupil at All Saints Primary, Wokingham, already has five golds from previous Paralympics dressage events.
Special assembly
Children were full of the good news as they walked through the school gates this morning.
Sophie’s success was celebrated at a special assembly along with pupils’ achievements this week. It was some good news for the school, which was waking up to storm damage, seeing some pupils have lessons in the dining hall.
“It’s a massive achievement for Sophie and a wonderful day for us. She will definitely be getting a super commendation certificate,” said headteacher Jacqui Kearney.
Highest scores
Sophie won gold last night in the Grade 1a individual championship test for the most disabled riders. But in fact her score was the highest in all the ability grades. She beat 72 riders from across the world.
Afterwards she said: “It feels quite surreal at the moment. She (Athene) was really with me today, she was so good, she wasn’t scared at all by it.
“I never underestimated my teammate out there (Anne Dunham who won silver), I was on tenterhooks until the very end of the test. We’ve all had to fight for it, but I’m really pleased.”
A team spokesman said: “Riding Athene, Sophie produced an awesome, fluid test with the mare, with eights and nines awarded for the pair’s halt, paces and final centre line.”
Sophie’s other gold of the day was for the team competition. The team’s success means Great Britain remains undefeated at Paralympic, World and European levels.
