Paralympic dream comes true

Gold medal hope Sophie Christiansen will go to the Beijing Paralympics in September as part of the British Para-equestrian dressage squad.

Twenty year-old Christiansen, who is from Ascot, made her Paralympic debut as a 16-year-old in Athens and showed great promise by winning bronze.

Since then she has won World and European titles and looks set to travel to Beijing as one of Britain’s best chances of snatching a medal.

The Royal Holloway University student, who will be riding the Para Dressage Training Trust’s Lambrusco III at the games, said: “I’m over the moon; this has been my aim for the past four years and it’s a massive achievement, now it’s time to concentrate on being as prepared as we can for the competition.

“Lambrusco is world class and the most honest, trustworthy horse around. He gives me so much confidence; I’m really looking forward to it.”

ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane, said: “Britain’s Para-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.”

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games opens on Saturday, September 6 and closes on Wednesday, September 17 with the equestrian events taking place in Hong Kong at the Sha Tin Racecourse.