Para Nationals at Hickstead

The Paras all headed down to Sussex this week for their National Championships, which doubled as a selection trial for the Paralympics later this year in London.

They brought good weather with them as well as a good crowd of noisy supporters setting the scene for London. The standard was impressively high with some lesser-known combinations improving to challenge some of the established ones.

The star of the day was Sophie Christianson and Janeiro 6 (pictured above) who won the Grade 1a with a score of 85.13%. In doing so she beat multiple medal winner Anne Dunham on both her old campaigner Teddy Edwards as well as her new horse the Knabstrupper stallion LJT Lucas Normark.  Sophie went on to win the freestyle beating the winners of all the other grades including Sophie Wells and Lee Pearson.

Lee Pearson and Gentleman, on 81.20%, continued their winning ways in the Grade 1b and Natasha Baker and Cabral were impressive winners on the Grade II on 76.19%.

In Grade III Nicky Thompson on the beautiful black Welt Santa Cruz beat the experienced Deb Criddle on LJT Achilles by the narrowest of margins, 73.58% and 73.42% (441.5 marks to 440.5). In grade IV Sophie Wells was in a class of her own on both her horses Pinocchio and Valerius.

A few photos below and full results on the Hickstead Website.

Vanessa Knight and Balisto 4

Sophie Wells and Pinnochio

Judge Anne Prain congratulating Nicky Thompson, winner of the Grade III

Sophie Christianson and Janeiro on their lap of honour.

Lee Pearson and Gentleman

Sophie Wells and Valerius

Lee Pearson on Gentleman giving a talk to pupils from Ardingly College who were visiting for the day.

Nicky Thompson, who is blind and Welt Santa Cruz, winners of the Grade III

Natasha Baker and Cabral, winners of the Grade II

Anne Dunham and LJT Lucas Normark

There was a good crowd watching, perhaps with some future para competitors in their midst!!

Lee Pearson and Zion who he was riding HC.