Wow - who knew ?

[Equibrit]

4. Sophie is also a successful professional rider in able-bodied dressage, having competed her Paralympic gold medallist Valerius up to grand prix, and becoming double winter national champion at small tour in 2917.

Read more at https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/sophie-wells-facts-665984#kFSVAhaFFKVv8oEw.99

 

[milliepops]

lol. She's a very very good rider but I never had her down as a time traveller

 

[tristar]

i am truly in awe of those para riders, i just become transfixed when watching them, very much enjoyed watching them at weg, the partnership between them and their horses is a tribute to horsemanship

 

[ester]

It's nice to know that she has that to look forwards to in her old age.

 

[oldie48]

lol. She's a very very good rider but I never had her down as a time traveller

Haha, made me laugh! I saw her ride at a BD convention (and other paradressage riders) and I came home determined NEVER to excuse my poor riding on being old and decrepit. I haven't stuck to it, of course, but it was inspirational to see how brilliantly her horse went for her and believe me, it was no plod!!! She can ride and just has an amazing relationship with her horse.

 

[rachel_s]

I’m confused - I thought paralympions competed within their grade so a grade V competed against other grade V and so on. This article suggests that she competes across all grades which doesn’t make sense.

Can someone clarify?

 

[ihatework]

I’m confused - I thought paralympions competed within their grade so a grade V competed against other grade V and so on. This article suggests that she competes across all grades which doesn’t make sense.

Can someone clarify?

When competing in para dressage she has to compete within her grade (V).

But she also competes in regular able bodied BD, against everyone

 

[Velcrobum]

I’m confused - I thought paralympions competed within their grade so a grade V competed against other grade V and so on. This article suggests that she competes across all grades which doesn’t make sense.

Can someone clarify?

To compete in regular BD she has a dispensation to use looped reins. Any para rider can compete in regular BD competitions if they chose to do so and can get appropriate dispensations.

 

[oldie48]

i wish I could ride with looped reins, I really struggle to stop the reins getting too long partly because of tendon damage to my fingers (now there I go again!)