ParalympicsGB, in conjunction with the British Dressage para selectors and Performance Manager Georgina Sharples, announced that Grade 5 athlete Sophie Wells will now partner the Lady Joseph Trust’s Egebjerggards Samoa at Paris 2024.
Wells' selected horse, Don Cara M (by Don Jovi x Rafurstinsels), owned by Rowland Kinch, is out due to a minor veterinary issue.
Set to make a fourth consecutive Games appearance for ParalympicsGB, Sophie originally had the 8-8-year old Egebjerggards Samoa (by St Schufo x Gribaldi), with whom she won team and freestyle bronze at last year’s Para Dressage European Championship, named as a direct reserve for her selected ride Don Cara M, and has been preparing both horses for Paris 2024 in tandem.
British Equestrian Para Dressage Performance Manager Georgina Sharples commented; “While this is only a minor veterinary issue, horse welfare is always our top priority and therefore it’s not in Donnie’s best interest to compete in Paris. We’d like to thank his owner, Rowland Kinch, for his unwavering support through this process.
“The talented Egebjerggards Samoa (Diana) will now make her Paralympic debut. It is a fortunate position to be in that, in Donnie and Diana, we have two of the best Grade 5 horses in the world and I look forward to seeing Diana step into that amazing arena at Versailles.”
The para dressage athletes and horses will shortly be travelling to their UK prep camp, before travelling to Paris on 29 August.
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British Paralympic Dressage Team for Paris 2024 Announced