Paralympic rider secures triple of wins at Hickstead

Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Wells secured her third win in three days at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival at Hickstead (9-14 May).

Sophie, 33, won the CPEDI3* Para Grand Prix Freestyle V on Thursday, having already secured victories in the Grand Prix A and Grand Prix B earlier this week. All three wins came courtesy of Don Cara M, her 14-year-old gelding, while her second ride Ljt Egebjerggards Samoa was second in both Grand Prix tests. Don Cara M continued to dominate in the Freestyle, scoring an impressive 81.210% for the win. 

"Both horses really came into their own and excelled, I was thrilled with how they went in the arena and it was even better that the judges agreed," said Sophie. 

Having competed at the original Dressage at Hickstead site since 2006, Sophie was delighted to have international dressage back on the schedule at the main Hickstead showground. "I did my first able-bodied international here, so to be back here again with the paras is really special. We're really grateful to be back, and hopefully it'll be here for years to come."  

Sophie’s teammate at the Tokyo Olympics, Georgia Wilson, was the Grade II Freestyle victor. Her test on nine-year-old mare Sakura scored 76.167%, more than 10 percent clear of her nearest rival. The pair had already won the Grand Prix tests. 

"It felt good, there was some bits to improve on but overall I was pleased," said Georgia, who made the six-hour journey from North Wales to West Sussex to compete. "Riding in the arena and having such a good atmosphere here. It's good to be out again for the start of the season."

Another Team GB regular was also among today’s winners, with Erin Orford winning the Grade III Freestyle on Dragons Fire, ahead of Ireland’s Jessica McKenna and Davidoff 188. In the Grade IV Freestyle, it was Isobelle Palmer who took the top spot with Je Suis Adiva, on a score of 75.625%. The pair finished less than one percent ahead of Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, in a reversal of the placings from the previous day’s Grand Prix B test.

The Grade I title went to Hong Kong's Pui Ting Natasha Tse, who won with Jockey Club Caraat 1 on a score of 73.927%. She is hoping to be part of the Hong Kong team for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. "I am so happy to here, it's my first time at Hickstead, they have a good arena and all our teamwork really paid off," she said. "I really tried my best and hopefully I can improve bit by bit."

For all today’s results click here.