Silver medals for para dressage riders Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells at the World Championships

Sophie Wells and Natasha Baker add Para Dressage World Championship silver medals to their already-impressive collections 

The competition was fierce in today’s (Thursday 11 August) grade III and V para-dressage classes but the British equestrian para dressage team, made up of Natasha Baker (grade III) and Sophie Wells (grade V) came out firing all cylinders to collect two silver medals.

Natasha Baker managed to keep her cool and show the world why she’s such a highly decorated rider, despite significant challenges in the run up to the competition.

With this being only the second time, the pair have competed this year it was understandable that Keystone Dawn Chorus, or Lottie as she’s known around the stable, didn’t get off to the most settled of starts with a rather tense halt. But the marks quickly picked up as the test went on. “I think she must have been sharing notes with Lottie Fry’s horse, Glamourdale, in the stables because she was seemed to want to take off like a rocket ship, too,” said Natasha after her test. “I think that was the quickest test I’ve done in my career – she was on a mission.” You wouldn’t have been able to tell watching, however, Natasha’s tactful riding style made the test look effortless.

But it hasn’t been the easiest ride for Natasha in the run up to the World Championships. “I’ve only been back in the saddle two weeks!” She explained. “I’ve had a massive chest infection and sadly had to drop out of Hartpury because I was so unwell.”

After hearing she’s secured silver the ever-cool Natasha said: “As athletes it’s lovely to come away with some bling, but ultimately we just come here to do our best and there’s nothing I think I could have done better in that test today.”

Natasha and Lottie were part of the gold medal winning team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as well as securing an individual and freestyle silver. “This is only the second time Lottie’s been abroad and only her second time in an arena with this atmosphere. But every time we go out there, we learn more about each other and grow in confidence.”

Continuing the day’s silver theme, Sophie Wells and Don Cara M were rewarded similarly after their test saw them fall just short of first place, but nobody who followed could touch her score so second was where the combination remained.

Sophie’s a hugely experienced rider at this level, with countless Paralympic, world and European medals to her credit. She presented a masterclass in test riding for all who watched on, which included ‘Donny’s’ owner, Roland Kinch.

Expressive, uphill, soft, flowing and energetic, Donny’s test was a sight to behold, and Sophie was pleased with the 13-year-old Don Jovi-son’s performance.

“He felt a little bit nervous when he went in but then he settled really well,” Sophie said afterwards. “I was pleased with the trot work.

“I didn’t see the mistake coming in the walk to canter,” Sophie continued, talking about a costly miscommunication that happened mid-test, “but he does it a bit when he’s nervous, so that is what it is. But he came back to me, and the canter work was good. There was lots of stuff I was really pleased with!”

Behind the scenes this week, Sophie’s been training with Carl Hester to help her show Donny off to the best of his ability and helped her come into today’s competition full of confidence. So, we’ll watch with excitement with what’s still due to come this weekend.

Grade III results:

1. Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Jolene Hill for Denmark – 79.676%
2. Great Britain’s Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus for GB – 73.970%
3. USA’s Rebecca Hart and El Corona Texel for USA – 73.147%
4. Denmark’s Karla Dyhm-Jungle and Miss Daisy for Denmark – 71.618%
5. Canada’s Roberta Sheffield and Fairuza for Canada– 70.882%
6. Australia’s Emma Booth and Furst Deluxe for Australia – 70.756%
7. Netherlands’ Lotte Kriijnsen and Rosenstolz for The Netherlands – 70.735%
8. Italy’s Francesca Salvade’ and Oliver Vitz for Italy – 70.059%
9. France’s Chiara Zenati and Swing Royal IFCE for France – 68.853%
10. Belgium’s Barbara Minneci and Stuart for Belgium – 68.824%

Grade V results:

1. Belgium’s Michèle George and Best of 8 – 76.419%
2. Great Britain’s Sophie Wells and Don Cara M – 75.279%
3. Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar and Alphaville N.O.P. – 75.256%
4. Belgium’s Kevin van Ham and Eros Van Ons Geem – 71.997%
5. Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s – 71.954 %
6. Denmark’s Nicole Johnsen and Moromax – 71.395%
7. Sweden’s Lena Malmström and Fabulous Fidelie – 70.791%
8. Switzerland’s Nicole Geiger and Amigo – 68.256%
9. Norway’s Stine Skillebekk and Calique V – 68.046%
10. Australia’s Lisa Martin and Juicy Wiggle – 67.558%

Photo credit: Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus © FEI / Richard Juilliart