Sir Lee Pearson adds another World Championship medal to his impressive tally

British para-dressage riders get off to a great start at the 2022 World Championships, with Sir Lee Pearson securing a bronze medal and Georgia Wilson finishing comfortably in fifth

As the second para-dressage class of the 2022 FEI World Championships got underway (Wednesday 10 August), all eyes were lay on the highly decorated British riders. Georgia Wilson and Sir Lee Pearson, both grade II athletes, were set to take to the stage in the hope of bringing home more world titles.

Going first for Great Britain was Georgia Wilson and Sakura – known as Suki at home – who have never scored below 70% in national or international competitions. Despite Tokyo 2020 being Georgia’s paralympic debut, she’s certainly no stranger to the big events and secured herself two bronze medals. In 2019 she also won European individual gold, as well as individual and team silver with her other horse, Midnight.

Georgia and Sakura started their test in strong form, with a clear and consistent rhythm being reflected in their score. Sakura may have soaked up the atmosphere a little too much, though, which resulted in moments of tension and a slight loss of balance. But Georgia worked hard to keep her cool and their final score of 71.455% put them in provisional second place, narrowly behind Beatrice de Lavalette and Sixth Sense for the USA on 71.758%.

“It was nice to get the first test out of the way,” Georgia commented. “I like coming out of the test feeling happy and I feel like I’ve achieved that.” A fantastic and, importantly, confidence-boosting start to their World Championship campaign.

It was only when the second half of the class commenced that things started to heat, and as Pepo Puch, riding Sailor’s Blue for Austria, stormed into the lead with a score of 75.333% – it was going to be a big ask for Sir Lee Pearson who was up next to knock him off the top spot.

The ever-experienced Sir Lee Pearson and his homebred ride Breezer waltzed into the arena, looking to follow on from their Tokyo 2020 success – where they bagged a whopping three gold medals. The 11-year-old gelding undoubtedly has the talent to help Lee secure another World Champion title, but they didn’t quite do enough to take the lead this time and they finished behind Pepo on a score of 75.091%.

“He felt really nice, just one moment of tension in the walk just before the right leg yield but he’s a very sensitive horse and he still hasn’t seen many audiences,” explained Lee. “I was pleased with my riding and pleased with my horse. Whatever the result I’m still taking the best horse home.”

The stakes were raised a final time when the next combination entered the arena, Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater from Denmark. Katrine certainly made a big impression on her World Championship debut, with the 26-year-old para-dressage rider securing a gold medal after their phenomenal test, finishing on a gold medal-winning score of 75.788% – made that little bit sweeter being in her home country – but pushing Lee and Breezer down into third place.

The final three riders couldn’t do enough to touch anyone in the podium positions, meaning Great British para-dressage legend Sir Lee Pearson would add yet another medal to his World Championships collection. Speaking of his bronze medal result and today’s ever-evolving world of para-dressage, Lee Pearson remained upbeat. “It feels quite surreal,” said Lee. “A lot of people’s expectation was a gold medal, but I think a lot of people don’t understand the quality of the horses and the riders coming through.”

The full results…

1. Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater for Denmark ­– 75.788%
2. Pepo Puch and Sailor’s Blue for Austria – 75.333%
3. Lee Pearson and Breezer for Great Britain – 75.091%
4. Beatrice de Lavalette and Sixth Sense for USA – 71.758%
5. Georgia Wilson and Sakura for Great Britain – 71.455%
6. Gianna Regenbrecht on Fuerst Sinclair for Germany – 71.061%
7. Heidemarie Dresing on La Boum for Germany – 70.970%
8. Celine Gerny on Rhapsodie IFCE for France – 70.940%
9. Michaela Ferringer on Stockholm from Austria – 66.576%
10. Felix Gomez on Merlin from Spain – 65.848%
11. Mitsuhide Miyaji on Flylight from Japan – 64.848%
12. Soshi Yoshigoe on Dueto from Japan – 64.849%
13. Sandra Karlsson on Don Danimo from Sweden – 64.060%
14. Flamarion Pereira Da Silva on Francis from Brazil – 53.545%

Up next for para-dressage…

Tomorrow (Thursday 11 August) will see the continuation of more individual para-dressage classes, this time grades III and V. Grade III rider, Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus will take to the arena at 15.35 (BST) and Grade V rider, Sophie Wells and Don Cara M are set to go 17.24 (BST).

Photo credit: Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer earn a bronze medal © British Equestrian / Jon Stroud Media