EQUESTRIAN: Dunham leads gold-fest (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

EQUESTRIAN: Dunham leads gold-fest

7:11pm Tuesday 9th September 2008

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ANNE DUNHAM topped even her remarkable achievements by winning two gold medals in dressage at the Paralympics in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Dunham has now collected gold medals at four consecutive Paralympics – Atlanta (1996), Sydney (2000), Athens (2004) and this year Hong Kong, where the Beijing equestrian events are being held.

Dunham, 59, led from the front as the British team – completed by Sophie Christiansen, Lee Pearson and Birdlip’s Simon Laurens – raced to the team gold.

Anne posted the top scores of 75.176% on Sunday and 73.10% on Tuesday, the second round score counting for the individual title which she was winning for the first time.

Team GB produced an overall score of 439.608, more than 26 points ahead of Germany, who took the silver medal at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Sha Tin racecourse, Hong Kong.

"I still can’t believe it," said Dunham. "I’m scared to pinch myself in case I wake up.

"I’m so grateful to my owners, my support team and my country.

"I am elated to at last win individual gold on a horse (Teddy Edwards) I produced myself.

"It’s been a long time coming. As I’ll be 60 soon, this is an early birthday present."

The remarkable mum from Broad Hinton in Wiltshire trains under Pammie Hutton at the Talland School of Equitation in Cirencester.

She suffers from multiple sclerosis and when not riding is restricted to using a wheelchair.

In addition to Anne’s double gold, team-mate Christiansen, on Lambrusco III, gave GB a one-two in the individual test grade 1A event by taking the silver.

Pearson (73.238%) claimed gold on Gentleman in the individual Test grade 1B event.

Laurens finished eighth in the Grade III individual test, but his mark of 62.880% helped his country clinch team gold.

The efforts of the equestrian team have maintained the electric pace set by British athletes at the Paralympics so far.

By the end of day four they had amassed 16 golds, the same as host nation China, who lead the table by view of winning more silvers and bronzes.

Dunham’s Games could get better yet as she bids for a third gold in the Dressage to Music, arguably her best discipline, on Thursday.

"It’s finally sunk in," said Berkshire student Christiansen. "I’m so pleased. I couldn’t have asked for more. I knew it would be close but I’m really happy for Anne."

Great Britain is represented in 18 of the 20 sports and by 206 Athletes at the Games. At the Athens 2004 Paralympics, Britain finished second in the medal table with a total of 35 golds, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals.

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