PARALYMPICS: Silver for Laurens and Dunham

11:11pm Saturday 13th September 2008

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BRITAIN’S riders took their total medal haul to five gold and five silver medals in Hong Kong this week – the most at any Paralympic Games - with the Cotswold duo of Anne Dunham and Simon Laurens adding to their earlier successes on the final day of the competition.

Dunham, who trains at the Talland School of Equitation in Cirencester, was denied a third gold medal at the Sha Tin racecourse-based competition by fellow Brit Sophie Christensen.

Christiansen and Dunham took gold and silver respectively in the freestyle (dressage to music) Grade 1a event.

Christiansen said: “I am pleased for Anne, she really deserves it. If it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be at such a high standard. We really push each other.”

Dunham, 59, was quick to praise her horse, Teddy Edwards.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and Teddy was a really good boy. He did everything spot on and the judges loved it.

“This has been my best Paralympics not only for the venue but because I came here with a horse I knew, a true partner.”

Lee Pearson picked up his third gold of the week in impressive style with a score of 77.06% in the Grade 1b event.

Pearson’s team-mate Ricky Balshaw won silver.

Grade III rider Simon Laurens, from Birdlip, added to his team gold with a silver in the freestyle section, thanks to a Latin-tinged performance to a Ricky Martin soundtrack.

“At last, I am over the moon,” said Laurens, who clinched his medal with a score of 73.5%.

“That’s much more like Ocean Diamond. I’m pleased for the horse and myself.

“I chose the soundtrack because I don’t like boring music. It’s lively for me and the horse likes it as well.

“He’s a little Latin mover. It’s been awesome, amazing. I’ve had ups and downs but to finish like that is great.”