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WELLS’ VICTORY TAKES BRITAIN TO TOP OF THE MEDAL TABLE by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 10 October – Para Dressage rider Sophie Wells claimed Grade 4 Freestyle gold to put Great Britain at the top of the medal table as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games came to a close at the Horse Park in Kentucky, USA today having attracted a massive attendance of over 500,000 spectators to the 16-day extravaganza. The British Para squad have been in fantastic form, scooping six individuals gold medals along with the team title.  And Wells steered her 13 year old gelding Pinocchio to victory today despite a glitch in her test.

Belgium’s Michele George took silver with FBW Rainman ahead of The Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar and Tiesto in bronze.

STOPPED
Wells’ test began well.  “I was quite happy with my trot but then when I picked up the walk he came against me and my first movement was a compulsory, which was a simple change, and he stopped!” she explained.  Now she had to make a quick decision.  “I knew I had to find somewhere else in my plan where I could put in another simple change, so all the time I was going through my next movements I was trying to think where I could put it in, and I didn’t want to mess up my floor plan because it’s good and they give you marks for that as well – times three,” she explained.

“I needed to do my compulsory again, so the only thing I thought was my last centerline.  I usually do tempis down it and I thought – right – I can try and fit in two simple changes going from each rein, but then I came around and I was too far behind my music for it!” she said.  For her all her concern however, her score of 78.500 was a winning one.

DELIGHTED
George was delighted with silver medal position with Rainman.  “It was very good, I am flattered with that” she said.  “I won the first day and the second day he got spooky from the flash of the cameras so I didn’t have a chance that day and I said that today will be my day, and fortunately it was.  It was very nice,” she explained.  And she had every reason to be especially pleased, as her gelding is only eight years old. “This is the first big competition for him and me, so I am very glad,” she added.

Hosmar also knew he had done a good job.  “I’m really satisfied,” he said.  “I think it came out just the way I liked it – just maybe the pirouette could have been a little rounder, but he was so relaxed and nice to ride.  The whole canter part was nice,” he pointed out.

The standard of today’s competition was exceptional, but the standard throughout the entire Para Dressage Championship has been little short of extraordinary.  And the USA’s Mary Jordan put it into perspective when she said, “This has been an incredible experience.  As a member of the US team I crave more of this.  I feel the more we get a chance to show in front of these international judges we can make a name for ourselves and keep laying down solid performances that will get the judge’s attention.” Like many of her fellow-competitors this week she knows the sport is in good shape and she’s looking forward to the future. “I’m really hopeful that this will ignite a passion amongst people at all levels to get involved and support us as we move towards the London Olympic Games,” she added.

FEI TV – As well as live competition coverage throughout the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, FEI TV will make all competitions available post-event via VoD, plus an exclusive daily 30-minute VoD highlights show from the Kentucky Horse Park featuring the best of the day’s action, interviews, previews and reviews. There will also be lots of behind the scenes footage available.  Check out www.feitv.org.

Facts and Figures:
Great Britain headed the medal table as the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games drew to a close today and the Para Dressage athletes made a huge contribution.
The British Para Dressage athletes took gold in the following competitions:
Individual tests – Lee Pearson (1b), Sophie Christiansen (1a), Sophie Wells (IV), Freestyle tests – Lee Pearson(Ib), Emma Sheardown (Ia), Sophie Wells (IV).
Team Gold – Lee Pearson, Sophie Christianse, Anne Dunham and Jo Pitt.
Team GB also took 3 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Team GBR as a whole topped the medal table with nine golds, 7 silver and 3 bronze – nineteen in total and 13 in Para Dressage.

Quote:
Madison Lawson, Canada, talking about her horse, McGuire – “He’s my No. 1, he is everything to me – my best friend.  He knows me better than anyone else. Normally I get very nervous and it was a test of my nerves but we survived.  The WEG experience has been nothing but positive.”

Audio Links:
Sophie Wells (GB) Winner of two Gold medals – Para Dressage http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/WEG_wells_end.mp3
Lee Pearson (GB) Winner of 3 Gold Medals – Para Dressage http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/WEG_Pearson_end.mp3

ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES – PARA DRESSAGE

Results Freestyle Grade 4 – 1 (Gold) Pinocchio (Sophie Wells) GBR 78.500; 2 (Silver) FBW Rainman (Michele George) BEL 78.050; 3 (Bronze) Tiesto (Frank Hosmar) NED 77.250.

Full results and startlists at www.alltechfeigames.com.

Founded by Dr. Pearse Lyons, Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with 30 years’ experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. With more than 2300 employees in 120 countries, the company has developed a strong regional presence in Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle-East, Africa and Asia.  For downloadable press resources and information, visit http://vip.alltech.com/pressbox.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines – Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few Olympic sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes – horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.  For further information, visit www.fei.org.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is the World Championship of equestrian sport and runs for 16 days, from Saturday 25 September to Sunday 10 October.  It includes eight separate disciplines – Reining, Endurance, Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Jumping, Vaulting and Para-Dressage – and this is the first time for the Games to be held outside Europe.

Media Contact:
Grania Willis
FEI Director Press Relations
Tel: +41 787 506 142
Email: grania.willis@fei.org