The Paralympic dressage at Paris 2024 kicks off next week (Tuesday 3 September) and we can’t wait to watch the British riders and other nations perform on the world stage.
Channel 4 has secured rights to coverage, which will include live footage and daily highlight shows. Various other providers are available for those living outside the UK. To find out how to watch from your home country, follow this link.
Here are the key dates and times (listed in GMT) of the equestrian sport, so you don’t miss a moment of the action…
Tuesday 3 September
Para Grand Prix Grade I – III, Individual Final: 9am – 5.17pm
Grade I – III Individual Medal Ceremony: 5.17pm – 5.57pm
Wednesday 4 September
Para Grand Prix Grade IV – V, Individual Final: 9am – 2.06pm
Grade IV – V Individual Medal Ceremony: 2.06pm – 2.36pm
Friday 6 September
Para Grand Prix Special, Team Final: 9am – 4.14pm
Team Medal Ceremony – 4.14pm – 5.10pm
Saturday 7 September
Grade IV Para Grand Prix Freestyle: 9am – 10.27am
Grade V Para Grand Prix Freestyle: 10.27am – 12.04pm
Grade I Para Grand Prix Freestyle: 12.04pm – 1.31pm
Grade II Para Grand Prix Freestyle: 1.31pm – 2.38pm
Grade III Para Grand Prix Freestyle: 2.58pm – 4.10pm
Individual Freestyle Medal Ceremonies: 4.10pm – 5.10pm
High hopes for British squad
Four combinations will be representing Team GB. Three medal-winning riders from Tokyo 2020 feature in the all-female squad, in addition to the current para dressage world number one, who will be making her Games debut.
Natasha Baker has been selected for her fourth Games and her second with Keystone Dawn Chorus (Lottie). As a new partnership in Tokyo, they won team gold, individual silver and freestyle silver, adding to the five golds that the Grade 3 rider previously won at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
Mari Durward-Akhurst will make her Paralympic Games debut in Paris. Previously a team silver medallist at the FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2019, the Grade 1 rider now partners experienced horse Athene Lindebjerg, who contested Rio 2016 with Sophie Christiansen to win triple gold.
Georgia Wilson and Sakura have also been selected. They made their Games debut at Tokyo 2020, where they won individual and freestyle bronze. Since then, the Grade 2 rider has achieved podium placings at the FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2022 and FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2023.
Sophie Wells is another athlete to make her fourth Games appearance in Paris. The Grade 5 rider took three golds and three silvers across London 2012 and Rio 2016, followed by team gold and individual silver at Tokyo 2020 with new ride Don Cara M.
Lead image: Sophie Wells, Georgia Wilson, Natasha Baker and Mari Durward-Akhurst. Credit: Jon Stroud Media
