The para equestrian squad has been named for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games (3-7 September), with four combinations 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 Natasha previously won at London 2012 and Rio 2016.
The Grade 3 rider, who is contesting her first Games as mother to one-year-old son Joshua, said she was “ecstatic” to be part of the team.
“A lot has happened since Tokyo – not least the arrival of Joshua – and returning for what will be my fourth Paralympics Games, now as a mother, makes me incredibly proud,” she said. “To be at the top of my sport again is such an incredible feeling, especially with him as my number one supporter.
“I’m so grateful to my team for enabling me to go through such an amazing journey over the last couple of years and supporting me more than ever before. I’m really excited for the new challenge and to see what Lottie and I can achieve in Paris.”
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.
Mari, who in June became the world number one ranked athlete across all five para dressage grades, said she was “incredibly excited” to have been selected for her first Paralympics.
“It’s a dream come true,” she said. “I’m honoured to be riding Diane Redfern’s Athene and look forward to us competing together on the world’s biggest stage. I can’t thank everybody enough who has got us to this point.”
Georgia Wilson and Sakura made their Games debut at Tokyo 2020, where they won individual and freestyle bronze. Since then, they have achieved podium placings at the FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2022 and FEI Para Dressage European Championship in 2023.
On her return to the ParalympicsGB squad, Grade 2 rider Georgia said she was proud to be selected for Paris 2024.
“I can’t believe I get to go to a second Paralympic Games with Sakura,” she said. “I’m honoured and I can’t wait to go out and try my best in Paris.”
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.
Sophie, who has represented ParalympicsGB at every Paralympic Games, World Championship and European Championship since 2011, said she was thrilled to be selected.
“It still feels surreal when we get to this point,” she said. “I’ve been so proud of my horse, Don Cara M, throughout his selection campaign this year and am very grateful to his owner, Rowland Kinch. It’s starting to feel much more real now as we head into the final preparations for the Games.”
While all four combinations will compete for individual honours, three will also contest the team competition. The decision on this will be made before the start of competition in Paris.
Para equestrian’s Team Leader, Georgina Sharples is leading the squad for her second Games.
“It’s been a very strong campaign for all the British combinations aiming for the Games this year and they certainly didn’t make this an easy decision for the selection panel,” she said. “However, I must offer my congratulations to Mari, Georgia, Natasha and Sophie for being the chosen four and the achievements that lead them to this point.
“There’s a great balance of experience and potential between our four athletes, and I look forward to seeing what they can achieve when we reach Versailles. The competition from other nations has never been fiercer, but we go to Paris with every intention of challenging for podium placings and hopefully we can do everyone proud.
“None of this would have been possible without the support of our horse owners and the athletes’ home teams, who play such a vital role in our quest for success on the world’s biggest sporting stage.”
Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, added she was “very proud” that Team GB has such a successful record on the Paralympic stage.
“It’s clear Natasha, Georgia, Sophie and Mari – and their horses – are terrific talents,” she said. “I look forward to seeing them in action in Paris later this summer.”
The squad is as follows:
- Grade 1: Mari Durward-Akhurst with Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine’s Athene Lindebjerg
- Grade 2: Georgia Wilson with Geoff and Julie Wilson and her own Sakura
- Grade 3: Natasha Baker with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, Phil and Lorraine Baker and her own Keystone Dawn Chorus
- Grade 5: Sophie Wells with Rowland Kinch’s Don Cara M
Liz Geldard and Beth Revill will act as travelling grooms for the horses in Paris.
