JERSEY dressage rider Simon Laurens has been told that he is not only competing as an individual at this year’s Paralympics on his mount Ocean Diamond, but is also one of the four riders making up the Great Britain team.

The opening ceremony for the Games is today in Beijing, though the equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong.
Riders can be selected from any of the five grades of disability but must include at least one from grade one or two – the most severely afflicted.

Others chosen are Sophie Christiansen on Lambrusco, Anne Dunham on Teddy Edwards and Lee Pearson on Gentleman.  Unlike Simon, who is competing in his first Paralympics, they have been there and done it all before, collecting several gold medals between them.

Speaking from Hong Kong yesterday, Simon said that everyone had reached the venue safely and his horse had been trotted up and passed the preliminary veterinary inspection.

Pictured: Simon Laurens