DRESSAGE rider Simon Laurens will return from Hong Kong with a Beijing Paralympic team gold, the first Islander to gain such an honour.

So although there was disappointment for the Team GB rider yesterday after his horse becamse unsettled and he finished  eighth in the individual grade 3 test, which counted for the team medals, he will definitely return with a tangible reward.

There was a strong start for Great Britain on the first day with Laurens and his fellow team members finishing in first or second places in their respective grades. With a lead of 16 points over closest rivals Germany, this was further consolidated on the second day, yesterday, with both Anne Dunham and Lee Pearson winning their individual classes and Sophie Christiansen placing second to Anne. As the three best performances contributed to the team total, it allowed Lauren’s to be discounted.

Tomorrow Laurens is hoping for a better result in the individual freestyle to music as he is the reigning para world champion at this discipline. ‘I have nothing to lose,’ he said, ‘so I will really be going for it.’