JERSEY para dressage rider Simon Laurens has won a silver medal to go with his team gold at this year’s Paralympics.

Laurens had been leading in yesterday’s individual freestyle test to music, but was pipped again by German rider Hannalore Brenner, who took a clean sweep of the gold medals in his class. Laurens said, however, that he was delighted to make the podium after he and his horse Ocean Diamond scored 73.5 per cent with a Latin-inspired performance.

Laughing, he said: ‘That bloody German! No, seriously, I am over the moon. That’s much more like Ocean Diamond. I know I was aiming for gold and everyone always expects more but I’m pleased for the horse and myself. I chose the soundtrack because I don’t like boring music. It’s lively for me and the horse likes it as well. He’s a little Latin mover. It’s been awesome, amazing. I’ve had ups and downs but to finish like that is great.’

Earlier on in the week Laurens’ opening score was discounted towards the overall team test, as his three British team mates scored more highly to earn them the team gold – yet Laurens was entitled to the medal. The equestrian events in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games were staged in Hong Kong.