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2012 London Olympic Games - First-Time Lucky: Paralympic Débutants Take Grades II and Ia
Sunday, September 2, 2012
Posted by FEI



Natasha Baker from Great Britain scoops the first equestrian gold medal in Grade II. Britta Napel on the left and Angelika Trabert (GER) on the right taking silver and bronze (Photo:© FEI/Liz Gregg)
The crowd greeted the medallists with a Mexican wave that toured the arena at least four times and made for an exceptionally moving prize-giving ceremony.
A new champion for Grade Ib
Another Paralympic first-timer stole the show this afternoon by dethroning the most decorated Para-Equestrian of all time, Lee Pearson, with an elegant and harmonious performance on her stallion Worldwide PB. Australia’s Joann Formosa’s third place on Thursday had alerted some to her medal potential, but it hadn’t really crossed anyone’s mind that she would be able to take on Lee Pearson and Pepo Puch on her second international appearance! The last time Joann competed internationally was in 2006 at Hartpury where she first met Lee Pearson and set her sights on one day winning gold at a Paralympic Games. “It’s been the goal of my life” she said emotionally after the prize-giving ceremony, “when I’m out there I feel great. I may not have great legs, I may be a bit sluggish on some days, but put me on a horse and I am different person. I am free”.
It wasn’t an easy task getting here with lots of training alongside constant medical attention and fundraising but thanks to the formidable Australian team, which she wished could come on the podium to receive the medal with her, she has achieved what she came out here to do.
Silver went to Lee Pearson who was very humble in defeat and genuinely proud of what he had done today. “I am just as proud of this silver medal as I am of my gold medals” he said after the prize giving ceremony. “It’s a numbers game. There are sports where you can only win one medal, whereas I have three chances. I hope to come out and redeem myself in the freestyle.”
Third place went to former Event rider Pepo Puch from Austria riding Fine Feeling. Puch was top of the FEI Rankings for Grade Ib coming to the Paralympics, so there were also a lot of expectations on his shoulders as well but as he said “there are many riders in this Grade who are of a very high standard. This class was all about good horsemanship – it was very tight”. His wife and daughter (and many Austrians in the crowds it seemed) have been following him every step of the way since he was forced to give up Eventing following his accident, producing an impressive cheer for him during the prize-giving ceremony and a warm welcome when he crossed over into the public area of the arena.
All in all a day of great emotion and personal achievements
Waving crowds
For those of you that are not here to witness it, there is something very unique happening in the arena. At the end of each test, and at the request of certain riders, the crowds are told to refrain from clapping until the horse is with the handler – so instead of clapping, the public have taken to waving their hands and flags in the air, producing a silent but very visual clap and as soon as the handlers are within reach, the crowds let loose.
Quotes
Joann Formosa (AUS) Grade Ib “I wanted to be in the top ten, but really I wanted the gold. I knew what I wanted – I may not be good at walking, but I’m good at getting what I want.”
Joan Formosa (AUS) Gade Ib “He’s a stallion which is very unusual for Para-Equestrian sport, but he doesn’t behave like one . even around mares. He’s a real sweetie.”
Natasha Baker (GBR) Grade II “I screamed wow and kept screaming wow. I couldn’t have asked for any better.”
Natasha Baker (GBR) Grade II “What0’s better than one medal? Two medals. I’ll be going for another medal on Monday.”
Lee Pearson (GBR), Grade Ib “I was the most nervous I’ve ever been, mostly because Gentleman is so insecure. I thought Blue Circle Boy had an odd personality until I met Gentleman… But I was really pleased with the way I rode today and with Gentleman – whether that’s enough I don’t know but if someone rides better and their horse goes better, I will be really pleased for them.”
Lee Pearson (GBR), Grade Ib “It’s been a tough competition, a tough year, and Gentleman is a tough horse to keep on top of his game. I’m genuinely delighted with silver.”
Pepo Puch (AUT) Grade Ib “She is really my coach. I used to be a horse trainer, but now she trains me. If I’m not balanced in the saddle, she will straighten me out. I’ve had her for three and a half years and she’s a very spoilt ballerina.”
Jonathan Wentz (USA) Grade Ib “I’m really looking forward to the freestyle because the music lifts my horse who is normally very laidback.”
Barbara Minneci (BEL) Grade II “I was really pleased with the performance. Barilla was really listening to me and it was even better.”
London 2012 Equestrian Hub
Check out the London 2012 hub on the FEI website here for links and information regarding the schedule and results, rider biographies, FEI History Hub, photo galleries, rules, guide to classification and more.
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