Pearson ready to ride to glory

DRESSAGE rider Lee Pearson believes only Lady Luck stands between him and his seventh Paralympic gold medal in Beijing.

The 34-year-old Staffordshire rider, who bagged six golds in Athens and Sydney, has already claimed eleven World and European medals en-route to Beijing.

 And Pearson, who suffers from muscle debilitating arthrogryposis, is confident of conquering Germany and Norway to augment his medal haul onboard Games debutant Gentleman

 "I've had loads of mishaps over the years with broken bones and horses going lame but I've managed to get to the last two games and fingers crossed we will make it to Hong Kong," said Pearson

 "Me, myself and my horse are the biggest contenders against each other, then there's team mate Ricky Balshaw and Lynn Seidemann from the USA.

 "In terms of teams Germany and Norway are our biggest threat this year."

 "We are classified as very disabled riders compared to other countries but we are very strong in these grades."

 Riding with splints that support his entire leg from his backside to his heels, Pearson has become one of the most successful Paralympians, collecting both an MBE and an OBE following his double Olympic success.

 But the First Chairman of the International Equestrian Federation Athletes' Committee knows his hat-trick bid will depend as much on his horse as himself.

 "Gentleman is a young horse, but he has been brilliant over the selection trials. The hard work really starts now, though, and I want to wrap him up in cotton wool."

 "He has only ever ridden eight Dressage tests in his life, so we will need to use all the talent that we have."

KIRSTY WHITTLE