The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17, 2008
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17, 2008
(HONG KONG, September 8) -- South Africa joined Germany in taking the first two Equestrian gold medals in the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games when the Individual Championship Tests in Grades II and IV were decided at HK Equestrian (Shatin) on Monday, September 8.
Fourteen Grade IV riders displayed their Dressage skills to get the best from their horses, but Philippa Johnson's (South Africa) electrifying performance with Benedict won her the gold medal with a top score of 69.290 points.
The intricate steps of "enjoying the canter so much that I forgot I was supposed to trot" helped Johnson to overcome the efforts of Ann Cathrin Lubbe (Norway) riding her faithful Zanko, the horse that helped her claim the gold in the Athens 2004 Games. In third place was Georgia Bruce (Australia), astride V Salute, with a score of 68.258, just 0.254 points behind Lubbe.
Earlier in the day, a determined Britta Naepel (Germany), who contested the Grade II Championship, got the best out of Cherubin 15 to score 71.909 and win the gold medal. Saying that she felt awful with the horse's performance in the Team Test on Sunday, she "got a little angry with myself and became stronger, and more empowered in this competition."
Lauren Barwick (Canada), who took silver with a score of 68.454, said that "it's been a dream and a goal of mine for the past eight years" to be among the medals. The medal would motivate her to continue in the sport she is so passionate about.
Bronze medalist Caroline Nielsen (Denmark) said gaining a 68.182 score and being among the medalists was "what I'd dreamt of and it's a tremendous effort from a new horse and a new coach."
The debut by Peng Yulian (China), who scored 64.545 and finished ninth, was cheered by the spectators who also applauded when Nelson Yip Siu-hong (Hong Kong), riding Icy Bet, entered the arena. Yip, who tailed the list of competitors, said he was satisfied with his performance, no matter what the score and "I am happy to compete on home soil."
