High rider Sophie Christiansen retires after sparking profession

British para dressage legend Sophie Christiansen retires after a 20-year competitors profession, wherein she has gained 27 senior championship medals for Britain.

Sophie made the announcement at present (5 November) however joked that “you gained’t do away with me that simply”, as she intends to work throughout the sport to assist others obtain their goals.

“I used to be as soon as instructed, ‘when you understand, you understand’,” Sophie mentioned. “I used to marvel what this meant, however now I realise that I’m extra excited concerning the potentialities of what I may do exterior the game than doing one other four-year cycle of highs and lows as an athlete.

“It took an entire military to assist me accomplish what I’ve, from my coaches to my household, [Riding for the Disabled Association] RDA volunteers to PE lecturers, my PAs to my PTs, and naturally those that have helped me fundraise and have donated so generously. I can’t even start to place into phrases how humbled I’m by your perception and assist.

“I clearly can’t identify you all, however I hope that you know the way extremely grateful I’m. To have the ability to kind unimaginable partnerships with such sort, proficient horses has been a privilege and an honour.”

Sophie mentioned it goes with out saying how a lot para dressage has given her.

“Sport has empowered me to redefine what I assumed was doable, to maintain breaking boundaries in all areas of my life,” she mentioned. “I began using with the RDA after I was six years previous with a view to assist with my incapacity. Coming from a non-horsey household, I doubt that I’d have ever sat on a horse with out the RDA. Folks started seeing my potential as a youngster and urged that I began para dressage at South Bucks RDA. I’ve all the time been aggressive, so with the ability to discover a sport that I may excel at was an entire recreation changer! South Bucks RDA guided me rigorously from being categorised, to competing on the RDA Nationals, to changing into chosen for my first Paralympic Video games at simply 16 years previous – three years after taking over the game.”

That first Video games was in Athens 2004, the primary Paralympics at which riders have been on their very own horses. However Sophie rode Hotstuff, who belonged to her teammate Nicola Tustain. On the age of 16, Sophie gained her first medal, a bronze. She competed at 4 successive Paralympics, including eight gold medals and a silver to her tally.

“I’m so indebted as the entire expertise [of Athens] modified my life,” Sophie mentioned. “As a youngster with a incapacity, I used to be very shy and self-conscious about my speech impairment, however seeing these superb disabled athletes getting on with their lives and joking about it on the identical time, I needed to be seen on this constructive mild too. In fact, now you all may have seen this on TV, however again then I had by no means seen the Paralympics within the media. I gained a particularly sudden bronze medal which lit the hearth in me to go on and win 27 European, world and Paralympic gold medals for Nice Britain.

“I used to be fortunate sufficient to have a extremely nice assist workforce round me to have the ability to keep it up my schooling alongside fulfilling my sporting goals. Elite sport has taught me so many alternative expertise that I used to be in a position to obtain a firstclass masters diploma and begin a profession at a prestigious firm as a software program developer in London.”

Sophie Christiansen retires having additionally been awarded an MBE within the 2009 New 12 months Honours checklist for providers to disabled sport and an OBE within the 2012 New 12 months Honours checklist. That 12 months, Sophie grew to become a triple gold medallist on the London Paralympics, which she mentioned was “past my wildest goals”.

“Having my brother and cousins begin a chant of “We love you, Sophie!” by 10,000 spectators was simply insane!” she mentioned. “The recollections nonetheless give me goosebumps. It was right here that my double life as a Paralympic gold medallist with a profession gave me a platform to focus on the boundaries that disabled folks face in society. I hope that in a roundabout way I could make a distinction and create a extra equitable world.

“The very best evening of my life (earlier than my wedding ceremony to Peter subsequent 12 months!) was BBC Sport Character of the 12 months 2016. I used to be so shocked to be nominated amongst 16 sporting celebrities. My mission on the evening was to not come final! The BBC made an incredible video about my story, which I believe actually resonated with the general public. Through the dwell present, solely the highest three have been introduced. I keep in mind I used to be standing with my household on the afterparty, when Clare Balding, who has identified me since I used to be 16 years previous, got here operating as much as me with the ultimate outcomes saying “Sophie! Sophie! You got here fifth!”. To be ranked so extremely amongst sporting royalty was simply unimaginable.”

Sophie Christiansen retires loved unbelievable experiences by her sport, and bonded with many “exceptional” horses.

“Lately, I’ve needed to offer again to the game I’ve beloved a lot,” she mentioned.

“A part of this was to create a neighborhood of supporters by Sophie’s Gold Membership (SGC) to carry folks nearer to the motion of para dressage. By means of SGC ambassadors, I’ve mentored up-and-coming riders, supporting them on their very own journeys. I wish to work alongside the RDA, British Dressage and British Equestrian to proceed introducing folks to the world of para dressage in order that when one other ‘me’ comes alongside, they’ll additionally obtain their goals. You gained’t do away with me that simply!

“Sadly, I can not simply cling my bike within the storage or put my swimming costume in a drawer, I nonetheless have [my horse] William to consider. I’d love to seek out him a loving house the place this candy stallion will likely be adored as a lot as he’s by me.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over eight years working for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage guidelines to mules. Her sport of selection is showjumping, wherein she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping reveals by to worldwide championships.