Saturday, 28 August 2021
Day one of the teams tests at Bajikoen was full of twists and turns, but the two British riders gave us a strong start to put a medal in sight. Grade 2 rider Lee Pearson and Breezer posted 77.636% to open the account, which Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus then boosted with 76.618% to end the day in the Grade 3.
The Grade 2 riders were first to get the battle for the team medals underway. Never in Paralympic history has the competition for a spot on the podium been so fierce, with a dozen or so countries in contention.
The rider nominated for ParalympicsGB was none other than individual gold medallist Sir Lee Pearson with his homebred ride Breezer. With just three riders nominated for the team, bronze medal duo Georgia Wilson and Sakura sat this test out, but will be back in the medal fight on Monday’s freestyle.
In the glow of the evening light, Lee had quite a fresh Breezer on his hands, with the sensitive gelding by Bacardi very much on his toes. However, when you have 12 Paralympic gold medals to your name, you have the skills needed to give your partner confidence. It was a flowing performance and accurate to a pin-point, but Lee certainly had to ride with tact to get the balance of power and relaxation right so as to not push Breezer over the edge.
A four-square halt brought a great finale to the test. The judges were mixed in their opinion, with scores ranging from 80.294% to 74.265%, but the final score of 77.636% was plenty good enough to give Great Britain an early lead at the end of the first class.
Lee said afterwards: “I’m over the moon with that. It’s a lovely score, but he really doesn’t like that Paralympic arena! He was quite frightened in there – he’s a really sensitive soul and a horse like that tightens when he feels intimidated. Walking is about the worst thing! I’m so proud of him, though – I held his hand and he trusted me. It could have been a different story completely! I rode like we were on eggshells, he’s that sensitive. That said, when he’s on-side, that sensitivity is good.”
The Grade 1 competition followed and the lead passed to the team from the USA when their individual gold medallist and world number one Roxanne Trunnell, riding Dolton, posted another +80% score. Sara Morganti also put Italy in the mix with a stellar 79.286%. The lead changed regularly throughout the day depending on how many riders each nation had competing across the three grades competing.
The final rider on the first day of the team competition was Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, who’s owned by Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, Phil Baker and herself. Briming with confidence following their individual silver performance yesterday, the duo entered the arena with an air of determination. The scores were tight between the British team and their main rivals for a medal, so a score of at least 75% was needed to keep us in front.
Natasha and Lottie’s ride notched things up a gear from yesterday – despite a tricky test full of twists and turns, everything had a pleasing flow. The all-important transitions up and down were clear and well-presented with good crossing in the leg yields, but there was just a single blip in one of the walk half-pirouettes – which aren’t Natasha’s favourite.
Their final score was announced as 76.618% – a great boost for the team total, as well as for their own confidence.
She told the media afterwards: “She was on it tonight! Yesterday she went in and was like ‘whoa’, whereas tonight she went in there and knew her job – ears pricked the whole time, she was really enjoying it in there today. I’m annoyed about that pirouette, but it’s an impossible movement for somebody with no use of their legs. I’m just thrilled, she went in with so much more confidence and that was my ultimate goal for her. She really let me ride her today and the trot felt so much better, and we had a bit more relaxation in the walk. The final centre line was a bit wobbly but I’m really happy. She felt really ‘up’ and powerful, more like the feeling I’ve had at other competitions this year. It’s a great score for the team, so I’m really happy with that – I can’t ask for more really.
Natasha’s score combined with Lee’s put ParalympicsGB in gold position of the teams who’ve had two riders gone, just 1.7% over the USA with team Denmark close behind. Sophie Wells will compete the British line-up tomorrow with Don Cara M in the Grade 5 test, riding at 10:56 BST. However, the teams from Germany, Belgium and The Netherlands still have two riders to go, so it’s still wide open.
“It’s all to play for tomorrow,” said Natasha. “It would mean the world for us to get on the podium, just incredible with horses who haven’t been to a championship. It’s insane that we’re even talking about the podium. I know that Sophie [Wells] will give the best test tomorrow that she possibly can. We’ll see where that puts us.”
Canada has completed their team total with all three riders going today so a combined total of 211.699% is the benchmark for the teams tomorrow. Singapore have also completed with 200.792%.
Find out how to follow tomorrow’s exciting climax to the team competitions on our Tokyo Hub.