Katie’s sights set on Paris

Para equestrian ace Katie Radzik hopes to go from watching her hero star at the Tokyo Paralympics to competing alongside her at Paris 2024.

The 32-year-old from

Ashford cites grade five para dressage rider Sophie Wells as a source of inspiration and has even trained with her. Wells, a year younger than Radzik, won team gold and individual silver in Japan to add to her four Paralympic medals - two gold, two silver - from 2012 and 2016.

Radzik loved watching Wells take the big stage by storm and is relishing the prospect of following in her footsteps. She said: “My sporting heroes are Charlotte Dujardin in able-bodied dressage and Sophie Wells, grade five paradressage - obviously both equestrian stars!

“I really enjoyed my lessons with Sophie and any opportunity I have, I take it with both hands. You just don’t turn it down because there’s not many people that can say they’ve trained with a gold medallist.

“My aim is Paris 2024. Obviously to get on the Paralympic team is everybody’s dream, so it’s extremely hard work.

“It’s just about keeping going and maintaining good horse and para-athlete fitness.” Radzik’s burgeoning career is fuelled by an innovative partnership between Entain - owner of Ladbrokes and Coral - and leading sports charity SportsAid and she is hoping ParalympicsGB’s success can propel the popularity of the sport to new heights.

“They’re all very talented and they’re amazing riders,” she added. “I think everyone should watch the Paras to see how they control horses with their disability - it’s been amazing.”

One British rider unable to compete in Tokyo was eighttime Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen, due to a vet issue with her horse.

But Radzik, who knows 165 of the 227 members of the ParalympicsGB squad in Tokyo have also received financial support and recognition from SportsAid, reckons that has given the team’s other stars - like Wells - a crucial chance to shine. She said: “Sophie’s won the gold medal for grade one and obviously like everyone, she was working towards Tokyo so I do feel sorry for her.

“But also, I think it’s been quite exciting that we had a new member of the Paralympic squad out there, so it switched things up for Britain.”