Para stars aim for reining worlds

BRITISH para dressage riders have made history by swapping disciplines and becoming the UK’s first para reiners to qualify for the World Championships.

Lee Pearson, Ricky Balshaw and Fiona Maynard have qualified for the championships held in the Netherlands (4-9 July).

The trio secured the scores they needed at the International Garden of England Spring

Show (26-30 May) at Bodiam International Arena, East Sussex.

Ricky, who retired last year, sat on a horse for the first time in 12 months two days before the event.

“There was a great atmosphere and I enjoyed every second,” Ricky told H&H, adding he “couldn’t have asked for a better horse”.

He rode Francesca Sternberg’s stallion Yelena My Way, who has competed internationally.

Organiser Francesca was delighted by the event’s success.

“These riders have showcased their exceptional talents in an outstanding demonstration that proves reining and horses can open doors for so many people with disabilities,” she said. “I look forward to the world reining event and feel confident our riders will be very competitive and a huge credit to Britain as always.”

A crowdfunder has been set up to send a British team to the championships and a fundraising event takes place at Bodiam on 11 June. Visit Para Reining UK on Facebook for details.