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116 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2011 FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE D R E S S A G E

Lee Pearson:

Story and Photos by Lauren R. Giannini

Great Britain’s Lee Pearson CBE hasn’t missed a gold medal since he started competing internationally. Riding in the FEI discipline of para dressage, he won Individual, Freestyle and Team Gold at the Sydney Olympics on a borrowed horse. He replicated the feat again in Athens 2004 aboard his beloved Blue Circle Boy (aka “Gus”.) Ditto, in Beijing 2008: Lee partnered with Gentleman, a horse he trained himself from a basic walk, trot, and canter. Lee’s three European titles and six world championships in para dressage include his recent triumphant visit to the United States for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. In the heart of bluegrass country at the Kentucky Horse Park, Lee and Gentleman scored another golden hat trick in the Team, Individual and Freestyle championships. “It was phenomenal,” statedLee, who lives inStaffordshire (UK) close to his training yard. “It was the frst time that para equestrian had been part of the World Equestrian Games. So it was very special to be with able-bodied competitors and to be part of the frst para equestrian medals awarded.”

An Independent Childhood

Lee was born in 1974 with Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita: in the womb, his muscles grew like scar tissue. By the age of six he had endured 15 operations. He frst experienced being in the media spotlight in 1980: Prime

Minister Margaret Thatcher herself carried him up the steps of 10 Downing Street in London for the youngster to receive a Children of Courage Award.

His love of all things horses started in childhood. When his parents saw he couldn’t pedal a bicycle to keep up with his brothers and friends, they bought him a donkey. Lee has always loved horses, so he was thrilled the Christmas he got a pony. “I had a brilliant childhood,” recalled Lee. “I have very strong-minded parents and I was encouraged to be independent and do whatever my two older brothers did. My mother helped me get the riding lessons. She had to watch me bouncing around and falling off. She’d say ‘if you fall off and break anything, we’ll take you to the hospital. If you haven’t, you get back on again.’ I think that’s really why I am where I am today.”

The career-changing moment took place after he left school and got an offce job that he hated: while watching the Atlanta Paralympics, he thought he might get into that. But a chance comment that he probably wouldn’t be good enough hit Lee like someone waving big red fags at a bull.

Grand Prix Goals

Lee has evolved into an extremely accomplished horseman. He trains able-bodied dressage riders as well as para equestrians. In 2003 he became the only disabled rider to win a title at the British Dressage National Championships. Plus, he has a huge goal of competing able-bodied in Grand Prix. He competed Gus at Prix St. Georges and was schooling the dun Hanoverian-Welsh gelding at Grand Prix level.

Lee Pearson, smiling at the cheers, exits the arena with Gentleman: they fnished frst on 73.81% in the Team test, helping Great Britain to score her frst para dressage gold medal at the Alltech Games

Before the bell to start their freestyle, Lee Pearson smiled at Gentleman’s warm-up but he later admitted that he had to ride every movement and was surprised they scored so well. It seems that Gentleman doesn’t quite live up to his name…