Natasha Baker from Great Britain scoops the first equestrian gold medal in Grade II. Britta Napel on the left and Angelika Trabert (GER) on the right taking silver and bronze © FEI/Liz Gregg Lots of firsts today with the first equestrian medals of the London 2012 Paralmypic Games won by first-time Paralympians

Paralympic Dressage Day Two by Ellie Brimmer with photos by Lindsay McCall Donna Ponessa and Western Rose Friday was still cold and windy but we were all grateful for the lack of rain.

By Lindsay McCall London, England, United Kingdom–August 29, 2012 – Every tear shed, every mile traveled, and every salute in the show ring over the last few years have now led to this moment at the 2012 London Paralympic Equestrian competition held in Greenwich Park. Before riders and coaches could breathe a sigh of relief seventy-eight horse and rider combinations stepped forward for the official horse inspection. Each team and individual presented their mounts at a trot in front of the competition officials including the veterinary commission and ground jury

With just 24 hours to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, excitement and great expectations are building up in the Olympic venues dotted around the city whilst record ticket sales – over 2.2 million tickets sold – are already hailing this edition as the greatest ever. This will be the fifth time Para-Equestrian Dressage is on the programme but it is the first time it is held in a country with such a strong Para-Equestrian culture, so strong that since it became a Paralympic sport in 1996, Great Britain has held the team title on every occasion as well as leading the individual medal count by a whopping margin.