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Sophie Wells
British Paralympic dressage rider was overcome with joy as she wins a Silver medal in Tokyo, riding her talented dressage horse Don Cara. Sophie Wells (31) has a good record winning medals and this silver medal will be added to the four other medals won at London and Rio. Below you can watch Sophie in action at the Rio Olympics in 2016 where she won gold.
Sophie won team and individual gold medals with Pinnochio at the Para Europeans `09. She made history in 2010 when selected for the able-bodied team for the Young Rider European Champs`, the first Para rider to do so.
I was born with amniotic band syndrome, which has affected my hands and ankles, I lost many of my fingers and function in the remaining ones. The doctors managed to save my feet, however the constriction of the bands has left me with lack of function and problems with my calves.
I started riding at the age of six at the local riding club. I did all the usual riding club and pony club activities, although struggled a lot with normal reins. I would go over a jump and lose my reins, go over another jump and lose my reins again, however, it taught me not to rely on them!
When I was ten I started training with Vicki Thompson for three years, and she gave me a great start in the sport of dressage. I then went on to train with Tracey Woodhead, and now train with Angela Weiss. Angela is also coach to the World Class Para Dressage Development Squad which I have been on since 2004.
Para dressage riders are classified according to their degree of physical disability and range from Grade I to IV. Grade I riders have a greater degree of disability than Grade IV and the tests reflect this in the movements that they are required to be perform. Grade IV freestyle can be up to Prix St Georges level.
In 2008, I was first reserve for Team GB for the Paralympics in Hong Kong on my then new horse Touchdown M. I also competed in able-bodied competitions up to Prix St Georges and Junior level and was the first para to win an able-bodied international, the Hickstead CDIJY. I won the Para Grade IV Championship at Hartpury International as an individual and was on the winning team. My good run of form continued with Para wins at the Spring Championships and the National Championships.
2009 was a fantastic year including Hartpury International where I won all three classes and was on the winning team with my new ride, Pinocchio (Noki), and came second in all three classes with my younger horse Valerius (Reece)! The highlight of the year, and my career so far, was winning triple gold on Pinnochio at the European Para Championships in Norway.
I acheived one of my career ambitions in 2010 by being selected with Pinocchio for the Young Rider European Championships in Kronberg, Germany, the first Para rider to be selected for an able-bodied team. It was an amazing experience, I achieved good scores and the team placed a close sixth. I have also been selected for the Para team for WEG, again with Pinocchio, although Valerius has been performing well too and has been named as reserve. It`s going to be a very busy year!
On the non-horsey front, I am studying for a degree at Lincoln University, although I am currently taking a year out so I can concentrate on my horses. I also teach and ride for other people.
Sophie Wells - UK - Para Dressage Rdier 
Valerius & Sophie Wells Grade IV Kur PB 80.700% Hartpury CPEDI***
Sophie won team and individual gold medals with Pinnochio at the Para Europeans `09. She made history in 2010 when selected for the able-bodied team for the Young Rider European Champs`, the first Para rider to do so.
I was born with amniotic band syndrome, which has affected my hands and ankles, I lost many of my fingers and function in the remaining ones. The doctors managed to save my feet, however the constriction of the bands has left me with lack of function and problems with my calves.
I started riding at the age of six at the local riding club. I did all the usual riding club and pony club activities, although struggled a lot with normal reins. I would go over a jump and lose my reins, go over another jump and lose my reins again, however, it taught me not to rely on them!
When I was ten I started training with Vicki Thompson for three years, and she gave me a great start in the sport of dressage. I then went on to train with Tracey Woodhead, and now train with Angela Weiss. Angela is also coach to the World Class Para Dressage Development Squad which I have been on since 2004.
Para dressage riders are classified according to their degree of physical disability and range from Grade I to IV. Grade I riders have a greater degree of disability than Grade IV and the tests reflect this in the movements that they are required to be perform. Grade IV freestyle can be up to Prix St Georges level.
In 2008, I was first reserve for Team GB for the Paralympics in Hong Kong on my then new horse Touchdown M. I also competed in able-bodied competitions up to Prix St Georges and Junior level and was the first para to win an able-bodied international, the Hickstead CDIJY. I won the Para Grade IV Championship at Hartpury International as an individual and was on the winning team. My good run of form continued with Para wins at the Spring Championships and the National Championships.
2009 was a fantastic year including Hartpury International where I won all three classes and was on the winning team with my new ride, Pinocchio (Noki), and came second in all three classes with my younger horse Valerius (Reece)! The highlight of the year, and my career so far, was winning triple gold on Pinnochio at the European Para Championships in Norway.
I acheived one of my career ambitions in 2010 by being selected with Pinocchio for the Young Rider European Championships in Kronberg, Germany, the first Para rider to be selected for an able-bodied team. It was an amazing experience, I achieved good scores and the team placed a close sixth. I have also been selected for the Para team for WEG, again with Pinocchio, although Valerius has been performing well too and has been named as reserve. It`s going to be a very busy year!
On the non-horsey front, I am studying for a degree at Lincoln University, although I am currently taking a year out so I can concentrate on my horses. I also teach and ride for other people.
Sophie Wells - UK - Para Dressage Rdier
