ParalympicsGB gold medal hope and Britain’s most decorated equestrian rider misses Paris 2024 due to suspension

SIR LEE PEARSON is absent from the Paris Paralympics as he is suspended from riding and subject to an ongoing investigation.

Britain’s most decorated para-equestrian rider – he has 17 medals, including 14 golds, from six Games – is not in the squad that travelled across the Channel.

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AFP

Pearson, who last competed in March 2023, made himself unavailable for selection while a probe is being conducted by the British Equestrian Federation, the national governing body.

It is the second blow to hit the sport in Britain after Charlotte Dujardin quit Team GB in disgrace days before the start of the Paris Olympics after videos emerged of her repeatedly whipping a horse.

Horseman Pearson, 50, is Britain’s third-most successful Paralympian behind cyclist Sarah Storey and swimmer Mike Kenny and was knighted in the 2017 New Year’s Honours list.

He declined to comment when contacted but it is believed the situation is not related to animal welfare.

A British Equestrian statement said: “British Equestrian and British Dressage are aware of concerns and allegations that have arisen around an individual within the dressage community.

“In accordance with our own procedures, the matter is under active investigation and the individual is suspended from both organisations while that investigation takes place.

“No further comment will be made at this time.”

A ParalympicsGB spokesperson said: “Lee has publicly stated he did not seek to qualify for Paris 2024 for personal reasons.

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“That is a matter for him and British Equestrian and in no way detracts from his past achievements or the possibility that he may seek to qualify for future Paralympic Games.”

ParalympicsGB last month named an all-female dressage team of Natasha Baker, Mari Durward-Akhurst, Sophie Wells and Georgia Wilson for this year’s Games.

The competition is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at Chateau de Versailles.

All of the events taking place at the Paris 2024 Paralympics

Each sport is broken down into subcategories giving athletes the chance to compete on equal terms with those who have a similar impairment.

Here are the events:

• Para archery
• Para athletics
• Para badminton
• Blind football
• Boccia
• Para canoe
• Para cycling
• Para equestrian
• Goalball
• Para judo
• Para powerlifting
• Para rowing
• Shooting Para sport
• Sitting volleyball
• Para swimming
• Para table tennis
• Para taekwondo
• Para triathlon
• Wheelchair basketball
• Wheelchair fencing
• Wheelchair rugby
• Wheelchair tennis