If you Google “Lee Pearson, equestrian,” you get more than 650,000 results. While that may not be the most scientific measure of the man, it’s surely testament to the impact he has had on para-equestrian since he first competed at Paralympic Games in Sydney in 2000.
Pearson is perfect example of Paralympic and international success. He’s completed the triple-triple of Paralympic golds (individual, team and freestyle, grade 1b at Syndey 2000), while London 2012 brought him a further team gold, individual silver and freestyle bronze.
He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to Equestrianism and to Disabled Sport.
Pearson, 39, was born with a condition called arthrogryposis which meant his muscles didn’t grow correctly while in the womb and caused his joints to be limited in movement at birth. He’s had to have 15 operations since then and, to this day, walks with his legs completely splinted from his hips to his heels.
Based in Staffordshire, Pearson discovered dressage after watching the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics on television. He started riding and, in 2003, became the only para-rider to have won a title at the British Dressage National Championships, competing against able-bodied riders in the elementary restricted finals.
It’s probably fair to say that 2012 didn’t go to plan for Pearson or meet his or his fans’ and followers’ expectations. He fought back to fitness from injury but didn’t repeat his triple gold success of previous Games (which would have made him Britain’s most successful Paralympian).
However, even with 12 world and nine European titles to his name he’s not finished yet.
In 2013, he is expected perform at the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark and at other four star competitions around the world.
The man who, as a boy, was famously carried up the stairs of No. 10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher is back in the saddle and, most definitely, one to watch.
