Paris 2024: Best Para equestrian moments
Belgium's Michele George won her sixth and seventh Paralympic medals with two golds at Paris 2024 Rihards Snikus won a first-ever Paralympic title for Latvia Château de Versailles provided a memorable and stunning background to the Para equestrian competition 11 Sep 2024
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were packed with memorable moments, including athletic feats and historic firsts, that took place at stunning venues in front of a vocal crowd.
We will share three moments from each sport that made the Games very special.
Top moment
Belgium's Michele George bagged her second gold medal of the Paris 2024 Paralympics in the Para equestrian individual freestyle event grade V.
It was her seventh overall at the Paralympic Games. Earlier she won the individual event grade V.
George first won gold, twice, at London 2012, won again at Rio 2016, and then secured another double in Tokyo three years ago.
But the stellar performances are bittersweet because her beloved horse is unlikely to join her for the next Games.
"This is the last time that I'll ride Best of 8 in a Paralympic Games. She's 14 years old, so for LA (Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games) she will be too old,” George said.
"It was my last time with her at a Paralympics so it was emotional. She did so well. She gave me everything."
Biggest surprise
Rihards Snikus, 36, made history by winning Latvia’s first Paralympic gold medal.
He scooped up gold in the individual event grade I and then days later made it a double taking out the individual freestyle event grade I at Château de Versailles.
His horse is named King of the Dance, which is fitting because Snikus has a side hustle as DJ Richy Rich, so when he’s not at the stables, he’s at the turntables.
Snikus, who won silver at Tokyo 2020, said horses are his main priority and he’d rather be the world's best rider than the world’s best DJ.
Home hero
Château de Versailles wins the local hero award for providing a majestic backdrop to the Para equestrian competition.
“I have never been riding in such a beautiful arena as this before, with all the audience.
"I promised myself when I was finished to just look up and take it in and enjoy, and I did,” Danish silver medallist Katrine Kristensen said.
“The venue was just a dream. And I'm really proud and even honoured, I might say, for being part of it and that I could ride here," Belgian double gold medallist Michele George said.
“It's a once-in-a-lifetime (experience)," said German bronze medallist Anna-Lena Niehues.
