OFFICIAL RIDER PROFILE – Sophie Christiansen MBE SOPHIE CHRISTIANSEN OBE D.O.B: 14 November 1987 Resides: Sunningdale, Berkshire Grade: Ia Current top rides: Janeiro 6: 16hh light bay gelding by Jacquare, foaled 1997. (Owner: Sophie Christiansen) Major Achievements at a Glance: • Our most outstanding para equestrian at London 2012 with three gold medals • Winner of individual gold and silver plus team gold at Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008. • Winner of individual bronze medal at the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004 aged 16. • Winner of three gold medals at 2005 European Para Dressage Championships • Individual gold and bronze medallist at the 2007 World Para Dressage Championships. • Awarded and MBE in 2009 for services to disabled sport and then promoted to OBE in 2012. • Individual gold and silver medallist and team gold medallist at 2009 European Para Dressage Championships. • Individual gold and silver medallist and team silver medallist at 2011 European Para Dressage Championships. About Sophie: Sophie was born two months prematurely with cerebral palsy. She took up riding as a form of physiotherapy aged six through her local Riding for the Disabled group. At 13, she applied to join South Bucks RDA. It was here that she was introduced to Para dressage as a sport, not just as therapy, through the guidance of Clive Milkins. She began to compete in Para dressage and soon went to her first international competitions. Selection for the Athens Paralympic Games followed in 2004 at the age of 16 and Sophie took home a bronze medal. She won three European champion medals on Martini Maybe the following year