The Gloucester-based athlete said: "This has been a very difficult decision and I have thought very carefully for a number of months before making this announcement.

"For personal reasons competing at international level is becoming more and more difficult.

"I have also been looking very hard for a successor to my current ride, Ocean Diamond (Derek), for the last 12 months and have tried some lovely horses but have not found one that I believe I can win a medal with in London 2012.

"It has become increasingly difficult for me to carry on competing in the current global climate and I have therefore made the very difficult decision to hang up my international boots.

"I intend to remain involved in the sport and help promote Paraequestrian dressage.

"I am very grateful for all the support I have received from my friends, family, coach and the World Class Programme.

"I wish the squad good luck for 2012 and expect them to win a bucket full of medals."

Laurens, who has multiple sclerosis, started his Paraequestrian dressage career in 2005 and was a member of the winning British team at the 2006 Hartpury International, where he also won the individual and team tests.

He then won team and freestyle golds at the 2007 World Paraequestrian Dressage Championships but the perhaps the highlight of his career came competing in his first and only Paralympic Games in Beijing in 2008 where he won gold as part of the team and silver in the freestyle test.

Most recently, he represented Britain at the 2009 European Championships in Norway where he helped the team to gold and picked up two individual bronze medals, but he has decided he will no longer continue at the highest level.

Will Connell, the British Equestrian Federation's (BEF) performance director, said: "This announcement by Simon is a very sad day for the sport.

"Not only has he proven himself an outstanding athlete, winning medals for Team GBR at Paralympic Games, European and world level, Simon is also a fantastic team member.

"He gives freely of his time to help promote his sport and encourages others to try riding.

"He always has a smile on his face and a ready quip that helps maintain a very positive and enjoyable team atmosphere.

"We will miss him in the team and the World Class Programme Squad but I hope that we will see a great deal of him."


David Hunter, BEF's performance manager for Paraequestrian dressage, added: "Sad though it is, I fully support and respect Simon's decision to retire from international para dressage and step down from the World Class Programme.

"I know it has been a difficult decision for Simon to make as he has shared and discussed his thoughts with me throughout the process.

"He will be missed by all of his fellow GB riders and world class staff and by the huge number of friends and acquaintances he has made on the international stage.

"We all wish him and his partner John well for the future."

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