At 34 years old, Sophie Wells, one of Great Britain’s greatest Paralympic equestrian athletes, has made it clear that her relationship with medals has changed. Although her trophy cabinet shines with 39 championship medals, including four Paralympic golds, Wells claims that her obsession with gold no longer consumes her like it once did. According to her, the euphoria only lasts for a few moments, and then, normal life hits you again.

In the recent Paralympic competition, Wells added a bronze medal to her already impressive collection. After dominating the arenas in London, Rio, and Tokyo, the rider is now ready to compete in the team event and the freestyle competition in the coming days in Paris. Although the glow of the medals still dazzles, the athlete acknowledges that she has learned to appreciate every moment, regardless of the colour of the podium.

Wells’ story is a testament to overcoming obstacles. She was born with amniotic band syndrome, which caused her to lose sensation in her feet and several fingers. However, she never allowed her condition to define her limits. “As time has passed, I’ve learned to be grateful for each achievement,” says Sophie, who recalls her debut at the 2012 London Games with a mix of nostalgia and self-criticism. “I was very naive, highly competitive, and obsessed with winning gold,” she confesses. “Winning didn’t make me feel grateful or happy. When you win gold, the joy is fleeting. You go home, and suddenly, you’re back to your routine.”

For the Lincoln champion, identifying success solely with gold can be a double-edged sword. “It’s dangerous to base your identity on being a gold medalist because very few people will achieve that,” she explains. Her personal growth has been just as remarkable as her sporting career, and today she approaches every competition with a more mature and balanced mindset.

Though Wells’ life has always been marked by challenges beyond the equestrian arenas. Despite growing up on a farm surrounded by horses, she is allergic to them. “My parents tried to get me into swimming or the gym, but I was never good at those,” she admits, laughing. “I’m still allergic, whether I’m grooming the horses or near the hay, but not enough to stop me.”

Her journey, which has seen her compete at the Grand Prix level against able-bodied riders, is far from over. Even the possibility of competing in the Olympics is not an impossible dream for her. “Becoming an Olympian would be incredible. It’s something you dream of, even if it seems far off,” she says with a smile.

Throughout her career, Wells has had a couple of lucky charms by her side in every challenge. One is a necklace with three hearts, one added in honor of her dog Tia, who accompanied her for much of her life. The other is a small toy giraffe named Daphne, a gift from her coach before her first European Championship in 2009. “Daphne has been with me in every one of my 39 medal performances,” she shares, proving that even sports legends have their superstitions.