SEPTEMBER 11 - LEE PEARSON (pictured) won his ninth Paralympic title as Britain took two golds and three silvers on the final day of equestrian competition in Hong Kong.

 

Pearson won in impressive style with 77.06 per cent as the British team proved they are the masters of freestyle, taking their 2008 equestrian medal haul to 10 – the most ever at a Paralympic Games.

 

Pearson said: “I want to cry, but I can’t.

 

"I can’t believe we made it a one, two.

 

"I’m over the moon with my 100 per cent success rate.”

 

Pearson, who has won three golds at three consecutive Paralympics, was equally delighted for team-mate Ricky Balshaw who finished second to take his first medal.

 

Balshaw said: “I rode my arse off and I couldn’t have done any more.

 

“This is a great venue, the people are great, and I have enjoyed every minute of it."

 

Pearson said: “Ricky and I have worked so hard.

 

"I’m exhausted but I just want to enjoy my success, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.

 

Pearson’s feat is even more remarkable given that he only established a partnership with his horse Gentleman in January.

 

He paid tribute to everyone who had supported him, particularly the British team and his family.

 

The 34-year-old Staffordshire-based rider said: “I was more nervous for these three competitions than I have ever been for any competition in my life.

 

"I rode my heart out and I don’t think Gentleman will ever know how much he has changed my life.”

 

Grade III rider Simon Laurens, who performed his test in the morning session of his competition, joined the medal party by adding silver to the overall tally with a Latin-inspired performance to a Ricky Martin soundtrack.

 

Laurens, who is based in Gloucestershire, scored 73.5 per cent.

 

He said: “At last, I am over the moon.

 

"That’s much more like Ocean Diamond.

 

"I’m pleased for the horse and myself.

 

“I chose the soundtrack because I don’t like boring music.

 

"It’s lively for me and the horse likes it as well.

 

"He’s a little Latin mover.

 

"It’s been awesome, amazing.

 

"I’ve had ups and downs but to finish like that is great.”

 

Earlier in the evening Sophie Christiansen and Anne Dunham won gold and silver respectively in the grade 1a competition meaning Britain’s riders won five gold and five silver medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games, making it the team’s most successful Games ever.

 

Christiansen, who scored a massive 76.17 per cent, said: "I can’t believe it.

 

"I’ve wanted this for so long.

 

“Team gold is nice but an individual gold is what I came here for.

 

“I’ve had so many text messages wishing me luck and well done from back home.

 

"My friends have really been a part of this and everyone has been rooting for me.

 

"I’m going back to university when I get back.

 

"I’m in my third year and I really need to take that seriously.”

 

Currently studying a degree in maths at Royal Holloway University in London, Christiansen has been vying for the top spot with Dunham since she sprang onto the scene at the 2005 European Championships with double gold.

 

They share the overall grade 1a spoils equally this time with two golds and a silver each.

 

Christiansen said: “It’s been so close all year and it was very close today.

 

“I am pleased for Anne she really deserves it – if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t be at such a high standard.

 

"We really push each other.”

 

The 59-year-old Dunham said: “It was a job well done.

 

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and [horse] Teddy was a really good boy.

 

"He did everything spot on and the judges loved it.”

 

Four-time Paralympian Dunham had to switch horses shortly before leaving for Athens four years ago due to an injury and was disappointed to come home with just team gold.

 

She said: “This has been my best Paralympics not only for the venue but because I came here with a horse I knew, a true partner.”

 

It meant Britain finished the fifth day of competition having won 14 medals, including six gold, to consolidate their position of second overall in the medals table.

 

They have won a total of 57 medals, 27 gold, 16 silver and 14 bronze.

 

China stretched their lead at the top of the table as they took their total of medals to 96, 33 of them gold.

 

 

But Britain remain comfortably clear of the United States, who are third, having won 44 medals, 18 of them gold.