Laurentia Tan and her horse Hickstead making their way out for the Grade I individual freestyle event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Credit: SportSG/Jeremy Lee
Wet weather at the Chateau de Versailles did not dampen Laurentia Tan’s spirits ahead of her last event at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, as she rode out to the arena wearing a wide smile before the Grade I individual freestyle event. Watched by poncho-clad spectators under open umbrellas, Tan and her horse Hickstead (nicknamed Coco) gave a splendid performance to finish eighth with a score of 73.174 on 7 September.
“I enjoyed riding the freestyle. I was disappointed with the scores but Coco did really well,” said Tan. “The weather does affect the horses, some more than others. Some don’t like the rain, some don’t mind but I have to say that even I don’t like the rain! I think Coco was better with it than I was today!”
Latvia’s Rihards Snikus, the silver medallist in this event at the Tokyo 2020 Games, clinched the gold with his score of 82.487. Italian Sara Morganti, the last rider on the start list, scored 81.407 to take silver ahead of Great Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst (77.747).
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“I enjoyed riding the freestyle. I was disappointed with the scores but Coco did really well,” said Tan. “The weather does affect the horses, some more than others. Some don’t like the rain, some don’t mind but I have to say that even I don’t like the rain! I think Coco was better with it than I was today!”
Latvia’s Rihards Snikus, the silver medallist in this event at the Tokyo 2020 Games, clinched the gold with his score of 82.487. Italian Sara Morganti, the last rider on the start list, scored 81.407 to take silver ahead of Great Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst (77.747).
Read More…