Sponsored Riders
Sophie Wells
INTERVIEW
With eight Gold medals already under her belt, 21-year-old para-dressage star Sophie Wells is certainly one of the gold medal hopes for London 2012. Sophie’s success is all the more remarkable when you consider that she does not come from an equestrian background, but there is one key person that Sophie attributes her success to: “It’s a team effort and I was given a great start by my parents, but my trainer Angela Weiss has taken me to the next level. Angela has known me since I was 14 and she knows me inside out – which is key to my preparation for a competition and training. I trust her completely.”
Sophie has been riding since the age of seven and her dressage career began at age 11, progressing into para-dressage at age 13. It was on Touchdown that Sophie achieved recognition as a real medal contender and the combination were selected as first reserves for the 2008 Paralympics. Sadly, whilst in quarantine for Hong Kong, Touchdown was diagnosed with a tumour in his foot, which spelt the end of his competitive career.
Sophie has dedicated herself to achieving her goals
Sophie is now best known for her partnerships with Pinocchio (Noki) and Valerius (Reece) and it was on Noki that Sophie won her first three European Golds in 2009 and then two World Golds in 2010. With 2012 in mind, Sophie decided to ‘save’ Noki this year and was instead selected for the 2011 Europeans on Reece – with whom she then won a further three European Golds. Sophie has spent the last 5 years putting a great deal of dedication and focus into her horses: “I ride my three horses six days a week and during the summer, I spend a lot of time at Angela’s. I help out with mucking out, grooming, exercising and other stable duties, whilst making sure that my own horses are well looked after. I also attend 5-6 Performance Squad training sessions a year and I make sure that I am competing at all of the relevant selection trials too.”
Sophie has certainly proved herself to the selectors having not only been selected for the para-dressage squads, but also for the last two able bodied Young Rider European Championships. Sophie has the accolade of being the first para-dressage rider to have competed in a para and able bodied Championship team.
Sophie is incredibly grateful for all of the support that she gets from UK Sport and also from Rachel Sainsbury from Dodson & Horrell, who makes sure that her horses have all of their dietary needs looked after.
Sophie uses the following products:
For Pinocchio (Noki)
Staypower Muesli
Alfalfa
For Valerius (Reece)
Staypower Cubes
Alfalfa
Vital Stats
Birthday:
5th May 1990
Based:
Nottinghamshire
Number of horses on yard:
4
Favourite food:
Chocolate
Favourite TV show:
Friends
Sophie's Top Tips
- Always enjoy your horses and riding.
- If there is a problem whilst you are riding, check yourself first before blaming the horse.
- Horses are not always straightforward, but as long as you learn from your mistakes and the things that have gone wrong, it will make you stronger.
