Eight-time Paralympic champion Christiansen retires

Eight-time Paralympic gold medallist Sophie Christiansen has announced her Para-dressage retirement.

Christiansen, who was born two months early with cerebral palsy, started riding aged six.

She made her Paralympic debut in 2004 in Athens aged 16 and despite being the youngest member of the GB team in Greece came away with an individual bronze medal.

She won freestyle and team golds and individual silver at Beijing 2008 before claiming three golds at both London 2012 and Rio 2016.

Christiansen was also selected for the delayed Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 but had to withdraw because of a veterinary issue with her horse.

“After a 20-year competitive career, I have decided to retire from Para-dressage,” said the 36-year-old.

“I was once told, ‘when you know, you know’. I used to wonder what this meant, but now I realise that I am more excited about the possibilities of what I could do outside of the sport than doing another four-year cycle of highs and lows as an athlete.”

Christiansen also has competed at European and World Championships and away from the sport has a masters degree in mathematics, which she uses as part of her role as a software developer for Goldman Sachs investment bank.

“Para-dressage has given me so much and sport has empowered me to redefine what I thought was possible and to keep breaking barriers in all areas of my life,” she added.

“I want to work alongside the RDA (Riding for the Disabled), British Dressage and British Equestrian to continue introducing people to the world of Para-dressage so when another ‘me’ comes along, they can also achieve their dreams.”