PARALYMPIC dressage rider Sophie Christiansen became Britain's first triple gold medallist at the Paralymipc Games after winning the freestyle dressage grade 1a test on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old, who is from Sunningdale but now lives in Maidenhead, posted a huge 84.750% to take victory by more than five per cent ahead of Laurentia Tan of Singapore and Ireland's Helen Kearney.
Defending champion Christiansen, riding Janeiro 6, had already won gold in the team and individual events to make her GB's star equestrian performer. "I was always going to enjoy that, and that was key," she said. "Sometimes I get a bit carried away because I do love it so much, so I kind of played it a little safer today to stay relaxed and keep the horse's rhythm going, and it paid off.
"I did everything I could going into the Games. I've had a great time. I knew I could potentially win three gold medals, but I wanted to keep that quiet and then let the results speak for themselves." Her patriotic musical freestyle routine included excerpts from Land of Hope and Glory and also featured Big Ben's chimes plus a quotation from Shakespeare's Richard II.
It was her third ride in six days, and on each occasion she scored more than 80 per cent.
To cap off a superb Games for the former Charters School pupil, she also contributed to GB's most successful haul of Paralympic equestrian medals - 11 in total - to continue Britain's record of winning every Paralympic, world and European team title since the sport became part of the Paralympic Games in 1996.
Her golden treble began on Friday when she posted an unassailable 82.750% in the individual grade 1a event before triumphing in the team event on Sunday with a similar score.
She won a bronze medal as a 16-year-old in Athens eight years ago, then captured two golds and a silver in Beijing. She is also a reigning world and European champion.
In addition to her brilliant riding skills, Christiansen has a masters degree in mathematics from Royal Holloway University and currently works part-time as a statistician.
She received an MBE in the 2009 New Year's Honours List for services to disabled sport.
** SEE Friday's Observer for all the latest London 2012 Paralympic Games preview ** ** FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter @Observer_sports **
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