Telford equestrian star Ricky Balshaw is to represent Great Britain in the Paralympic Games. The 21-year-old is one of seven Para-equestrian dressage riders flying to Hong Kong later this summer.
He has previously represented Britain at world and European level on numerous occasions, making his debut in 2002, but this will be his first appearance for the Paralympic team.
Balshaw will ride his own British bred bay horse Deacons Giorgio.
“I was totally speechless when (manager) David Hunter broke the news,” he said. “Eight years of hard work has paid off for me and to be going there with Giorgio is extra special.
“He has got me where I am, we’re team mates and have both put the time and effort in together so it’s fantastic.”
Britain’s Para-equestrian dressage riders have consistently performed well at Paralympic level, topping the medal table in Athens in 2004 and in Sydney in 2000 and manager David Hunter is confident that his team can shine again.
“It’s been an extremely competitive period, all the selectors have been surprised and impressed by the standard,” he said.
“It certainly hasn’t been an easy job.
“I am confident we have a strong team with an excellent support crew behind them that will be as well prepared as possible in three months time.”
The seven successful riders represent a cross-section of experience and youth.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games run from September 6 until September 17 with the equestrian events taking place at the Sha Tin Racecourse from September 7-11.
At the Athens 2004 Paralympics, Games Britain finished second in the medal table with a total of 35 golds, 30 silver and 29 bronze medals.
