Natasha Baker wins equestrian gold for Great Britain

 
Great Britain's Natasha Baker celebrates after riding Cabral in the Dressage Individual Championship Test - Grade II at Greenwich Park, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday September 1, 2012. See PA story PARALYMPICS Equestrian. Photo credit should read: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
1 September 2012

Natasha Baker's 12-year dream came true amid cheers and tears at Greenwich Park today as she won a first British equestrian gold medal of the London Paralympic Games.

Baker, from Uxbridge in Middlesex, scored a Paralympic Grade II record 76.857% on Cabral to claim the individual dressage title, but only after a powerful twin German challenge fell just short.

Defending Paralympic champion Britta Napel scored 76.048% for second on Aquilina 3, with Angelika Trabert and Ariva-Avanti (76.000%) third.

But it was an emotional Baker's day as she fulfilled the vow made to her parents Lorraine and Phil in 2000.

"From the age of 10 when I watched the Sydney Paralympics on television I said I would come to a Paralympic Games and win a gold medal," recalled the 22-year-old.

"But to come to my first Games and win gold, I never expected that in a million years."

Baker's mother remembers the day well, adding: "When she told me, I didn't doubt her. Growing up, she has always been a very positive, determined young lady.

"So when she did announce to us at that young age that it was what she wanted to do, I thought 'yes, I do believe you can, and you probably will'.

"As a young child, she was a very good swimmer, she played the violin and the piano, but she kept coming back to the riding."

Despite an early draw in the 23-rider competition, Baker delivered a calm and controlled performance, sparking what is expected to be a Games gold rush for the dressage quintet of Baker, Lee Pearson, Sophie Wells, Deb Criddle and Sophie Christiansen.

But she had an anxious wait of almost two hours before the 18 remaining riders completed their dressage tests and she could finally relax.

"This is just the most incredible feeling in the world - and I get a post box and stamps now!" said Baker, who suffers from transverse myelitis, which is an inflammation of the spine that affects nerve endings.

"I had an early draw (fifth), and I stayed out the back of the arena for a long time and was texting my boyfriend Sam, who was among the crowd watching, to see what was happening.

"It was close, and I have literally got no nails left."

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