Great Britain rider Lee Pearson kept his remarkable winning streak going on the last day of the Paralympic equestrian competition yesterday, winning the grade 1b individual freestyle gold.

And the Brits, overall, hauled in two golds and two silvers yesterday.

Pearson, 34, born with arthrogryposis (a rare disorder affecting the muscles and joints) was a perfect three for three in gold-medal wins this week.

He was so excited that he started shaking while speaking with reporters.

"I just want to cry; I'm over the moon," he said, adding with a laugh: "There could be a letter coming from the Prime Minister or the Queen."

Prior to the test, the rider spent most of his time resting and relaxing.

"I slept for 48 hours and did a little bit of shopping," he said.

Pearson's teammate, Ricky Balshaw, atop Deacons Giorgi, got the silver medal.

"I couldn't have done any more, and my horse couldn't have done any more, either," the 21-year-old rider said. "I had nothing to lose, and it was the last day. I went for it. ... I hate losing."

In the grade 1a test, Great Britain's Sophie Christiansen, who got a silver medal in Tuesday's championship test, replaced her teammate Anne Dunham, atop Teddy, to get the gold medal. Dunham got the silver.

Christiansen, atop Lambrusco III, burst into tears.

"It is amazing. I have worked hard for it," the 20-year-old rider said.

Christiansen was thankful to Dunham.

"If it wasn't for Anne, I would not have gotten it. She set a high standard, and I was determined to do well. This is my best score ever in the individual freestyle," she said.

In the grade 3 individual freestyle test, German Hannelore Brenner, atop Women of the World, got the gold medal. Great Britain's Simon Laurens, atop Ocean Diamond, got the silver, and Denmark's Lykke Dalskov A, atop Alfarvad April Z, got the bronze.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang presented the team gold medal and Chief Secretary for Administration Henry Tang awarded the gold for the grade 1b individual freestyle event.

Great Britain got five gold medals over the five-day event, followed by Germany with three golds, South Africa with two golds and Canada with one gold.

Summing up the five-day Paralympic equestrian events, Equestrian Company Chief Executive Officer Lam Woon-kwong said they were successful.

He said more than 30,000 spectators attended the nine shows.

"The atmosphere Wednesday and yesterday was good," he said. "Most spectators waited for the victory ceremony."

He believed the Paralympic equestrian events would be encouraging and inspirational to the community.

With the events over, he said, the equestrian venue will be returned to the Hong Kong Sports Institute soon.

(HK Edition 09/12/2008 page1)