Double treble for Christiansen after three gold medals in Rio

Sophie Christiansen completed the double treble when she replicated her achievements from the London 2012 Paralympics by winning three gold medals in Rio.

The Maidenhead resident, who was born in Ascot and educated at Charters School in Sunningdale, triumphed in the dressage ring on her horse Athene Lindebjerg, winning two individual and one team gold for Paralympics GB.

Christiansen, 28, who has cerebral palsy, has competed in four games and won eight golds overall, but was keen to pay tribute to her fellow GB riders.

“I am so proud of all my teammates. They’ve done so well and I’m just thrilled,” she said.

“This year has been so up and down so to even get here was a feat in itself.

“Athene is just a young horse. I didn’t know how he would react, but he felt so relaxed with me.

“It is tough, I’m not going to lie, but you need that drive and determination that I think the Paralympics shows."

Christiansen said GB colleague Anne Dunham, 67, was her inspiration.

“I remember when I was 13 and started out in the sport,” she said.

“She was always this top rider that I thought I would never beat. It’s thanks to Ann that I’m as good as I am now.

“Having that rivalry is really, really healthy.”

Away from riding, Christiansen has a first-class degree in mathematics and works part-time for investment bank Goldman Sachs.