Sophie Christiansen
 Christiansen at the 2016 Summer Paralympics | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Sophie Margaret Christiansen |
| Born | 14 November 1987 Berkshire, England |
Medal record | |
Sophie Christiansen (born 14 November 1987) is an English former equestrian. In 2012 and 2016, she won three gold medals at the Paralympics. After Christiansen retired from equestrianism, she became a software developer.[1]
Early life
[change | change source]Christiansen was born with cerebral palsy. She also had jaundice, blood poisoning and a collapsed lung.[2] She started riding horses when she was six years old.
Career
[change | change source]She started competing in the Paralympics when she was 16 years old. She was the youngest athlete to represent Great Britain in the 2004 Summer Paralympics.[3][4]
Christiansen had to drop out of the 2020 Summer Paralympics because her horse had to see the veterinarian.[5] Georgia Wilson took her place in the 2020 Paralympics.[5]
In November 2024, Christiansen said she was retiring from para-dressage.[1]
Personal life
[change | change source]Christiansen works as a software developer at an investment bank.[6]
References
[change | change source]- 1 2 "Eight-time Paralympic equestrian champion Sophie Christiansen announces retirement". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
- ↑ "Sophie Christiansen, Paralympic dressage | Sport | The Observer". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
- ↑ "Paralympic challengers: Sophie Christiansen". 2008-09-02. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
- ↑ "Sophie Christiansen - Equestrian | Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
- 1 2 "Sophie Christiansen out of Paralympics due to 'veterinary issue' with horse". The Independent. 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
- ↑ McLean, Ross (2016-03-28). "Sophie Christiansen interview: Five-time Paralympic champion on why City banking job is vital to her success". City AM. Retrieved 2025-08-10.
Other websites
[change | change source]
- Official website
- Sophie Christiansen at FEI
- Sophie Christiansen at FEI (alternative link)
- Sophie Christiansen at Paralympic.org
- Sophie Christiansen at the British Paralympic Association
- 1987 births
- Living people
- British dressage riders
- Paralympic equestrians for Great Britain
- Paralympic gold medalists for Great Britain
- Paralympic silver medalists for Great Britain
- Paralympic bronze medalists for Great Britain
- 2004 Summer Paralympics
- 2008 Summer Paralympics
- Competitors at the 2012 Summer Paralympics
- Competitors at the 2016 Summer Paralympics
- Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
- Sportspeople from Berkshire