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Sophie Christiansen

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Sophie Christiansen
Christiansen at the 2016 Summer Paralympics
Personal information
Birth nameSophie Margaret Christiansen
Born (1987-11-14) 14 November 1987 (age 38)
Berkshire, England

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

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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.

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

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Christiansen works as a software developer at an investment bank.[6]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Eight-time Paralympic equestrian champion Sophie Christiansen announces retirement". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  2. "Sophie Christiansen, Paralympic dressage | Sport | The Observer". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  3. "Paralympic challengers: Sophie Christiansen". 2008-09-02. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  4. "Sophie Christiansen - Equestrian | Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  5. 1 2 "Sophie Christiansen out of Paralympics due to 'veterinary issue' with horse". The Independent. 2021-08-19. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  6. 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

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