Paris 2024: Historic venue for Para equestrian at Versailles

The Chateau de Versailles will provide an iconic backdrop for the world’s best in Para equestrian at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Versailles, a UNESCO world heritage site, was the home of King Louis XIV in 1682 and boasts recognisable building and gardens. The palace grounds will play host to 76 Para athletes and their horses from 49 nations. 

There are 11 events taking place with 33 medals on the table: individual championship (grades I-V), team championship (open), individual freestyle championship (grades I-V). 

Great Britain remains the most successful country in the only artistic sport at the Paralympic Games, with 34 gold, 20 silver and 10 bronze medals.  

Five stories to follow…   

Chiara Zenati – big hope for France at Paris 2024 riding Swing Royal   

Chiara Zenati made her debut at Tokyo 2020 with three top-ten finishes. At the 2023 European Championships, Zenati gave France two silver medals in the individual and freestyle grade III and will be hoping for a Paralympic medal on home soil.

“For Swing [Royal] and I, Paris 2024 will be more than just a competition. It will be a homecoming.  The Paralympic Village is being constructed in the part of Paris where I’ve lived and grown up.” 

France has contested every Paralympic equestrian competition since the sport made its debut at Atlanta 1996, with Frederic Aguillaume gaining their only individual medal with silver in the grade III event in Atlanta. France has also secured bronze in the team event.

The magic of music with Para equestrian rider Sanne Voets 

Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Sanne Voets and three-time Paralympic champion from Netherlands loves to choose unconventional tunes. 

Before the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games she worked with Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren to perform to his song 'This is what it feels like'. 

For Tokyo she worked with Dutch freestyle producer Joost Peters and a popular Netherlands band called HAEVN. They performed to 'Where the heart is'. 

“I first heard them when I was in my car and the lyrics touched me deeply,” Voets said.

“Where the heart is, is a song about chasing a dream, paving your own path and taking a leap of faith.” 

She has a new routine for Paris 2024. Will it hit the high notes again? 

South African phenomenon Philippa Johnson-Dwyer takes on 6th Games

Philippa Johnson-Dwyer will become a six-time Paralympian in Paris having debuted at Athens 2004, becoming the nation's first rider to win a Paralympic medal of any colour. At Beijing she then became their first Para equestrian gold medallist, securing two top podium places.

Leading up to Tokyo 2020, Philippa Johnson-Dwyer battled cancer and underwent open heart surgery.

“I was diagnosed with endocarditis and in the tests, they also found out I had cancer. After the (heart) surgery, it was then five weeks of radiation and chemo but that took me out of riding for seven months," she said.

Snikus aims to break Paralympic gold medal barrier 

Latvia’s Rihards Snikus, grade I world and European champion, is ranked number one in the world. 

At Tokyo 2020 he finished with two silver medals but will be looking to upgrade at Paris 2024 and add a Paralympic gold to his world championship victory. 

Riding King of the Dance at the world championships in Herning, Denmark in 2022, he became the first Latvian to win a gold medal at a major equestrian competition. 

“I have no words – just wow,” said Rihards after learning he had become world champion. “The horse was great; the free walk was not absolutely great today but still very good.” 

Can he break the Paralympic gold medal barrier next?

British star has new perspective 

Great Britain's Natasha Baker, a six-time Paralympic gold medallist, gave birth to a son Joshua in 2023 and credits him with giving her a new perspective.

“Motherhood has definitely changed the way I look at my competitive career,” said Baker.

“Riding was my entire life since I was 10. I only had one vision. But, my goodness, Joshua coming along has completely changed my life upside down. He is the most important thing in my world."

“Being a mum is a superpower. I’m excited to go into that arena knowing that my little man will be waiting for me when I get back. Seeing his face will be the best thing ever,” Baker said. 

Baker's first events on her return from maternity leave were at the I.C.E. Horseboxes All England Dressage Festival in May, and she bagged two gold medals atop bay mare Dawn Chorus, nicknamed Lottie. She remains a favourite and one to watch.

Para equestrian begins on 3 September, running through to the 7th.