WILTSHIRE’S Anne Dunham MBE is excited to represent Great Britain in Para Equestrian dressage at the FEI European Championships in Deauville, France; September 17-20; writes Elle Webster.

The 66-year-old will ride the Lady Joseph Trust owned Lucas Normack at the championships, the pair’s second since they started competing together in 2013.

“I’m stroked; really happy” said Anne, “I’m really pleased with Lucas. He had an op on his left front leg last year and only started competing again in March, so I’m very pleased.”

Anne, who was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis aged 27, is one of most experienced members of the team. She competed at the first Para-Equestrian dressage events at the World Championships in 1994, the Olympics in 1996 and the European Championships a few years later and has won four consecutive Paralympic gold’s at the 1996, 2000, 2004 and the 2008 games.

According to Anne: “the event has changed out of all recognition. Back then the host countries had to provide all the horses for competitors and they were assigned by lottery, with names pulled out of hats.

“It was the test of the rider’s skill to get the most out of an unknown horse, now it is as much about a horse’s training as it is the skill of the rider.”

The British team are the undefeated World, Olympic and European champions, which “adds pressure because they are always trying to knock us off and change what has been the norm. They want to show they have stepped up to the plate”.

The European Championships are the last major championships before the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.

“It adds pressure in all sorts of ways” says Anne: “Although GB has qualified, the individual qualification isn’t finished yet and if you don’t do well at the Europeans you have a lot to prove next year.”

Throughout her career Anne has trained at the Talland School of Equitation at Ampney Knowle and says: “I have an immense gratitude to them, my career would not be what it is without Pammy Hutton, and she has been very influential.

“She introduced me to owners so I could find rides and she continues to support me and other disabled riders. It’s been wonderful to me.

“I am hugely grateful to Pammy and to my daughter and sister. Without their support I wouldn’t be able to compete.”