Sir
Lee Pearson
CBE |
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 Pearson in 2008 |
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| Full name | David Lee Pearson |
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| Discipline | Para-dressage |
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| Born | (1974-02-04) 4 February 1974 (age 50)
Cheddleton, England |
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| Horse(s) |
- Gentleman
- Zion
- B. Grandeur
- Styletta
- Roughcote Jupiter
- Breezer
|
|---|
|
Sir David Lee Pearson CBE (born 4 February 1974) is a Paralimpic champion on horse riding. He won fourteen gold medals.[1] He is called the "Godfather" of para-dressage.[1][2]
Early life
Lee Pearson was born on 4 February 1974 in Cheddleton [en], England, with a medical condition called arthrogryposis multiplex congenita [en].[3] In 1980, when he was 6, Margaret Thatcher carried (lifted) him up the stairs in 10 Downing Street.[1][2] Thatcher also gave him the "Children of Courage" award.[2]
Career
He wanted to go to the Paralympic Games since he watched the 1996 Summer Paralympics.[2]
Pearson won three gold medals at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, three golds at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, and three more golds at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing.[1] He and his horse Gentleman won a gold, a silver and a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.[1] He and his horse Zion won a gold and a silver at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.[1] He and his horse Breezer won three gold medals at the 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo.[1] Pearson raised Breezer since he was a foal (baby horse).[2][3]
Personal life
Pearson is gay.[2][3][4] He was the first British Paralympic champion to come out, when he was 20.[2][4] He is also a LGBTQ+ rights activist.[4]
Related pages
References
Other websites
