Laurentia Tan and her “cheeky” horses
While scientific advances and human advice have helped Tan perform at her best during dressage competitions, horses are her closest and kindest allies on this journey.
“The horse has its own rhythm“So I have to trust him too,” Tan explains of how the horses help him during dressage tests. “He trusts me to guide him and I trust him, so that’s the relationship we have working with each other.”
Tan calls horses his dance partners, each with a character that fits a specific dance style. This includes his horse at Paris 2024, Hickstead12 years old, nicknamed Coco in the stables.
“It depends on her personality, but I think Coco could dance jive“I think that would fit her personality,” Tan jokes.
“He’s quite cheeky, but I love it,” she continues. “He’s always looking for food, so if he thinks you have some food, he’ll be there looking in your pocket trying to find out if there’s food hidden somewhere.”
The two have been working together for about two years and finished fifth in the individual Grade I event at Paris 2024, the Fifth participation in the Paralympic Games for the Singaporean rider.
Tan’s best Paralympic result was a Silver in the individual freestyle class Ia at London 2012. She also won bronze in the Grade Ia individual championship event at the 2012 Games, adding to her previous bronze in the same event at Beijing 2008.
That medal was the Singapore’s first ever Paralympic medal and the first medal in a Para equestrian event at the Paralympic Games for an Asian athlete.
Tan would go on to claim a second bronze at Beijing 2008, in the Grade Ia individual freestyle event two days later.
Competing on the Paralympic stage is always a great joy for this rider, who qualified for three events at Paris 2024.
“This is the pinnacle of competition,” Tan said. “You have the best riders in one place. You have a beautiful venue in Paris. We won’t have the chance to compete here again, so I feel very privileged. I’m delighted to be here. It’s a great honour.”
