SOPHIE Christiansen is a gold medal winning Paralympian who won three equestrian events at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Now the Great British athlete is hoping to pick up another first place as she’s a contender for Sports Personality of the Year 2016.
Who is Sophie Christiansen?
Sophie Christiansen, 29, is highly decorated Paralympian who has competed in four consecutive Paralympic finals and won medals in each.
After she was born two months prematurely with cerebral palsy she also suffered from other health problems, including jaundice, blood poisoning, a heart attack and a collapsed lung.
Sophie started horse riding when she was six as a form of physiotherapy at her local Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) group.
As well as riding, Sophie also has a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Any other career highlights?
In 2004, Sophie became the youngest athlete for Great Britain at the 2004 Summer Paralympics taking part in both the freestyle and championship dressage.
In the freestyle event, Sophie finished fourth, narrowly missing out on the medals but in the championship dressage, she finished third, winning herself her first bronze medal.
Sophie also competed in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games where she picked up an individual gold in the freestyle and silver in the championship dressage.
After her Paralympic success, Sophie was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to disabled sport.
And her London 2012 Paralympics saw Sophie better her success and win three gold medals, leading her to become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism.
What are the odds on her winning Sports Personality of the Year 2016?
The odds on Sophie to win are 200/1, so she is an outsider but the achievement of people nominated is sure to bring her a lot of pride.
“I am so shocked and honoured to be nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, especially in such an important year for sport where hundreds of athletes are worthy of this award,” she said.
“That said, I know that many of the British public won’t know who I am because I compete in a minority sport.
“This is why I need your help not to come last! I want to be voted for by the people because I stand for more than just an athlete.”
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