UXBRIDGE star Natasha Baker is looking to scale new heights at the FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage European Championships.
The reigning double European champion starts the defence of her titles in Herning, Denmark, this afternoon (Wednesday) at the four-day event.
Baker, who bagged two gold medals at the London 2012 games, is one of a five-strong British squad heading to Denmark for the competition.
As well as competing for individual honours, the Paralympic heroine is hoping she’s not left out of the team event this year.
Should she make the cut, Baker is in line to win three golds and better her performance in Belgium in 2011, which started her rise to superstardom.
Baker told the Gazette: “I am still the European champion from 2011 so there’s a little bit of pressure to try and maintain that but fingers crossed.
“It will depend if I am selected for the team as to how many medals I can go for. Five riders will go and four will be selected for the team. If I get selected for the team I’ve got the potential to get three golds and that’s what I’m aiming for.
“You never know what can happen with horses though. I would have thought a lot of the European riders will be out on new horses but obviously I’m not going to be on a new horse - I’ll still be on JP - so I think it will be a bit of a different competition.
“People will be looking to experiment before the World Championships in France next summer. That will make it interesting.”
Baker booked her spot at this week’s European Championships with victory at the Hartpury Festival in Gloucestershire last month.
She triumphed in the FEI Para Freestyle Test Grade II event and the FEI CPEDI3* team competition, leaving her well placed to push for glory in Denmark.
Baker added: “There was an international event at the beginning of the year but I didn’t have to go to that because of my results in London. Then there was nationals in Hickstead which I won and then I won on all three days at Hartpury.
“The selectors look for consistency. JP is very well known for his consistency so that’s really positive for me and we got pretty much the same results as last year so that was good. I know there is more to come as well though.”
