Equestrian body lifts Sir Lee Pearson’s suspension

Following an internal investigation into Sir Lee Pearson’s conduct, British Equestrian and British Dressage have lifted his suspension as a 14-time Paralympic gold medalist.

After his membership was reinstated, Pearson is now free to compete abroad and not compete in the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

Sir Lee will return to the British Equestrian World Class Program with “urgent effect” and will be able to compete and coach both domestically and abroad, according to a statement from British Equestrian.

With 14 gold medals, the 51-year-old cyclist is Britain’s third-most successful paralympic athlete, only to be surpassed by swimmer Mike Kenny and cyclist Dame Sarah Storey.

The Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028, which ParalympicsGB claimed it was open to, was a statement released last year. Pearson, a British flagbearer at Rio 2016, had already stated his intention to compete there.

Lee has publicly stated that because of personal reasons, he did not intend to apply for Paris 2024.

He and the British Equine team are in charge of this, and it does not diminish his previous accomplishments or the possibility that he might compete in the Paralympics in the future.

Prior to the Paris Paralympics in May of last year, a four-strong British Para-equestrian team was chosen for the event. Pearson’s suspension was in place. He was not qualified for selection because he had not competed since March 2023.