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'''David Lee Pearson''', CBE (born February 4, 1974) is a nine-times paralympic games gold medallist having represented British para-equestrianism in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. He also has six world-championship and three European titles. He was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and first came to public attention in 1980 when British Prime-Minister Margaret Thatcher carried him up the staircase in 10 Downing Street having awarded him a 'Children of Courage' medal. He currently lives in Cheddleton, Staffordshire. He won three gold medals in the championship dressage, freestyle dressage, and team dressage events at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Paralympics.
[[File:Lee Pearson, October 2008.jpg|thumb|Lee Pearson in 2008]]'''David Lee Pearson''', CBE (born 1974) is a nine-times paralympic games gold medallist having represented British para-equestrianism in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. He also has six world-championship and three European titles.  
He stated in an interview that his next ambition is to compete in the 2012 Olympics, should there be enough funding. He turned professional after he was inspired by the Atlanta Olympics.


Pearson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University in July 2005.
He was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita meaning he can’t move his ankles or knees, so he controls horses using his hips.<ref>http://www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk/rider.aspx?rider=Lee-Pearson</ref>


Already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Pearson was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.
He first came to public attention in 1980 when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher carried him up the staircase in 10 Downing Street having awarded him a "Children of Courage" medal. He won three gold medals in the championship dressage, freestyle dressage, and team dressage events at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Paralympics.
He turned professional after he was inspired by the Atlanta Olympics.


Pearson is openly gay, having come out to his parents shortly before his 21st birthday. In August 2010 he got married in a civil partnership to Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Employee Mark Latham.
Pearson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from [[Staffordshire University]] in July 2005.
 
He received a CBE in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism and disabled sport.
 
Lee Pearson currently lives in Cheddleton, [[Staffordshire]]. He is openly gay,<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/equestrianism/2393530/I-feel-lucky-that-I-have-found-my-talent-what-riding-has-given-me-is-respect.html  Robert Philip. "I feel lucky that I have found my talent, what riding has given me is respect". ''Daily Telegraph''. 30 December 2004.</ref> having come out to his parents shortly before his 21st birthday.<ref>http://www.rainbownetwork.com/UserPortal/Article/Detail.aspx?ID=22716&sid=146 Lee Pearson. ''Rainbownetwork.com''. 17 October 2008.</ref> In August 2010 he had a civil partnership with [[Lincolnshire]] Fire & Rescue Employee Mark Latham, but they have since separated.<ref>''[[Attitude]]'' interview, August 2012</ref>
 
Lee Pearson has been selected to compete in the London 2012 Paralympics.<ref>http://gaygames.org/wp/events/pride-house-2012/out-in-london-2012/</ref>
 
He was ranked number 31 in the [[World Pride Power List 2013]].
 
==References==
<references/>


[[Category:Equestrians]]
[[Category:Equestrians]]
[[Category:Paralympics]]
[[Category:Paralympics]]
[[Category:Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Pink List 2012|004]]
[[Category:World Pride Power List 2013|31]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1974 births]]

Latest revision as of 13:08, 10 July 2026

Lee Pearson in 2008

David Lee Pearson, CBE (born 1974) is a nine-times paralympic games gold medallist having represented British para-equestrianism in Sydney, Athens and Beijing. He also has six world-championship and three European titles.

He was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita meaning he can’t move his ankles or knees, so he controls horses using his hips.[1]

He first came to public attention in 1980 when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher carried him up the staircase in 10 Downing Street having awarded him a "Children of Courage" medal. He won three gold medals in the championship dressage, freestyle dressage, and team dressage events at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Paralympics. He turned professional after he was inspired by the Atlanta Olympics.

Pearson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Staffordshire University in July 2005.

He received a CBE in the 2009 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism and disabled sport.

Lee Pearson currently lives in Cheddleton, Staffordshire. He is openly gay,[2] having come out to his parents shortly before his 21st birthday.[3] In August 2010 he had a civil partnership with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Employee Mark Latham, but they have since separated.[4]

Lee Pearson has been selected to compete in the London 2012 Paralympics.[5]

He was ranked number 31 in the World Pride Power List 2013.

References