BBC Sportolympics

Age 33, Paralympic dressage

Pearson is the undisputed world number one in his sport, with six Paralympic golds.

Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, leaving his limbs bent and twisted, the Staffordshire-born star got into horses watching cowboy films and learned to ride on a donkey.

After three golds on a borrowed horse on his Olympic debut in 2000, he claimed a stunning victory over able-bodied riders at the 2003 British National Championships.

Picking up numerous world and European titles on Blue Circle Boy, Pearson now pins his hopes on new horse Gentleman.