By Elizabeth Hudson

Pearson enjoyed much success with Blue Circle Boy

It has been anything but a straightforward build-up to the Paralympics this summer for leading British Para-equestrian dressage rider Lee Pearson.

Pearson is widely regarded as one of the top riders in the world with six Paralympic golds, as well as numerous world and European titles with his horse Blue Circle Boy.

But after Blue Circle Boy, known as Gus, was forced into retirement last year, the 34-year-old goes to Hong Kong with a new horse Gentleman, a seven-year-old gelding from Germany.

The pair linked up together last October and are now working hard as they hope to grab Paralympic honours in September.

"After Gus retired, I rode another horse Altino at last year's World Championships and I won gold with him but he was only ever a short-term replacement so I had to go and spend my life savings on a horse," Pearson told BBC Sport.

"Gentleman had never done dressage before so I bought him based on the potential that I saw.

"When you buy a horse you still don't know their personality and it can take years for them to feel comfortable in a dressage arena.

"It was a big risk but I had to take the risk as I only had a year to find a horse and get used to it and train it to the level I needed to challenge for Paralympic gold again."

Pearson was born with a condition called arthrogryposis, which makes the muscles in the arms and legs grow as scar tissue and walks with the help of crutches and leg splints.

But he is the only disabled person to have won a title at the British Dressage National Championships and is using all of his experience to try to get the best out of Gentleman.

"Gus was spooky, a bit lazy, not very sensitive and a bit awkward while Gentleman is not spooky and not lazy but he is very sensitive," he admitted.

"I have to give him more encouragement than I did with Gus and build his confidence but still keep him chilled and ensure he enjoy his work.

"He's not as highly trained as Gus and we have to promote his good points and hide his not so good points."

The pair combined for some impressive performances in the British selection trials and at a competition in Belgium, which provided plenty of challenges.

"Anything can happen when you are working with live animals so you need a lot of luck" Paralympic champion Lee Pearson

They are among a seven-strong GB team named for the Paralympics which includes a mix of experience from the likes of Pearson, Anne Dunham and Debbie Criddle, as well as newcomers Felicity Coulthard, Simon Laurens and Ricky Balshaw.

Despite all of his experience, Pearson knows that he will need some luck to ensure he and Gentleman make it to Hong Kong fit and well, mindful of the misfortune that struck Zara Phillips which recently forced her out of Olympic contention.

"Gentleman still needs a lot more experience and I really want to get him out and about to educate him but without tiring or frightening him," he said.

"He is probably the most inexperienced horses on the squad but I am one of the more experienced riders.

"We will keep taking him out to different venues but at the same time wrapping him in cotton wool because horses can easily get injured.

"I'm getting older and I would love to be on a horse I have been riding for years and know inside out and when I can push and not push.

"In the past, I would have liked the challenge of getting used to a new horse but now I am getting too old. But anything can happen when you are working with live animals so you need a lot of luck."

Lee Pearson is among the British athletes who BBC Sport and Olympic Dreams are following during the countdown to Beijing.