Nine-time Paralympic dressage gold medallist Lee Pearson will miss September’s European Championships in Belgium with a back injury.

Recently reported by bbc.co.uk, Paralympic dressage rider Lee Pearson is out of the Europeans.

The 37-year-old fell from his horse during a training session, injuring his back and putting him out of the saddle for eight weeks – meaning he will miss the selection events in July.

An MRI scan revealed he had fractured three vertebrae and crushed a fourth.

“The news came as quite a shock. It’s just uncomfortable to ride,” he said.

“I never dreamed it could be broken. I thought I must have sprained it as I’m able to carry on with life pretty much as normal.”

Although the fractures are stable and Pearson expects to make a full recovery, he has been advised not to ride to allow everything time to heal.

The European Championships – the last major Para dressage event before the London Games – take place in Belgium on 1-4 September.

Pearson added: “Nothing is set in stone and I could be riding again sooner than I think but either way it’s much more important that I’m injury free and back in form for the Paralympics next year.”

The five-strong team for the European Championships will be chosen after the two remaining selection events at Hickstead and Hartpury next month.

British riders have won team gold at every Paralympic, World and European Championship since the sport began.

Performance Manager David Hunter added: “It’s very unfortunate that Lee has had this accident but we are relieved to hear though that it has been picked up early .

“We expect to see him back on board soon and fighting fit for London 2012.”

Paralympic Dressage Competitor Back On Track

Recently reported by the bbc.co.uk, a Warwickshire paralympic dressage hopeful has told of her delight at finding a new horse to train with, after her own dressage horse became lame.

Ruth MacCarthy, 26, of Wellesbourne, has been unable to train for the 2012 Games since January after her horse Whisper ruptured a ligament.

An owner has now given her his horse on a long-term loan.

Conquestadore, nick-named Carlos, has been flown over from Germany and has completed his first week’s training.

‘Really panicking’

The 12-year-old is owned by David Marsh, from Lewes, in Sussex.

He contacted Miss MacCarthy after she was featured on BBC Midlands Today.

Miss MacCarthy said: “Of course I’m delighted. I was really starting to panic and worry that I would never find a new horse in time, but at the same time I didn’t really want to believe that.”

Miss MacCarthy, who works as a paralegal, has been riding since she was four years old but broke her back, hip and pelvis when she was 19 when the horse she was riding fell on top of her.

She no longer has the full use of one of her legs but was back in the saddle within 12 months – before she was able to get out of her wheelchair – and hopes to compete in the grade 4 Paralympic dressage.

Her horse ruptured a ligament last July while not being ridden and is now pregnant and due to give birth within the next two weeks.

Miss MacCarthy said Carlos had only been ridden by able-bodied riders before but had competed at the advanced level in dressage.

She said he was adapting well.