Paris games a 'pinch-me' moment for dressage star

Lottie Fry began riding as a child at her home in Aike, near Driffield

A champion dressage rider is "staying in the moment" despite gold medal hopes at the Paris Olympics.

Charlotte "Lottie" Fry, who grow up in Aike, near Driffield, won a bronze medal in team dressage at the Tokyo games and went on to become a world and European champion.

The 28-year-old said competing in Paris for Team GB would be a "pinch-me moment", but she was trying not to get ahead of herself.

"With horses it can be very unpredictable, so we just do our best and hope for the best," she added.

"It’s one of those things that you don’t really believe until you’re there.”

It was "very important to stay in the moment" and "just take each day as it comes", Fry said.

Lottie Fry rode Everdale at the Tokyo Olympics, and will be riding Glamourdale in Paris

Born into an equestrian family, Fry has been riding since she was a child. Her late mother, Laura, competed at the 1992 Barcelona games.

Fry said: "When I grew up, I learned about the Olympics and saw all the clothing. It’s always been a massive dream and a huge inspiration.”

Home support

During the Tokyo games, competitors had to contend with Covid-19 restrictions and Fry said she was grateful the Paris Olympics were being staged closer to home.

"I think it’s going to be an incredible atmosphere in Paris and we’ll have full crowds," she said.

“My dad is coming too – he was really sad he couldn’t be in Tokyo, so he’s really excited already. He’s always been a massive support to me.”

Fry now lives in the Netherlands, where she moved aged 18, but is looking forward to visiting Yorkshire again when she has a break.

"I don’t get to go home that often, it’s probably been about a year and a half now, but we’ve been in full Paris training, so I think after the Olympics I’ll be very happy to go home," she said.