Para-dressage: Christiansen and Wells win in France

Sophie Christiansen and Athene on their way to success

Paralympic gold medallists Sophie Christiansen and Sophie Wells started their international seasons with success at the International Para-dressage competition in France.

Christiansen, 28, topped the standings in her Grade Ia category in Deauville.

She won in both the individual and the freestyle events on her horse, Athene.

Wells, 25, filled the first two spots in the Grade IV individual with Valerius and Fatal Attraction and then claimed freestyle success on Valerius.

Christiansen, who is hoping to add to her five Paralympic titles in Rio this summer, claimed impressive scores of 75.739 and 77.150

There was also a strong performance in the event from 67-year-old Anne Dunham who finished third behind Christiansen in the individual event and was freestyle runner-up.

Deb Criddle took bronze in the Grade III freestyle, after just missing out on a medal in her individual competition, while the GB quartet also won team gold.