Lee Pearson and Zion (right) with Herwig Radnetter, of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, and his horse Pluto Sabata. Other athletes say Pearson's personality "blows everyone else out of the water."
Riding flair —
Lee Pearson and Zion (right) with Herwig Radnetter, of the Spanish Riding School of Vienna, and his horse Pluto Sabata. Other athletes say Pearson's personality "blows everyone else out of the water."
Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Pearson has been dubbed a "gay icon" for his prominence as an out athlete on the British Paralympic team.
Home hero —
Pearson has been dubbed a "gay icon" for his prominence as an out athlete on the British Paralympic team.
David Davies/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Pearson says it took him time to come to terms with disability sport and his fellow competitors -- but the Paralympic athletes' village revolutionized the way he thought about disability.
'Disability phobic' —
Pearson says it took him time to come to terms with disability sport and his fellow competitors -- but the Paralympic athletes' village revolutionized the way he thought about disability.
Kit Houghton/BEF
The Queen inspects Lee Pearson's Paralympic medals in 2009. Pearson has been honored several times by Her Majesty but has publicly questioned his lack of a knighthood.
Golden honour —
The Queen inspects Lee Pearson's Paralympic medals in 2009. Pearson has been honored several times by Her Majesty but has publicly questioned his lack of a knighthood.
John Stillwell/WPA Pool/Getty Images
Pearson won team gold with Great Britain at London 2012, but missed out on individual titles -- which was seen as a shock result.
Left wanting in London —
Pearson won team gold with Great Britain at London 2012, but missed out on individual titles -- which was seen as a shock result.
Kit Houghton/BEF
In 2014, Pearson and horse Zion bounced back to claim all three available titles at the World Equestrian Games in France.
World winner again —
In 2014, Pearson and horse Zion bounced back to claim all three available titles at the World Equestrian Games in France.
Kit Houghton/BEF