Great Britain's Para-Equestrian Dressage team member and London 2012 hopeful Lee Pearson with Gentleman at his stables during a media day in Cheddleton, Staffordshire.
In a short film made for Channel 4, the British network broadcasting the Paralympics, equestrian Lee Pearson described himself as “the disabled James Bond.” His tricks and secrets on the saddle have helped him earn nine gold medals at the Paralympics—three in Sydney, three in Athens, and three in Beijing. But unlike Bond, Pearson lives his life in the open: he is one of only two openly gay Paralympians competing in London. Pearson, who won the 2003 British National Championships competing against able-bodied riders, is also known as a gentleman. In Athens he gave his winner’s flowers to another rider whose horse had died during the competition.