Before taking up dressage, I'd distanced myself from the Paralympics because I hadn't wanted to be defined by my disability. Then when I grew up and got an office job, things started to change. I'm actually allergic to horses, but I'm even more allergic to paperwork! Lee Pearson allergicchangedefine share on social
I couldn't pedal a bike as a child, so I had a donkey instead. I loved the power and freedom it had. Lee Pearson bikechilddonkey Change image and share on social
I feel lucky that I found my talent, not unlucky that I was born with a disability. When I'm on a horse, I'm more worried about what the riding hat is doing to my hair than what my bent legs and arms are doing. What riding has given me is respect. Lee Pearson armbearbend share on social
I had a donkey called Sally that I used to call my BMX bike. As a child, I wasn't a very good horse rider: I thought falling off was normal, and I would just get back on again. I didn't realise you weren't meant to fall off. Lee Pearson backbikebmx share on social
When people chat to me about my childhood and getting into horses, they're like, 'Was it like the birds sang and the sun came out? Was it an amazing experience?' I'm like, 'No, it was rubbish. I was frightened. I was pretty unbalanced, and most ponies took advantage of me.' Lee Pearson advantageamazebird share on social
I'm a gay disabled man who has become very successful. I don't get up in the morning and think I'm inspirational; I just get up thinking that I love horses. Lee Pearson disablegayhorse Change image and share on social
Whether I'm riding a horse or driving a car, I'm feeling them, judging what they're doing, trying to work out what I can take them up to. Lee Pearson cardrivefelt Change image and share on social
Paralympics has always had to push the media into it being about sport and not focusing on the disability. Lee Pearson disabilityfocusmedium Change image and share on social
I've stayed in the best hotels in the world, but you could put me in prison, and I'd still have fun. Lee Pearson funhavehotel Change image and share on social
I'm just a genetic freak, but it has never stopped me from doing whatever I want to. Lee Pearson freakgeneticstop Change image and share on social
