Paris 2024: The Olympic ambition continues for future Wiltshire athletes
We're catching up with one of Wiltshire's future stars - as Dressage rider Lewis Carrier sets his sights on Los Angeles
Last updated 14th Aug 2024
As we reflect on an historic Olympic Games, some are already looking ahead... Four years ahead, to be exact.
That's because, with the ending of the previous cycle, the new one is just getting going, as sportspeople around the world set their hopes on making it to Los Angeles in 2028.
One of those hails right here - from Wiltshire - and he's hoping to follow in the footsteps of Olympic greatness, after the Team GB squad successfully defended their Dressage gold medal over at the Château de Versailles a little over a fortnight ago.
Based in Malmesbury, Lewis Carrier is an international Grand Prix Dressage rider and coach, who currently trains with London 2012 gold medallist, Carl Hester.
In his sporting journey so far, the 27-year-old,. who originally hails from Norfolk, has performed in the Under-25 Grand Prix European Team, the Young Rider European squad - and currently finds himself on the British Equestrian World Class Pathway - having stepped-up to Senior Grand Prix level back in 2023.
This might not have been reality for the future Team GB protégé - who, at the time of his GCSEs, had to decide whether to pursue a career on the West End, or follow his dream of working with horses.
As part of the Olympic Ambition Programme - designed to give up-and-coming athletes the chance to experience the Games from an in-depth perspective in an aim to inspire them ahead of the next cycle - Lewis made his way to Paris 2024.
The athlete - who went to school in Ely before attending Gloucestershire's Hartpury College - didn't just witness the Equestrian, but dove right in, embracing the Olympic life experienced by athletes from all sorts of disciplines.
'We're extremely lucky with our sport'
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Lewis said: "In Paris, the amount of people who came out to watch Dressage was huge - it was fantastic, and shows the support for the sport is there.
"We're extremely lucky with our sport, too.
"That's because, although we are the athlete going to the Olympics, it's the horses who are the Olympians. And, with the right horse, we can attend multiple Games if we want to - because age really isn't as much of a factor as in other sports."
Interestingly, it seems that horses might also be smarter than we might think.
Earlier this week, researchers from Nottingham Trent University revealed the animals performed better than expected in a complex reward-based game.
When denied treats for not following the rules, they were apparently able to instantly switch strategies - something scientists say demonstrates the ability to think and plan ahead - something previously considered to be beyond their capacity.
Lewis told us: "Horses are extremely intelligent animals.
"What they can do as athletes is absolutely incredible - just the way they respond to the riders and the the athletes to complete at the top level is amazing, and they just do some inspirational things.
"With the right training, and the right partnership with the right rider, they can really put on a spectacular performance."
Well, as the Olympic flag lands in America, Lewis is certainly thinking if Los Angeles 2028 will be his time to shine.
'It's all about timing'
He added: "Competing at that level, it's all about timing.
"It's not just about us, as the athletes, but it's also about the horses - so it's having the right horse at the right level at the right time.
"I'm going to make it my mission, though, to make it to LA - but before all of that, we've got a European Championships next year, and in 2026, we've got the World Equestrian Games, which are certainly closer goals to aim for at the moment before we even get the chance to think about the Olympic Games on the other side of the Atlantic.
"I always feel, at my age, I want it in the 'here and now' - and I certainly felt that this time in Paris.
"But, I have to remember, there's plenty of time ahead - so I'm really hopeful for what's to come in the future."
Read more: 'Straight back to work' for Tom McEwen's team after the Olympics
You can check out more about Lewis on his website.