Laurentia Tan

Started: She began riding at age five at the Diamond Riding Centre in London, England. (Athlete, 26 Aug 2012) Reason: She took up Para equestrian as part of her physiotherapy sessions. "My love of horses started when I was a little girl. Riding a horse gave me the freedom, movement, and energy that my own legs could not do. Horses lend me their legs and together we can 'fly' and take on anything." (fei.org, 31 Mar 2018; Athlete, 08 Aug 2012) Milestones: She became the first Singaporean rider, and the first from any Asian nation, to win a medal in dressage at the Paralympic Games by claiming two bronze medals at the 2008 Games in Beijing. (SportsDeskOnline, 08 Jun 2020; fei.org, 04 Sep 2012; beijing2008.cn, 11 Sep 2008) At the 2012 Paralympic Games in London she added two more medals to her career Paralympic tally, making her the first Singapore athlete from any sport to win four career Paralympic medals of any colour. Her record was surpassed by swimmer Yip Pin Xiu at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Jul 2024) Awards: In 2023 she was presented with the Achievement award at the Goh Chok Tong Enable Awards [GCTEA] in Singapore. (channelnewsasia.com, 22 Dec 2023; Instagram profile, 13 Dec 2023) She was one of the International Paralympic Committee [IPC] flag bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (Facebook profile, 25 Aug 2021) In 2014 she was inducted into the Singapore Women's Hall of Fame. (swhf.sg, 20 Mar 2014) In recognition of her performances at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, she was named the Straits Times' Athlete of the Year, presented with Singapore's Public Service Star [Bintang Bakti Masyarakat], and given the UK Deaf Overseas Sports Athlete of the Year award. (paralympic.org, 03 Sep 2013) Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2018 she began assisting in research for Audiovisability, an England-based charity that helps people with hearing impairments experience music. She has served as a member of the International Equestrian Federation [FEI] athletes' committee. "My goal as a member of this committee is to represent the views of the Para equestrian community, resolve any concerns and issues from Para equestrian athletes, and keep all equestrian sports fair, clean, transparent, and enjoyable for both the athletes and the fans." (Audiovisability Facebook page, 06 Sep 2021, 07 May 2021, 20 Dec 2018, 20 Sep 2018; fei.org, 31 Mar 2018) FROM SINGAPORE TO ENGLAND Born in Singapore, she moved to England at age three with her family. "We moved because the schools there are very good with the necessary facilities," said her mother. "I'm not sure if she could have achieved all this if she had stayed in Singapore." (divinediary.com, 01 Sep 2008) FURTHER EDUCATION In 2022 she began studying for a postgraduate certificate in mental health and wellbeing practice at the University of Sussex in England. She has also studied psychology at University College London in England. (paralympic.org, 09 Dec 2022; LinkedIn profile, 01 Sep 2022)