Martin 4th in Individual Championship; books Freestyle berth

Lisa Martin has fallen agonisingly short of winning Australia’s first equestrian medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The 44-year-old scored 71.476% aboard her horse Fast Famous, which saw her finish 0.976 behind the bronze medal position in the individual championship test grade IV.

But Martin was thrilled with her performance.

“I was just stoked with the horse. This is only her third time doing that test, so you couldn’t ask anything more of her. There are some amazing horses here and I’m just really proud to be representing my country.”

Great Britain’s Sophie Wells claimed gold, Belgium’s Michele George won silver, and Frank Hosmar of the Netherlands took bronze.

Martin of Scone, New South Wales, has now qualified for the individual freestyle test on Friday.

“It’s really different altogether. I’ve got sequence changes in canter, I’ve got canter pirouettes in it, but I’ve still got my simple changes. It’s a lot more exciting.”

25-year-old Victorian Emma Booth returns to the arena on Thursday for the individual championship test grade II.

She will be aiming to improve on her 13th place in the team championship.

APC Media

15 September 2016; 1am

Grade 4 Para-Equestrian Lisa Martin has finished fourth in the Individual Championship at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and in doing so will qualify through to Friday's Freestyle.

Riding First Famous, Martin achieved an individual championship score of 71.476%. Her result initally had her sitting in the silver medal position but two of the three riders that followed Martin marginally eclipsed her score. The gold was won by Sophie Wells of Great Britain with a score of 74.857%. Results

It is Martin's second fourth place finish at the Games after the 44 year old finished the team test in the same position.

Emma Booth will complete Australia's team campaign when she competes in the Grade 2 Individual Championship on Thursday.