NATASHA Baker, who trains in Oxfordshire, enjoyed the perfect confidence-booster ahead of her challenge in the individual Grade 2 dressage today.

The 22-year-old recorded the best individual score in the team Grade 2 dressage (for athletes with reasonable balance and abdominal control including amputees) on Thursday – but it counted for nothing.

Baker, who trains at Milton-under-Wychwood with Emile Faurie, was effectively having a practice round on Cabral in the Paralympic Arena as she was not selected for the Great Britain team.

Baker, who scored an average of 76.09 per cent – four per cent better than her nearest rival – said: “I am very happy and so proud of my horse, Cabral, who exceeded my expectations. “It was a good warm-up and to take the lead with four per cent was incredible.”