Three years later he scored a personal best and placed sixth overall in his grade at the World Equestrian Dressage Championships for the disabled in Belgium. He also competed at the Athens 2004 Games.

Age does not deter Mitchell's determination to join the Beijing Games. To qualify for it, he competed in the Pacific Rim Competition in British Columbia, Canada, in 2006, and took part in last year's World Championships in Hartpury, England.

"I absolutely love to ride. Riding is so good for me and my self-esteem. It helps my balance and really feel good with it," said Mitchell whose next target will be the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, United States, after the 2008 Games.

"He did well but I could not get him peaked all the time," said Mitchell, adding that his partner Highland Fling was not on the bit sometimes during the test.

Mitchell said he was looking forward to the freestyle performance which will be held on Sept. 11. A classical music has been chosen for the test.

(Xinhua News Agency September 10, 2008)