DRESSAGE rider Felicity Coulthard is facing her biggest challenge yet after funding for her ‘dream’ place at next year’s Paralympic Games was withdrawn.

Felicity, 26, from Darwen - who suffers from Cerebral Palsy affecting her speech and movements - won a silver medal for Team GBR at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing on gelding Roffelaar.

She is rated as Britain’s number one Grade II dressage rider.

But hopes of representing the country in London, and her career as an international rider will be over - if replacement sponsorship of £2,000 a month cannot be found.

Between now and September, Felicity needs the money to compete in several events across the country where she needs to achieve scores of 70 per cent and over to qualify.

The British Equestrian Federation, which is Lottery funded, say it withdrew her money after she failed to meet standards in competitions.

But Felicity’s father, Jim Coulthard, said although she took six months out last year to have son Ethan and missed qualifying competitions, she was now meeting required targets and ‘doing better than ever’.

He said: “Unfortunately, the harsh reality is that if we fail to raise this short term funding, not only will this end Felicity’s dream of reaching the Paralympics once again in London, but will sadly mean the end of her career as a international dressage rider.”

Felicity trains with Preston-based Adam Murdin, while Roffelaar lives at stables in Captain Mark Philips yard in Gloucestershire.

Sponsorship money is needed to cover the costs of overnight stays in Gloucester each week and transporting Roffelaar throughout the country.

Equestrian Team GBR Performance director Will Connell said that Felicity was supported throughout her pregnancy and had worked with team staff to plan her route back to competition.

But he said she had failed to meet targets at competitions in the 2011 spring calendar.

He said: “The decision will not prevent Felicity from returning to the programme in the future or rule her out of potential selection for forthcoming championships, but, like all athletes on the programme she must prove herself capable of achieving results in the potential medal zone.“ Anyone who wishes to sponsor Felicity is asked to email jamecoulthard@btinternet.com