About Me
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January 1985
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| Lives |
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Grantham, Lincolnshire |
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| Facilities |
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Based with trainer Karen Thompson at The Paddocks Riding Centre, Hough-on-the-Hill near Grantham.
Facilities include 20m x 60m outdoor arena and access to a horse simulator |
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| Disability |
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I was born with Cerebral Palsy which affects my balance and the co-ordination of both my arms and legs.
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| Para-Equestrian Classification |
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Grade 1A
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| Qualifications |
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I have a National Diploma in Animal Management (Distinction Level). |
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| Background |
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I started riding at the age of two after my physiotherapist suggested to my parents that it would be a good thing for me to do to help with my physical development. At the age of 7, I started to ride with Karen and Kesteven Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) at The Paddocks Riding Centre. My first taste of competition with the RDA came in the form of RDA Handy Pony competitions which were like obstacle courses, and at the age of 16 I was introduced to dressage by which time I was eager to develop my riding further.
In 2004 I was first selected onto the World Class Para Dressage Development Squad, and in 2010 after winning a Gold and a Silver Medal at the 2009 European Championships, and a Gold and a Bronze Medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games (WEG), I was promoted onto the World Class Performance Squad: British Equestrian Federation / British Equestrian Teams
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| Introduction to Para Dressage |
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Para Dressage Riders, like other disabled athletes are profiled according to their level of disability, the reason for this is because it wouldn’t be fair for an athlete with a more severe disability to compete against those who are physically more able.
Riders are assessed by two classifiers who assess the riders disability ‘off-horse’, and this has nothing to do with their ability ‘on the horse’. Riders are graded from grades 1A to 4, with grade 1A riders being at the severe end of the disability range and grade 4’s having the least impairment. The level of movements that are required in the dressage tests vary in each grade. Because my disability affects so many parts of my body, I am profiled as a Grade 1A rider. |
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