I am writing this from the CPEDI3* Para Equestrian Competition in Ashburn, Ontario. This is the largest Para Equestrian Competition ever held and there are 40 horses here and 7 nations being represented. By far, the Canadians have the best team of horses and also the most organized and professional looking Team. They are well funded, and each athlete has a team of helpers. It is amazing to see how much effort it takes each athlete to prepare, and mount their horse. Imagine sitting in a wheelchair and leading, tacking, cleaning feeding and watering your horse. Now imagine getting to and from the show office over gravel, dirt and grass terrain. It is all such an effort!
The American team (there are about 10 athletes) are all self funded it really becomes a struggle to keep up with the other countries. Most are riding borrowed horses and some do not get to test out that horse until the day before the competition. What bravery.
Some of the Athletes are born with disabilities and some develop them through life (accidents, illnesses). All of them have a great positive attitude and super friendly.
In this photo is Kim, my student, riding Windsor's Mira. What the photo does not show is that it takes two people to get her on the horse- One to hold the horse and one to spot Kim as she transfers from the wheelchair and onto the block and then hops up to the top step and then a final push gets her on the the horse.
For more information about Para Equestrian Sports in the USA go to www.uspea.org.
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