Riding her dream

Grace is a talented rider with the Australian Para Equestrian Team. She was paralysed in an accident when she was 11. With courage and determination she began riding again and has developed into a real talent. Here she is competing in Vancouver on local horse Duffys Ringo.
The Australian Team is looking for donations to support their competing at the World Championships in England in July 2007. If you would like to help then more details can be found at:
www.horseriding.org.au/RDAA

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• horse
• dressage
• para
• equestrian
• disabled
• sport
• Australia

[xkaylakaotic]

So..I don`t get it.

Is she paralayzed here?

Or is this before the accident?

[smakd1]

Yes Grace is paralysed with no use of her legs. That's what makes this sport so inspiring.

[H3R1Skyline]

If you knew how hard dressage was for an able bodied person then you would appreciate this a little more.

Good on ya Grace!

[Loganluva]

haha thats my barn! of course its really a jumper barn but it looks nice with a dressage set up lol she really well! alot better then I could ever wish to be able to do in dressage!

[LovintheWest]

Awesome job!!

[lizlol]

if this is the same grace i'm pretty sure it is.. she's a friend of mine! we're on the aussie squad together :) she's a brilliant rider and oozes determination!

[eventerkatie84]

What an amazing job she did! You wouldn't guess she wasn't able bodied, go Grace!!! :) xxx

[fluffypinknoodle]

Riders withough strength in their legs usually have some other form of communication. For example, one of the recent Grade II champions in Australia has little muscle strength, and so she uses voice commands and 2 dressage whips, one in each hand, instead of ther legs.

Its hard to see inthis video, but Grace has 2 whips, one in each hand, that she uses as a 'replacement' for her legs. The horse responds to them just as well, although it is harder to use whips than your legs.

[luv4cascy]

that was a good ride :) i know what its like to not have much strength in legs...im just now getting them back..long story...but she rode well :)

[18italia18]

she actually is not parralizzed is she ?? she nearly was but i dont think she is x

[sodashakes]

That horse is at the barn that I ride at:)

[pintorock101]

GO GRACE! hehe. my name is grace and i love riding. i dont so dressage but..she is really good. ya know, ...YOU GO GURL!

[2Shalimar]

Quite impressive!

[calulmeu]

Good for her! I think she will have a future with this.. She is sitting much better than the ones that are not disabled. Have fun with the horse! You are very good!