My StoryBorn into a close-knit farming family in Lincolnshire, I had a love of horses bred into me and also a love for skiing. In September 1991 I was returning to work in London as a passenger in a car, when it left the road, resulting in catastrophic injuries and permanent paralysis. Amongst many other less severe injuries, my neck was broken in such a way that I should not have expected use of either my arms or legs to return. However, after seven months in hospital and time in the widely acclaimed spinal unit at Stoke Mandeville, I became an outpatient and began my convalescence and rehabilitation at home. |
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With the support of my friends and family, I slowly began to regain most of my former independence to the point where I was able to live in an adapted cottage on the family farm. My London life, riding and skiing became distant memories, but somehow my love of horses never left me and it was my dream to one day get back in the saddle. Once I was stronger and more sure of my capabilities, I tried to cajole a few people into letting me have a go at riding. Sadly, in this current climate of health and safety, nobody was willing to let me try, saying I was too disabled. That is, until I met Roger Philpot (Chairman of Sidesaddle Association) who managed to see beyond my disability and declared that it would be his biggest challenge yet. |
I found that it was escapism from my wheelchair which I had been longing for and being at one with a horse again. To be able to get across fields and the feeling of freedom was overwhelming – something I took for granted before.
I have come along way since I was lifted onto a horse by Roger himself and led gingerly around an indoor school! At that time, I had no idea of the physical benefits it would give me relating to strength and balance, or the mental benefits of subsequently enabling me to regain confidence once more.
| In order to take the next obvious step (or giant leap!) of acquiring a horse that could cope with my disability, there were many practical obstacles to overcome (as well as persuading my support team that it was possible). I needed somewhere safe to ride, so with a friend’s father, redesigned and built a special arena to accommodate my needs. The fundamental problem of getting on and off also needed addressing, so a ramp was welded together and altered several times before it became perfect for my needs. This was all before the perfect horse could be found and brought home. |  |
Once the horse was home and riding went smoothly there, I finally gave way to Roger’s badgering and entered a para dressage competition. This meant I have to get out and about and be able to mount and dismount safely. My support team spent countless hours and miles trying to find the perfect lorry at auction that could be turned into my ideal horsebox, complete with specially designed lift for mounting and dismounting.
With all in place, I started entering serious competitions and my marks began to increase until I realised that I was competing directly with people who had competed at the Paralympics, World and European Championships and was managing to hold my own.
