I was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome, which is a is an unusual condition of foetal development in which fibrous bands of tissue that originate from the amniotic sac encircle and constrict certain foetal areas, which in my case has affected my hands and ankles. I started riding at the age of eight at the local riding school, and a few months later was the proud owner of my first pony. I competed in all the usual PC activities, but after a couple of bad falls whilst jumping, I took up able-bodied dressage at the age of 12. Para Dressage riders are classified depending on their degree of physical disability and range from Grade 1 to 4, Grade 1 riders have a greater degree of disability than Grade IV and the tests reflect this in the movements that are required to be perform. I was originally classified as a grade V rider, which meant that I couldn’t ride as a Para Dressage rider. However, David Hamer, who is the World Class Start and Potential discipline co-ordinator for Para dressage, spotted me at an U21 talent spotting competition for able-bodied dressage riders in 2003. David urged me to go for a re-classification, and try for the World Class Start Para Dressage selection trials. Due to deterioration of my condition I was re-graded to a Grade IV rider and was selected onto the programme in 2004. Following the selection trials in 2006, I have recently been re-selected and have moved up to the Potential programme. Besides competing in Para Dressage competitions, I also compete in able-bodied dressage up to Prix St. George level. I train with Angela Weiss, and have been doing so for 2 years, we have a great partnership and she has helped me so much. Angela is also the World Class Start & Potential Para Dressage Squad Coach, alongside Nina Venables. In the early stages of my dressage career I spent three years training with Vicky Thompson and nearly three years with Tracey Woodhead, who both gave me a great start and taught me so much. The World Class Start and Potential Para Dressage programme is Lottery funded through UK Sport and was introduced to provide an established development pathway for young, talented riders with opportunities and access to many areas of training and support that will further my development as a potential Paralympic rider. The programme is designed to provide top-class training, support and expert advice ranging from sports psychologist Jennie Killilea, human dietician Liz Purcell, equine nutritionist Isabel Stuart from Spillers, the English Institute of Sport (EIS) and many more. As part of the training provided, I received funding from World Class to train in Germany, where I was able to gain experience riding top-level dressage schoolmasters. In 2005 I was awarded a TASS 2012 scholarship, which is aimed at providing World Class resources and infrastructure to support the very best athletes to achieve success towards and in 2012. The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is a Government funded programme that awards Scholarships to talented athletes that are committed to combining their sport and education and in 2006 I was a recipient of a TASS award. The funding that I have received from both scholarships has contributed greatly to my training and equipment/facilities. I have represented Great Britain in Para Dressage on many occasions in Germany, France, Belgium and Great Britain.
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