Dressage Rider and Para-Equestrian
Member of the Paralympic Shadow Squad for 2008 Paralympics

I've been riding in one form or another for most of my life. I've had a go at a lot of different sports from a little rodeo to a lot of polocrosse. I've been riding dressage for about five years now and its a much more gentlemanly pursuit.

Currently I have two competition horses.

Barastoc (or Bruiser to his friends) is an almost 16hh thoroughbred who at 18 years old has had a long and distinguished dressage career. He won a bronze medal at the 2000 Paralympics and has competed at many State and National Dressage Championships. I have owned him for four years and in the time we have won two National Para-equestrian Championships, competed at Nsw State Championships at medium and competed up to Prix St George. With Bruiser's help I am the only Australian para-equestrian of any grade to have competed Prix St George and one of only two in my grade in the world to have ever done this.

The last twelve months have been difficult for Bruiser having a series of minor injuries. He is enjoying a break over winter and is back fighting fit. While he is closing in on retirement, we will be competing during spring and summer at some competitions.

Peaceful Warrior (Coco)is a new member of the family. I was lucky enough to discover him in Holland last year and bought him after a twenty minute ride. He has been in Australia for about six months now and we will be beginning our dressage career very soon. He is by Weltmeyer and has inherited THAT trot which is a real challenge for me but we are slowly developing a good understanding. He is a very patient, very sensitive horse. I would hope we will be able to work through the ranks towards FEI and just see where we can go.

Some of my recent results:

Among my goals are to gain selection for the 2008 Paralympics but I also have an eye on the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and London.

I will be working very hard with Coco to see just how far we can go, my ultimate goal being Grand Prix. There have only been a handful of para-equestrian riders to have achieved this so it is a big mountain but well worth a go!

I am very lucky to have Elementals supporting me. Rebecca is extremely helpful and supportive. She has a tremendous knowledge of nutrition and health and my horses are always in the best possible condition. In particular, Rebecca has been able to enhance their ability to recover from the various injuries and problems that performance horses can and do run into from time to time.

I am very grateful for Rebecca's support and look forward to a long and successful partnership.