It has been a dramatic lead-up to the 2022 FEI World Championships for the Australian Para Dressage Team. Initially, Equestrian Australia High Performance announced it would not be sending a team to Herning in August – a decision later reversed after thousands in the equestrian community campaigned for the qualified riders to attend the Championships.

Three Australian para riders are converging on Denmark with even more fire in their bellies and a host of supporters cheering them on from home. The riders selected on the team are Emma Booth riding Furst Deluxe, Dianne Barnes riding Cil Dara Cosmic, and Lisa Martin riding Juicy Wiggle.

EMMA BOOTH & FURST DELUXE – GRADE III

Grade III para dressage rider, Emma Booth, is an old hand at international competition despite being only 31 years old. The unstoppable young rider has competed at two Paralympics and, as she heads into Herning 2022, has the experience of the 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) under her belt too. Earlier this year, Emma relocated to Germany to train with Maree Tomkinson in a bid to be selected for Herning.

Joining Emma in the arena will be the nine-year-old gelding, Furst Deluxe, owned by Maree Tomkinson, Lyn Sultana and Deb MacNicol, with Andre Bilreiro grooming. The partnership between Emma and ‘Fursty’ is only months old but already proving a very powerful combination.

EQ LIFE: When did you start riding and what discipline were you most interested in?

EMMA: Prior to my accident, I was an eventer. I started riding when I was 11 and by the time I turned 14, I had secured a ride on a 16.1hh OTT TB called MP Griffin, who was owned by Michael Parker. Griff took me through the levels of eventing from Intro to 1* (now 2*) within 12 months.

EQ LIFE: You were involved in an awful traffic accident when you were only 22. What was the resulting injury?

EMMA: My accident was on the 7th April, 2013. Injuries included a bleed on the brain, fracture to the base of my skull, fractured collar bone, punctured lung, fractured sternum, severe abdominal injuries, damage to my spine and spinal cord resulting in paraplegia, and lastly a compound fracture to my left ankle.

EQ LIFE: Those injuries had a big impact on how you now sit in the saddle and ride. Can you explain how you normally sit in the saddle and control the horse?

EMMA: Without the full use of my legs, I have a custom-made saddle with straps over my thighs. My feet are secured to the stirrups, which are then secured to the girth to hold my lower leg in place and I am able to use two whips to compensate for my lack of leg aids.

EQ LIFE: What major events have you competed at as a para rider and what placings have you had?

EMMA: The 2016 Rio Paralympics where Zidane and I were fifth in the Individual test; the 2018 WEG where we were fourth in the Individual test and fifth in the Freestyle; and the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, where we were fifth in the Freestyle.

EQ LIFE: What is the biggest moment you remember in your riding career?

EMMA: The most memorable moment would be my Freestyle at WEG Tryon in 2018. After nearly losing my beloved Zidane to colic in 2017, getting him to the world stage only 12 months later was nothing short of amazing and a huge credit to his fighting spirit. Everything came together in our Freestyle, and the feeling of halting on our final centerline, knowing all we’d been through to get there and having ridden the best test we possibly could have, was a very emotional moment.

EQ LIFE: You’ve picked up the rides on two new horses, Friday IV and Furst Deluxe. How did that come about?

EMMA: I was lucky enough to gain rides on Maree Tomkinson’s beautiful horses, Friday and Fursty, after Kerry Mack made the suggestion to Maree and her owners. It was all very unbelievable at the time, but of course I jumped at the opportunity. I’m so grateful and humbled to have received such a generous offer from some seriously amazing owners!

EQ LIFE: What are you looking forward to the most about Herning?

EMMA: I’m just excited to have the opportunity to represent my country again. All of my previous achievements on the world stage have been with my beloved horse Mogelvangs Zidane. To be doing it again with a different horse, and with great owners on board supporting our journey, I’m just thrilled to have the chance to get into that arena and do what I love again.

EQ LIFE: What are your expectations in regards to competing in Herning?

EMMA: Actually, I don’t really have any. I am looking forward to competing against the best para riders in the world and know the competition will be seriously tough. I’m lucky enough to have a super-talented horse, thanks to Maree Tomkinson and the owners of Fursty, that will keep us right up there in the running. Fursty is so solid with his attitude to work. You know exactly what to expect with every ride. He does his best work in a competition environment where there is a large atmosphere, so fingers crossed for some big crowds and enthusiastic atmosphere at Herning. The bigger the better and we can’t wait.

DIANNE BARNES & CIL DARA COSMIC – GRADE IV

Dianne Barnes has dedicated her life to horses. Now at 64, Dianne will be riding on the international stage for Australia. Since beginning her journey as a para rider in 2020, Dianne has rocketed through the ranks and cemented herself as one of Australia’s leading athletes. In Herning, Dianne is riding the 17-year-old mare Cil Dara Cosmic, owned and groomed by Jodie Barnes.

EQ LIFE: How did you first start riding?

DIANNE: I got my first pony at the age of four and I have now been riding for over 60 years. Like most kids I started off in Pony Club, then started to break in a few local ponies and horses to earn some money. I left school in year 10 and then went to work with Mark and Jim Houlihan, where I stayed for the next seven years.

EQ LIFE: Horses became a part of your life. Where did that passion take you?

DIANNE: I have been working as a full-time rider, trainer and coach for over 40 years, with extensive experience as an A grade show jumper, leading lady jockey, and three-day event rider. I have competed and won at State, National and Royal show horse titles and FEI level dressage. I officially judged at Royal shows and Horse of the Year shows throughout Australia and Tasmania.

I have completed successful appointments as Young Ambassador Coach and Assessor for Equestrian Victoria for both showing and dressage, along with a range of successful clinics throughout Australia.

EQ LIFE: How did you come to find your current ride, Cil Dara Cosmic?

DIANNE: After a successful show career, my daughter, Jodie, wanted to turn her hand to dressage so I thought I would give it a go with her. She purchased a three-year-old mare named Cil Dara Cosmic (Stella) from Nick and Sara English who own Cil Dara Stud in Queensland. We had brought lovely horses from them before. While Jodie and Stella worked their way through the levels, I continued with young green horses and turning them over after a season or two.

In 2014 Stella came down with colic and was rushed to South Eastern Equine Hospital where she underwent surgery. Once her recovery time had passed she continued on where she left off.

EQ LIFE: What is the nature of your physical impairment?

DIANNE: In 2016 I had spinal surgery — C5-6 and C6-7 anterior decompression and fusion — which kept me off the horses for quite a few months. In 2019 I had a full left hip replacement and the horse I climbed back on at first was Stella as she was the safest. Jodie continued going through the levels with her to Grand Prix.

At the start of 2020 I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and dystonia in my neck and told by my neurologist not to ride again as my balance, left arm and leg were affected. Jodie and I just giggled as we walked out and “well that’s not going to happen”. Jodie did the most selfless thing a person can do — she gave me her horse to ride and enjoy for the next 12 months before I retired.

EQ LIFE: So at that stage, physically you weren’t able to ride the same way as you used to. How did you get from this point to being an international para rider?

DIANNE: Jodie contacted Julia Battams at Equine Pathways Australia and we went over to be assessed. We were graded Level 5 and that was the start of my para riding career. At the start of this year, I was reassessed as Level 4 and began trying to qualify for the World Championships. After having trouble with my memory and making errors in my tests, I had a neuropsychologist test for my memory, which is declining, and became eligible for a test caller.

My journey with Jodie’s unicorn has led me to the amazing opportunity to compete for Australia as part of a team with Emma Booth and Lisa Martin. Sometimes dreams do come true!

LISA MARTIN & JUICY WIGGLE – GRADE V

The dressage arena is a familiar place to Lisa Martin, after spending a lifetime of riding inside its borders. But at just 28, Lisa was involved in a bad fall that resulted in her becoming qualified as a para rider. However, Lisa’s passion for riding never faltered and her drive even took her to the Rio Paralympic Games. Now, the 50-year-old is representing Australia at Herning 2022. Lisa will be riding her own Juicy Wiggle in Herning, who will be groomed by Maddison McAndrew.

EQ LIFE: What level were you riding in open classes before your accident?

LISA: I was riding in open classes to Grand Prix and trained several horses to this level including Conquistador, In Time, Just Elegance and Rhythmic, and we trained with Hubertus Schmidt in Germany. First Famous, who is an imported mare that I took to Rio, was very successful and scored very well including some starts at open Grand Prix (since becoming para dressage competitors), scoring 66% at the 2018 Sydney CDI Grand Prix; I won with her with nearly 68.261% a few months later.

EQ LIFE: How did your injury happen?

LISA: I had a severe ankle injury when I came off a client’s horse and it was a serious and complicated break. Eventually it was decided to fuse the joint. I actually had 16 operations before it was fused. I now have limited movement in that joint and hence no control of it. I ride with one stirrup shorter than the other and this is also not helpful to my riding, but I have learnt to accommodate for this. Two years ago, I had a terrible fall from First Famous and fractured my pelvis in many places. I was seven months in hospital and had to learn to walk all over again. The amount of metal in my pelvis is seriously amazing and I did wonder on some days during my rehabilitation if I would ever walk properly again, let alone ride. I thought of my family and friends, and they had so much faith in my strength of character to only look forwards to full recovery and with amazing surgery and physio and positivity from all around me. And here I am on the para dressage team for the World Championships. I have to say I am a very proud lady and hope that this positivity may encourage others to never lose faith in the life that lays ahead.

EQ LIFE: When did you join the para ranks and what was your grade?

LISA: I joined the para ranks in 2016 just prior to the Rio Olympics. I competed then as Grade IV and now with the introduction of Grade V, this is the level I am in now. This is the level for the least disabled. When I started, my disability was with an ankle fusion where I have no flexibility. I now have pelvic fractures that are pinned and plated but my grade has stayed the same. My only exemption is that I do not have to do sitting trot.

EQ LIFE: What are the biggest comps you have competed as a para and what are your best placings?

LISA: I competed at the Rio Paralympics and I gained three fourth placings there, which was a great result and so close to a bronze for Australia. I have competed at Grand Prix on several horses at CDIs here and overseas. I have competed at CPEDIs in Australia with good results and also overseas. I love to compete and every competition for me, no matter where or how big or small, is an achievement, and especially in the paras as I realise the dedication and love of the horses and the sport that pushes me to ride and become the best I can with what I have within and with the horses.

EQ LIFE: Can you tell us about your horse that you are taking to Herning?

LISA: Juicy Wiggle, or her stable name ‘Hallo’, was born on Halloween and was bred by us. She is by Jive Magic out of a mare I competed, Richmond Debonaire, to FEI level. She is a chestnut mare with lots of energy and willingness to show off. Debonaire was unfortunately retired after an injury. I bought her off the Oatleys. Hallo was difficult at the start, and she was taken by a super-confident lady rider who worked with stock horses. Hallo was ridden around the streets and by the river and really no dressage but simply showing her the world and getting accustomed to all things great and small. She is the half-sister to my grey horse, In Time. I have competed her to Elementary with scores in open competition to 72% and she is basically unbeaten in the para competitions with scores in the low to mid 70% and is ready now to start at Medium.

EQ LIFE: What are some of the things you are looking forward to in Herning?

LISA: I am really excited about all things Herning. To catch up with my extended equestrian family that has grown over the years from the many trips I have made overseas and to hear all that has been happening in their lives of late will be exciting. To have a homebred horse that we saw from conception to foaling to a good dressage horse – and now an Australian team member for the World Championships – makes the trip and competition all the more special.

EQ LIFE: What are some of the difficult things about travelling to the other side of the world to compete?

LISA: The prep is exhausting as the amount of information about so many things is mind-blowing. It is important to be so diligent about what to take. You need to pack light, as space is limited, but by the same token you need to be prepared for so many things that can happen with horses travelling. Communication between the riders on the team is so important as you need to have back-up and also support from each other and for sure this team is all of that. I think one of biggest factors is to have the faith in the Equestrian Australia administration as they really are the guides that have all the info to help. So this faith in them makes us feel at ease when they have all things covered. We can then simply focus on the horses and the riding and competition and no need to worry about logistics and paperwork.

EQ LIFE: What are your expectations for the World Championships?

LISA: Juicy Wiggle is young, being only seven… and a chestnut mare. I have to ride her in Herning as any other day of the week and just take it as it comes. She has plenty of talent and ability and is very stable at this level so it will be another ride on another day as if I am at home, and if this comes off then we will see how we fare.  EQ

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:

Game on at the Championships (our show jumping team) – Equestrian Life, August 2022

Leaping for Joy at the Worlds (our vaulting team) – Equestrian Life, August 2022

Making Their Mark in Denmark (our dressage team) – Equestrian Life, August 2022

Para Nationals Set the Pace For Herning – Equestrian Life, May 2022

Bring on the Horsepower – Equestrian Life, March 2022

Zidane – Motivator, Fighter, Legend, Best Friend – Equestrian Life, December 2021

Pathways to Boosting Paras’ Horsepower – Equestrian Life, November 2021

Para Equestrian Fab Four Win Hearts at Tokyo – Equestrian Life, September 2021