It’s been a year of ups and downs for Sue-Ellen Lovett; she not only lost her beloved horse, Johno, to a degenerative disease, but has also had to regain her confidence in the saddle. However, always one to focus her mind on the light at the end of the tunnel, she’s continuing on with her equestrian journey.
Sue-Ellen Lovett needs little introduction to the Australian equestrian community. The two-time Paralympian, Grand Prix-level dressage rider and motivational speaker is widely known for her success in the saddle, her charity work — she’s completed an incredible 10 long-distance rides, covering 16,000km and raising a phenomenal $3.2 million — and via her popular social media account and published work that details her adventures with gentle giant Johno.
In the July 2020 issue of Equestrian Life magazine, we caught up with Sue-Ellen to find out about her life growing up, competitive success and fundraising prowess, as well as to chat about her first book, Johno & The Blind Chick – Vision Is More Than Seeing, which detailed how a real-life soul match – her beloved horse Johno – helped her overcome the trials and tribulations of being blind.
Johno (Kinnordy Godolphin), a Hanoverian by the imported stallion Gymnastik Star, entered Sue-Ellen’s life early 2019. Above budget and more than a six-hour drive away, the partnership between this 18.3 hand giant and his “blind chick” very nearly didn’t happen. However, some things in life are just meant to be. “Something really, really magical happened with us riding together,” recalls Sue-Ellen of that first ride. “He did have my back, and he was looking after me.”
Their relationship blossomed despite the odd setback along the way — which included the occasional fall, expertly handled with humour from Sue-Ellen despite the 18.3 hand drop. Through her training with Johno, Sue-Ellen moved towards a more classical approach to dressage and was enjoying lessons with José Mendez, with the plan being to progress the horse from Medium/Advanced level through to Grand Prix. The pair’s journey was shared through the voice of Johno via social media and Sue-Ellen’s first book, inspiring many with their resilience and positive attitude — all delivered with that trademark dose of humour.
By the time Sue-Ellen began thinking about her second book, it was becoming apparent that something wasn’t quite right with her beloved Johno. From when she first purchased him, the gelding had great difficulty backing up, and unbeknownst to Sue-Ellen at the time, it was an indication of Equine Shivers, a chronic neuromuscular disease that is slowly progressive and seen predominantly in the heavy breeds such as Belgian Draught Horses, Warmbloods, and other draught breeds. Eventually, the devastating diagnosis was made as Johno’s symptoms worsened.
Equine Shivers varies from horse to horse; in some it can remain relatively static for the duration of a horse’s life and have minimal impact on their performance (other than perhaps an inability to back up), while for others it can progress to the point where their quality of life is significantly affected. Most cases are in horses over 16.3 hands, with male horses five times more likely to suffer from the disease than females. There is no cure, and treatment is largely about managing symptoms (you can read more about Equine Shivers in the July 2021 issue of Equestrian Life magazine).
JOHNO’S WINGS
In April this year, Sue-Ellen had to make the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to her gentle giant that had given her so much. She describes the massive highs and incredible lows of the two years and two days she spent with Johno as she tried in vain to find something that might help his condition.
“We were always searching for something to help beautiful Johno control his Equine Shivers; we knew we couldn’t fix it, but we hoped to make him comfortable. This wasn’t possible, so our beautiful Johno grew wings and became an angel… he watches down on me on a daily basis and I can still feel his presence and his love. The two years and two days I got to spend with this amazing horse were way too short, but I am sure Johno came into my life for a reason.”
For Sue-Ellen, the thought of a new horse was difficult to grapple with at first — but having spent a lifetime with horses, it was inevitable that eventually she would find another to continue her equestrian journey with. “In my heart I knew this was what Johno wanted me to do and this is what I needed to do to keep moving forward,” says Sue-Ellen, who took the step to begin searching for another horse.
“I had nine really lovely responses from people from the top of Queensland to the bottom of Victoria, and in between also followed up a few horses that people sent through to me that they had seen advertised. Out of the blue, a beautiful message came through from what I can only describe as an angel full of honesty and kindness… in fact I don’t have the words to describe this amazing lady.” Jacinta Ledlan had a 14-year-old black Warmblood mare that she thought might suit Sue-Ellen.
“Lola fitted the bill in every way and the main thing was she was quite sensible and had been there and done that,” says Sue-Ellen, explaining the mare had competed at royal shows, and done dressage, show jumping and eventing. “Not that I was interested in jumping mind you,” she laughs, “But it’s just one of the other amazing things that Lola can do!”
Sue-Ellen explains that Jacinta offered her the mare for the four months leading up to Equitana in July, after which she could make a decision whether to purchase her or not. “Who makes an offer like this… a Medium level horse with no strings attached to have a loan of for four months, to take to a really big gig like Equitana?”
Equitana sadly never happened due to Covid-19 restrictions, however, after four months with beautiful Lola, Sue-Ellen knew she was the right horse. “My wonderful husband Matthew has once again stepped up and bought me another spectacular horse. How very lucky am I to have such a thoughtful and generous husband; once again I will never be able to thank Matthew for what he has done for me with bringing Johno and now the beautiful Lola into my life.
“And dearest Jacinta… from the bottom of my heart thank you for your kindness and generosity. I’m so very, very grateful.”
‘WALK IN MY SHOES’
And so for the past five months or so, Sue-Ellen has been working with the lovely Lola. At first, it took the 62-year-old a little while to regain the confidence she’d lost in the later months working with an often-unpredictable Johno — which Sue-Ellen explains was of course due to symptoms associated with Equine Shivers and through no fault of the horse, who always had a heart of gold.
Over the past few months, Sue-Ellen and Lola’s partnership has gone from strength to strength, and during this time Sue-Ellen has also released her second book, Johno & The Blind Chick – Walk In My Shoes, which continues on from her first book and details the final chapter of her journey with Johno. Ever the avid writer, Sue-Ellen is also working on an autobiography, which she hopes can be released in time for Christmas.
Jacqueline Thompson, Sue-Ellen’s editor and good friend, has worked with her on all written projects thus far. “If you had told me that the person who’d be able to teach me to see, to listen, to enrich my day-to-day life with a joy, a laughter, and an ability to celebrate life… was a Blind Chick, I’d never have believed you,” says Jacqueline in her preface to Johno & The Blind Chick – Walk In My Shoes. “It’s not because the Blind Chick’s eyes don’t work that she sees the world in such colour, it’s because at her core, her vision is way more than seeing. It’s who she is.”
Sue-Ellen’s Johno & The Blind Chick chronicles and her impending autobiography are not all sunshine and roses — she lives with a childhood diagnosis that led to her lack of vision, has beaten cancer during adulthood, and suffered the loss of a beautiful horse to an insidious disease — but anyone who knows her is well aware that she’s not out to garner sympathy. Instead, she encourages us to see the good things in life and have a laugh where we can — even if it’s at her expense when she’s recounting the times she’s become lost in her own backyard or been zapped by an electric fence!
Johno’s recount of being unsaddled at the end of a ride is just one of many examples of Sue-Ellen’s brilliant wit in her latest book:
“It’s like being a Formula 1 car coming into the pits, a veritable pit crew converges on me. Boots off, saddle off, bridle off, I’m washed, rugged and in amongst all this activity the Blind Chickie Babe wanders off in the wrong direction, and has to be called back. But that’s part of the fun I suppose.”
However, in all seriousness this inspirational woman knows from experience that every cloud does have a silver lining; you just have to search for it. During a time when many of us are feeling somewhat sorry for ourselves living in lockdown due to Covid-19, it’s a welcome reminder that despite hardship, there are still many things we can appreciate in life.
In the wise words of Sue-Ellen, “If there isn’t a light at the end of the tunnel you’re looking down, bloody go down and light it yourself!” EQ
‘Johno & The Blind Chick – Walk In My Shoes’ is out now. Sue-Ellen is kindly offering Equestrian Life readers the opportunity to purchase an autographed copy of the book for a special discounted price of $30 + postage. To claim this offer, visit the ‘Johno & The Blind Chick’ Facebook page and send Sue-Ellen a message!
