Stella Barton has been on the radar for a position on an Australian Para Dressage team for many years. She has now been picked for Paris and will fulfil a dream to grace the grounds of the Palace of Versailles.
Stella Barton started riding at the age of seven when her mother Sarah thought it may be a good idea to try horse riding at the police stables in South Melbourne, where the Riding for the Disabled Association centre was in those days. Stella, who was born with cerebral palsy (CP), had many therapies growing up to help improve her strength and coordination. Horse riding was one of them and also an interest for young Stella; there was no thought of competition.
“For Stella, it gave her an
avenue to also meet people
and have another interest.”
Stella’s CP affects all four of her limbs where the finer motor skills are far from totally controllable. To see Stella walking in such an uncoordinated way makes you wonder how she could control a horse and balance in the saddle – yet it is simply amazing to see her astride a horse. Stella manages to walk around at home, where she lives with her parents, Sarah and Geoffrey and her brother Curtis. She uses a wheelchair whenever she’s out in the community.
“When seeing Stella first on a horse her lack of body control saw her all over the place and her head was so wobbly I thought it might fall off,” her mother Sarah recalls of Stella’s initiation to riding. “She had someone leading the horse plus two side walkers – one on either side. It was a bit of a scary sight, but for Stella, it gave her an avenue to also meet new people and have another interest.”
Stella has now been riding for 18 years but there’s been plenty of ups and downs. Now, she has been selected for the Paris Paralympics. As mum Sarah recalls, she almost gave it up but for a fortuitous meeting.
CHANCE ENCOUNTER
“Stella got to a stage where she had had enough of the basic riding that was offered via the RDA program. I picked her up after school one day and she said she didn’t want to go riding. I convinced her to do one more session so she could say goodbye to all her friends and helpers. It just so happened that Mary Longden (para equestrian coach and judge) was there that day coaching the coaches. On seeing Stella ride, she asked why she was not training towards the Paralympics – and all of a sudden, a door opened for Stella that reignited her interest.”
Mary set up a meeting with Sally Francis, who had been present at Stella’s first ride, and also at some of the RDA camps she had attended. Stella started riding and training with Sally on her horses, of which Mossie and Coriander were her favourites. She had competed at the state RDA games on a palomino, Charm, but RDA was not really focused on the skills associated with riding dressage and Stella wanted more. Being very intelligent and always pushing herself to be better, the training and skills required to ride a dressage test intrigued Stella both mentally and physically and they progressed quite quickly.
Mossie was the first horse she competed on at a para competition at Boneo Park. They didn’t manage to get to one of the CPEDI (FEI international para competition) meetings, as at the time they were only held every second year. Stella was serious, however, and bought the gelding Cabaret, who unfortunately quickly became quite spooky and his response was to run away. After falling off six times, Stella decided it was time to move him on.
Stella could well have given it all away at that stage but regrouping, she returned to Sally’s where she spent the next two years regaining her confidence. Retiring Grand Prix gelding Rubenesque was given to Stella by Shaun France from NSW, and they did get an 68.8%, her then PB. Unfortunately after six months he was retired, but what a fabulous horse and what a fabulous gesture by Shaun France. Then it was on to the lovely mare Falcon Disco Hit, by Royal Hit, who was purchased by Stella and they competed successfully at the CPEDIs, scoring up to 67.8%. The mare, however, was a little lazy and slow to get the better marks. Stella still rides Disco at Tooradin and hopes to possibly breed from her in the future.
Stella then went to Hartpury in England to compete on a borrowed horse. Sharon Jarvis, an Australian Paralympian who was also at the show competing, spotted Stella and admired her empathy and work ethic. Sharon had a beautiful stallion named Lord Lamarque (German bred by the Hanoverian stallion Locksley II, out of Veroska, a mare by Anglo Arab stallion Veritas) at home in WA that she had been training for owner Jade Moody for some time, but for Sharon he was a little too laid-back for Olympic selection at her Grade IV level and so she asked Stella to go over to WA and see if he would suit her instead.
A PERFECT MATCH
There was no question that they were a match made in heaven; with a fabulous walk, lovely outlook and attitude, it has all been seriously successful since taking over the reins. Of course, Sharon has done a great job with ‘Bug’ and he is light to ride in the bridle and sensitive to Stella, yet totally calm and obedient. He is a stallion and on the ground can be a little opinionated. The odd nip keeps everyone on their toes! But once it’s time to be mounted, Bug stands as steady as a rock as it takes a few people get Stella aboard. He is then super cool and knows what he has to do and knows that everyone is looking at him as he has an amazing aura and exudes expression and presence with a willingness that melts your heart.
September 2023 was Stella’s first competition on Bug at the WA State championships. Being only their third ride together, the first test was a bit wild as he has a huge walk and is very free. The second was a whole lot better and with a half-halt and collection they scored into the 70% range. It was then full steam ahead and a campaign and strategy began for the Paralympics in Paris less than 12 months away.
The next milestone was in October, where Sharon took Bug to the Nationals for Stella, and then in January Stella flew back to Perth to train. Training in WA was a special time and a big highlight was riding on the beach and the amazing feeling of freedom that she experienced. It was a very special time in Stella’s career and a serious time to bond and appreciate what an amazing stallion Bug was. He came over to Willinga Park to compete in February 2024 and the training and competing has continued ever since.
“Having a great interest in
history, she is so excited to
be competing at Versailles.”
He is now based and trained at Bimbadeen Park with Shenae Lowings. He has always been trained by Sharon but in the lead up to selection, Sharon has been in England competing also for selection, so it was Shenae who has been training and riding as well with Stella.
Stella rides in groups of three days at a time, riding twice each day. In between those times she rides at Sally’s property where Sally is a great help and mentor. This is also done in three-day sessions as Stella lives in the city, so intense concentrated days are best for them. As a Grade I rider it’s really individual and this system works best for Stella and her team. Bug isn’t one that likes to repeat things over and over, so his training is short and to the point, and when it comes to riding movements and practicing things over and over, Stella rides her own mare Disco and some of Sally’s horses.
Stella exercises off the horses a lot and practices on an iGallop machine that simulates a riding workout. There is also gym once a week and around the house she stays mobile by walking. There is no end to Stella’s will to succeed and she loves nothing better than a challenge. Stella has completed a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Sociology, and was invited to do a Master’s but respectfully declined. She is no slouch when it comes to uni work!
Paris was her target and that was that!
Having a great interest in history she is so excited to be competing at Versailles. This ability to ride, and especially now with Bug, is not a dream; it’s a reality and one that Stella realises has taken so many years to get the strength, coordination, confidence, balance and skills to ride such a big moving horse through this tricky test.
FOCUS & CONCENTRATION
On chatting to Stella about where her ability comes from, she believes it’s her focus and concentration on keeping everything contained. Core stability and using her eyes and head control to look in the direction of travel is so important in the turning of Bug, and then the reins help with the change of frame. But Stella says that this body/head and neck positioning that is initiated from her visualisation of where she is going is what positions her whole body and the balance. This creates the bend and flexion that they exhibit so wonderfully.
She also realises the importance of her pelvis. With Bug, who is a big mover, she needs to keep her pelvis loose to absorb the movement and not let her muscles and body become wobbly. This takes huge mental concentration.
Stella is one focused athlete, and her powers of concentration and composure are simply amazing. Even in the final selection trial test, the judge rang the bell on her, even though there was not an error. She was not fazed and as an internationally experienced rider she continued and gained a score in the mid-70s as if nothing had gone wrong. The power of her internal fortitude and concentration and ability to ride is amazing. She has a will and a belief in herself, her ability, and in her horse that is incredible. As Stella says, it has come with many, many years of diligent practice and many ups and downs.
Stella and Sarah visited Versailles some years ago as Stella has a keen interest in its history. When they heard the Paralympics were to be held there they threw themselves into giving it their best shot. Now, Stella will return as a Paralympian.
Let’s hear it straight from Stella.
EQL: What has been the highlight of your competition success as far?
Stella: One highlight was competing at Hartpury in England last year. This was my first overseas competition and it was such a big adventure. I borrowed an English horse and made so many new friends and connections through this experience. I had so much fun competing and felt so proud to be representing my country. Although my results were not what we had hoped for at this competition, this experience really brought me other opportunities, including the ride on Bug as I was teammates with Sharon Jarvis who saw me ride and suggested that I ride him.
EQL: Which of all the horses you have ridden is your favourite?
Stella: No doubt my favourite horse is my own horse, Disco. She has been with me for a few years now and we competed together for around two to three years, and even though she didn’t quite make it through this campaign, I still have her and we have such a strong connection and I just adore her. When I go to see her, she will come up to me for a snuggle and she loves being pampered and being the centre of attention – in a nice way. She is just really kind and loving and I feel very happy when I’m with her.
I do also love riding Bug, but he can be a little trickier on the ground. When I’m riding him I feel a really strong connection and in the saddle I feel safe. He really listens to me and we are just great as a team, but on the ground, being a stallion makes him a little more difficult to handle and he will take a bite at me if he gets the chance. I’m not so quick at getting out of the way if he decides to take a nip at me!
“When I’m riding
him I feel a really
strong connection.”
EQL: With Bug, what is the most difficult part of your test?
Stella: The most difficult part is… there’s a lot! Keeping him in the correct frame throughout the test. Another difficult thing is me physically being able to cope with his very forward moving walk and maintaining the rhythm with my body while also accurately completing the different movements that are in my test.
EQL: Do you get nervous before big competitions and if so, what do you do about putting your head in the right place?
Stella: I do get nervous before big competitions and even though my tests are called, I find visualising my tests and what I have to do in each movement can be really helpful. I also have a really great team around me who help me with my nerves; sometimes something really simple like having a laugh with my groom or my coach can really help with my preparation or the aftermath of a test.
EQL: How do you mentally cope with your body not doing exactly as you want to do? Does this frustrate you and how do you get over this frustration?
Stella: My body has always been as it is so I don’t really get as frustrated as people might imagine. Certainly riding at this level is challenging but I enjoy the challenge of learning to do something really well. I’m really proud of who I am as a disabled person and what I’ve been able to achieve.
“I’m really proud of who I am
as a disabled person and what
I’ve been able to achieve.”
EQL: For you, what is the most exciting thing about riding?
Stella: The most exciting thing is doing something where I am completely physically independent and I have control over where I am going and what I am doing. Yes, I do have a commander calling my test, but in a physical sense I am doing everything on my own. Also, dressage really caters to my desire for neatness which is something that isn’t a natural partner with CP. Being able to do something really well and completely by myself feels really liberating and makes me very happy.
To see Stella ride, and especially with Bug in competition, is uplifting, humbling and actually exhilarating. For Stella on the inside has every attribute of one of the best riders in the world, with a true understanding of everything dressage.
What can you say but what an athlete, what a rider and what a sportswoman. That’s Stella Barton, a woman on a mission who keeps life, competing, career and riding very much in order. A true dressage rider with passion and incredible ability. EQ
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:
Stella & Bug Seize the Moment – Equestrian Life, November 2023.
