Congratulations to Australia's First WEG Medallist - Bronze for Para-Equestrian Sharon Jarvis

Congratulations to Australia's first 2010 World Equestrian Games Medallist - Sharon Jarvis and Applewood Odorado - Bronze in the Grade III Individual Championship Para Dressage Test
Photograph & Story: Nicole Turner/Equestrian Australia

Elated Para-Equestrian, Sharon Jarvis, has placed Australia onto the medal tally board, by wining our first medal at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

[COLOR=windowtext]Sharon and her 14-year-old gelding Applewood Odorado (Odie) won the Bronze medal in the Grade III Individual Championship para dressage test.
[COLOR=windowtext]“I don’t really know how to describe the feeling, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, I am ecstatic,” commented Sharon after the scores were announced.
[COLOR=windowtext]It has been a long road to the podium for Sharon and Odie who travelled over 26,000km from their home in Donnybrook, Western Australia, to compete in these World Championships.

[COLOR=windowtext]“I left home and went to the Hunter Valley in NSW to train with Rozzie Ryan for 6 months. That was invaluable in preparing me for this event. I have been living in a caravan smaller than a horse trailer and it leaks so I covered it with a tarp to stop the rain coming in,” laughed Sharon.

[COLOR=windowtext]31-year-old Sharon placed 4^th at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games where she gained valuable experience that helped her to perform well at these Games.
[COLOR=windowtext]“I learnt a lot about being on a team. It prepared me well. I came here with a job in mind and just set about doing that job, and that was to hopefully win a medal.”
[COLOR=windowtext]“It has been absolutely fantastic to be on this team,” she added.

[COLOR=windowtext]An ambitious Jarvis plans to spend time in Europe next year to train with Australia Dressage Team member Hayley Beresford. “I want to ride in open Grand Prix, that is my goal,” said Jarvis, who as a child had rare form of bone cancer which has left her with limited movement and strength from the waist down.

[COLOR=windowtext]Sharon rides and trains horses full time at her family farm in Western Australia. “I gave up my business to prepare for this event, which has been a financial strain,” she said, “But it is worth it, this is what I love to do.”

[COLOR=windowtext]After this event Sharon will go home and save money for her European trip. She plans to continue her career and “to win many more medals for Australia.”
[COLOR=windowtext]Jarvis has one more competition at these World Championships. She will ride in the Individual Freestyle on Friday 8 October.

[COLOR=windowtext]“I will absolutely go for it,” said Sharon regarding her plan for the Freestyle.

[COLOR=windowtext]Equestrian Australia thanks the Australian Paralympic Committee for their support of the Para-Equestrian Athletes at the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games.