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Para-Equestrian National Championships

Published on Monday, July 18, 2011 in General
Hannah Dodd,Nicole Blanks, Nikki Doogue, Ines Gegenhuber and Andrew Driffield
(Photo:Free Rein Photography/EA   Story:EA)

The Para-Equestrian National Championship were held over the weekend in conjunction with the Brighton Saddleworld 2011 NSW Young Rider Dressage Championships.

On Saturday Rob OAKLEY from NSW rode the winning test in the 1A on Statford Mantovani scoring 66.667%
Joann FORMOSA (Vic) and Riverview Solitique were the only combination to contest the 1B scoring 59.394%
2010 World Equestrian Games representatives Grace BOWMAN (SA) and Kirby Park Joy won the Grade 2 on an impressive score of 73.016%.
Grade 3 was a close competition won by Victoria’s Anne SKINNER on Aubains Cossack with 67.901%
Saturday was great day for young Hannah DODD (NSW) who was first and second in the largest class of the day - the Grade 4. She won riding aboard Lucifer's Dream (66.198%) and was second on Nova Carbon (63.646%). This was 6 year old Nova Carbon's first Para-Equestrian competition.
It is a bittersweet week for 19 year-old Hannah Dodd from Arcadia.  This will be Hannah’s last competition on Lucifer’s Dream aka ‘Luce’, the thoroughbred gelding she has ridden for the past seven years taking him from Novice level to Prix St Georges.
“It is a really sad time,” said Phyllis. Luce has been sold overseas and leaves next week. Luce has been a fabulous horse however he is getting older and not up to the top international standard required at an Paralympic competition.
On the bright side Hannah has been bought a new horse from New Zealand. Tori MacBeath of Durham Park stables in Arcadia has sponsored the purchase.
“We are really excited,” said Phyllis, “He is a Prix St Georges horse and we think he has what it takes to be an international horse for Hannah.”
Hannah will have to work hard to firstly qualify and then to be selected for the London 2012 Paralympic Games on her new mount, despite continued physical challenges.
“It is her dream,” said Hannah’s mother Phyllis. “Hannah decided at 8 years of age that she wanted to ride for Australia, it has been her life goal and we will keep pursuing it as long as she is able.”
Hannah was born with sacral agenesis, a rare congenital disorder in which there is abnormal fetal development of the lower spine. Her lower right leg was facing backwards at birth and many of her internal organs were affected. Most of her renal system has been rebuilt. Last December Hannah was diagnosed with Dystonia is a neurological movement disorder which causes her suffer attacks of severe cramping and to lose power in her hands. The medication for the Dystonia is causing Hannah to lose her sight. In addition, Hannah recently got out of hospital after suffering ‘another’ Kidney infection.
“Riding definitely takes its toll,” said Phyllis. “She pushes herself hard and physically and she suffers the consequences but she loves riding and it is her life so we keep going.”

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