Postcards From the Saddle: Morgan Webb Liddle and Ralphy

Congratulations to Morgan and Ralphy on winning the Team Test and the Individual Championship Test, which gave her the 2013 National Champion title at the RDA National Championships!

Further to our previous article about Grade 1A Para-Equestrian competitor, Morgan Webb Liddle, thank you so much to those who donated funds to help Morgan and her perfect equine match, Don Armani (aka Ralphy,) stay together! Following are the latest updates from Morgan 

The great news is Morgan was able to obtain a short term loan to ensure that Ralphy wasn’t sold to another interested buyer, however, she still needs to raise the funds to be able to keep him and continue his training.  

If you are able to help out with the fundraising, every dollar is greatly appreciated and donations can be made here www.teammorgan.com.au

Update on Morgan and Ralphy at National Dressage Championships and the RDA National Championships

After working very hard with Ralphy since a dream came true and he became hers earlier this year, Morgan did well at  the National Dressage Championships. Even though she didn't have anyone in her section to compete against, her scores were good.

This week was the RDA National Championships, which also includes FEI Para-Equestrian.  Morgan did even better here and won convincingly against tough competition.  Morgan won the Team Test and the Individual Championship Test which gave her the 2013 National Champion title.  She also won the award for the highest PE score of the competition with a personal best of 67.16%. Morgan is pleased with that but thinks she can still do better.

People often comment when they see photos of Morgan on her horse it doesn’t look like there is anything wrong with her.  Attached in a PDF is a quick list of things that Morgan has that help her riding, which might be of interest to those who are unfamiliar with Morgan's challenges. All these measures have to be approved as things that will assist her but not give her an unfair advantage. They are listed on her Para-Equestrian Card which she must have in her pocket at all times at competition.

Morgan is riding in the CPEDI3* in just two weeks, where she will compete against other top competitors. This event is the first qualifier and Nomination Event for the World Equestrian Games in Normandy 2014, so there is a lot at stake.

9 May - Morgan and Ralphy's First Outing Together

Morgan had her first outing with Ralphy on 9 May. They had a great lesson with a young coach from Kyneton, Jason Dins, who was fabulous with them. Morgan was just ecstatic after the lesson as Ralphy went so well for her. Jason was equally impressed with Morgan and Ralphy, saying, "I was given the privilege of giving Morgan and her new partner in crime, Ralphy, a lesson as part of the Macedon Ranges Dressage Club. I last saw Morgan riding 2 years ago and what an improvement I have seen in her riding today. She is a credit to her Coach Charlotte Pederson! Helping Morgan today and seeing the start of a great bond between herself and Ralphy reminds me why I ride Horses. For me it's the unexplained love for an animal. This love shows in Morgans connection with her horses. Thank you Morgan you have inspired me today."

More about Morgan

Despite complex medical problems that would have most of us giving up, Morgan has always been determined to overcome any obstacles. “I don’t let my disabilities get in the way. I have always loved horses and there is a strong bond between us. My relationship with horses is special. I don’t experience the barriers I encounter every day in communication with people and I don’t experience the lack of mobility I deal with every day. When I leave my wheelchair behind and ride I feel like I’m not just the kid that can’t walk or talk anymore and I have a different identity. I become the power, freedom and grace of the horse.”

21 year old Morgan, who lives in Kyneton, Victoria, was born with a very rare metabolic disorder, a Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG).

This affects muscles throughout her body, causing severe physical disability. It also results in many complex medical problems. There are only about 700 known cases of the condition world-wide and the associated medical problems are not well understood.

At present there is no cure but research in this area is progressing. As a result of CDG Morgan has severe ataxia, that is, very little balance, poor coordination and low muscle tone with tremors in her hands plus a number of other medical problems. Her vision and perception are also affected. She is unable to stand or walk independently now.

During Morgan’s teenage years she spent three years immobilised in a metal brace from her hips to under her chin to try to slow progressive spinal problems. Morgan was unable to ride during this time but in January 2010 she returned to riding and within the year started competing in FEI Para-Dressage.

Morgan’s speech is also severely affected and it is difficult for her to speak and respond quickly. She often uses a Lightwriter®, a small text-to-speech device similar to that used by Prof Stephen Hawking, to type what she wants to say but because of the tremors in her hands this can take some time and it makes communicating very difficult. Morgan can speak but it is slow and often difficult to understand.

Long-Term and Short Term Goals

Because her condition is progressing, Morgan wants to achieve all that she can in the time that she is still be able to ride. I missed out on qualifying for the London Paralympics by 0.9% which was very disappointing. The next world championship for Para-Equestrians is the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Normandy 2014 and that is what Morgan is aiming for. "It is less likely that I will still be able to ride by the 2016 Paralympics in Rio," says Morgan, "So I need to put all my time, money and effort into getting an internationally competitive horse for WEG. My own beautiful horse Sienna Tailor Made, who has given me so much success, is now too old to be considered for selection."

"I also need to gain international competition experience. Living in Australia, it is impossible to gain that experience because only one 3* event for Para-Equestrians is run here every two years. So I need to go overseas. Last year my parents contributed and fundraised a total of $12,000 to help me go to a US Paralympic Qualifier in Del Mar, USA. I came home with One 1st and two 2nd places. My goals are therefore to ride in one of the major European competitions in 2013 and compete in the Australian selections for WEG. I really feel that Ralphy is that horse."

Coaches Comments

Charlotte Pederson, an Equestrian Australia Level 2 Dressage Coach and Danish Riding Master, is highly impressed by Morgan. "I have coached Morgan since 2011 in which time she has progressed to being an internationally competitive Para-Equestrian. Morgan is one of the most severely disabled athletes competing at international level in Para-Equestrian and she is working towards selection to represent Australia in the World Equestrian Gamesin Normandy in 2014. Her ability, dedication and hardwork have resulted in her becoming Riding for the Disabled Para-Equestrian Grade 1A National Champion 2012. This talented and inspiring young rider merits the opportunity to compete an international standard dressage horse to take her to the top level of competition in her sport. Morgan and Ralphy make an elegant and competitive team."

Aside from her riding, Morgan is completing her coaching qualifications (Certificate IV Sports Coaching - Equestrian) and writes and presents on Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (CDG) and Para-Equestrian.

Morgan’s Motto

Tell me it can't be done

and I will do it.

Tell me the goal is too high

and I will reach it.

Place an obstacle in front of me

and I will soar over it.

Challenge me, dare me, or even defy me.

But do not underestimate me.

For on the back of my horse

Anything is possible.

ANON

Quick Links

• Visit Morgan's website www.teammorgan.com.au to find out more and help with Morgan's fundraising
• Visit and 'Like' Morgan's Facebook page to show your support

Story: Jo Johnson/Horsezone   Photo: Merell Liddle