Hi there!
October was a saga with a triumphant finish. Mason and I finished as the Grade II first place pair in the team, individual, and freestyle tests at the Adequan/USEF Para Dressage National Championship. What an incredible experience! I’m still processing all we had to accomplish to make this goal a reality. 

Two of the judges were Tokyo Paralympics judges, one of whom was the head judge. Kristi Wysocki was the third judge and also the one we rode in front of in May at the Morven Park show. She was the one who recommended we ride these higher-level tests and set our course in motion for this Championship. It was special to be able to ride in front of her again this year.
We represented the underdog/up-and-comer crowd by learning lessons. Many of the para rules hinge on safety and seem to have some variation on interpretation. On Sunday, our third day of showing, the technical delegates who oversee the warm-up and show ring for compliance with the rules, decided I needed to have different stirrups for safety. That meant obtaining new equipment with less than 45 minutes to my ride time. Lauren, my coach, is good friends with my hero, Rebecca Hart (a member of the US Paradressage bronze medal team). Becca lent me her stirrups! Her stirrups from her Paralympic horse, Tex’s, saddle. I got to compete my freestyle with Becca’s good juju! I came away from the show with a different plan to document my equipment modifications so there are less last minute adjustments. The moral of our story, though, was Lauren was unflappable. Mason was mostly unflappable, and I held it together when it was important. 
At the end of the day, I got to show my wonderful horse at the beautiful Tryon International Equestrian Center and it was incredible. Last weekend, Lauren wore so many hats: trainer, groom, friend, therapist, and miracle worker. Over the last year, she made so much of this journey possible between finding Mason, training us both, and guiding me in this new world of high performance dressage. She has connected me with so many wonderful people, businesses, and products that were instrumental in our success this year. I cannot thank her enough!

Thank you to ALL of you who supported Mason and me this year. It’s been a team effort and I am so grateful to be on this journey with you. Being in the saddle makes me feel strong, beautiful, and capable. It helps my body work and my mind cope. My heart is in the show ring. Without your support, none of it is possible. A million thank you's!
It’s grant application, planning, rest, and recovery season. My van with the scooter lift on the back was rear-ended in early October. The lift still hasn’t been replaced due to manufacturing delays. It’s supposed to ship any day and I can’t wait to be fully independent again! I have a new movement disorder doctor. I’m hoping to improve the way my body is working to help my riding. I am also working on fundraising events for the spring. (I’d love your thoughts and help, if you’re interested.) The search for horse sponsors is ongoing. Find some information about it here. I'm keeping my eyes on the sky. Can't wait to see what's next!
Thank you to all my wonderful sponsors, donors, and supporters!
Here are our rides at Nationals. Enjoy!
FEI Gr II Team Test
FEI Gr II Individual Test
FEI Gr II Freestyle
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