Para-Equestrian

Welcome to the DCUK para-equestrian page... a registered para-equestrian trainer, Julie works with a number of para-equestrain riders; her training enables our clients to feel real benefits, challenges, and rewards, whether your disability is  physical, mental  or you have severe to mild learning difficulties.

No matter what your background, I find it extremely rare for even non-riders not be inspired by what our para colleagues achieve.  For many disabled riders, the thought of riding alongside able bodied riders is too bewildering but they, without exception, conquer challenges daily and find it hard to understand how inspirational they are to those around them.  As an insight to what can be achieved, with reality at the fore, we've persuaded one of our star para riders to open the door to our readers, allowing you to see, at first hand, his ambitions and challenges as well as supporting him in his competitive outings.... welcome to Bryan's page!

Update 15 March 2010

Finally, Julie has updated 'Bryan's' page; sorry Bryan, yes, I know its long awaited!  Having trained hard through the winter we're raring to go for the 2010 season.  Julie and Bryan have worked with International Para Judge and Trainer, Chris Porterfield, who was thrilled with Bryan's improvement, in every respect (and yes, we were over the moon with the feedback!).  Rickster is doing extremely well and loving his home just outside of Bourne; he's rightly treated like royalty (not that he milks it of course :-)).  Bryan has continued to push himself and physcially he is so much stronger, although the odd push (where's my apple) from Rickster wasn't part of the plan to help Bryan strengthen and gain better standing balance!

Update 15 August 2009

Bryan is having a wonderful time training at the moment.... having great fun with Rick and his new livery  support team (a huge thanks to the new team for all that they have done).   With renewed vigour, total absence of distractions and an ever present (although at the moment slightly immobile!) Julie, we're aiming for great fun in the coming season!  Mark Fisher has helped immeasurably with the saddle fitting and specialist support for Bryan and the difference is incredible.   Watchout for the updates.... there are great things on the horizon!

	Bryan captured in a rare photograph in early November 08 ... Julie had to be quick with the camera on her phone!  Having completed 2 tests (all from memory, puts us to shame!) Bryan was quietly humble about how well he'd done but his support team were ecstatic!  A top 3 placing in the BD Intro Test.... competing against able bodied riders ... superb result.   Followed in December by a 68% score in the Para Test, such a lovely repayment for all the hard work (and discomfort at times!!).
Dec 08 -  Working with Richard, Bryan personal trainer and physiotherapist and Kareem, one of Bryan's personal assistants, Bryan's strength,control (and connection with Rick - the horse!) has improved immensely in the last couple of week.  Control in the trot is becoming more consistent and the lift and push is really surprising us all ... not least Bryan who is coping amazing well with Rick 'moving him around' so much!
	Nov 08 - Last week (end November) Julie and Bryan worked on lateral work ... before his accident, Bryan was accomplished at lateral work and, 10 years later, was amazed at how quickly - and easily - it came back to him!  Below we've got the halt following Bryan's first few steps of shoulder in, clearly showing Rick working on 3 tracks - well done Bryan!

Need more information on para-equestrianism ... much more available now with British Dressage ... just follow the link below.... http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/para-equestrian/para-equestrian_dressage

For information about the Para Dressage Training Trust, which is involved with regional training and owns horses which are loaned to up-and-coming riders, visit www.pdtt.org .