MVP Winner
Judi Island
Paralympic Dressage

From the first time I watched Christilot Boylen perform a 'KUR' (dressage to music) at the 1986 World Championship, I had dreamed of doing a KUR with my horse Gitano. Every weekend I would ride Gitano, a Lippizan, with my sister Marijane and her Advanced Level event horse Oliver, at our parent's farm.

My life changed forever in January '93, when our vehicle lost control on 'black ice'. I sustained a C-3 spinal cord injury -- incomplete quadriplegia -- and was initially totally paralyzed below the neck. I entered an intensive rehab therapy program at Lyndhurst Hospital for one year, to learn how to cope in an electric wheelchair. I asked my Mother to sell Gitano, as I was certain there was no way I would ever ride again.

One-day at the rehab hospital, my doctor was discussing my long-term goals, when she noticed the photo of Gitano, my horse, tacked up next to my bed and suggested I try 'Therapeutic Riding'. After my release from hospital, I went to Sunrise Therapeutic Riding Center in Guelph. I had my doubts, as I could barely lift 2lbs. with my arms. Riding was difficult dealing with the physical restrictions as well as the fear of re-injury. For the first summer I rode with a leader and two side walkers. Riding made me very tired, though it was exercising my body in a way that was not possible for me to do on my own.

The next summer I began to notice an improvement in my balance, strength and endurance. After two years of riding, I was finally 'let off the lead rope' at a walk and would try to trot for very short distances 'on the lead'. It was easier to push myself to new strength and endurance limits as I gained confidence and with the help of my coach, Inga Hamilton, who helped me learn how to compensate for my limitations. I really enjoy the challenges of Dressage.

My doctors are quite amazed at the progress that I have made and continue to make. I continue to gain strength and my balance, spasm and endurance have improved so much that I now very rarely need to use a wheelchair.

My Mom didn't sell Gitano, for 9 years she looked after him and nobody rode him. In 2001, I felt strong enough to try to ride 'Gitano' again. He was so much more responsive and sensitive to ride than the therapy horses. At first he moved away from my leg when it went into spasm but he quickly learned to tell the difference between leg commands and spasms. I was amazed at how well behaved and accepting he was of my disability. I learned to 'listen' to him when he wasn't going 'right', I knew I had to make corrections. My riding improved quickly as we began to adjust to each other. I have been truly amazed at the talent and empathetic abilities of the horse to respond to me as a disabled rider.

In 2002, Gitano and I competed for the first time, achieving the top score of 83.7% in the National PEC Video KUR Competition. We also won the 2002 Caledon CADORA Championships in both the IPEC & IPEC KUR and 4th -Laurie Wood Trophy (an able-bodied Kur award).

Gitano helped me qualify for the Canadian Paralympic Equestrian Team, he has also given me the confidence to go on to compete successfully at International competitions. In the last 2 years I have competed in 3 International competitions, including the USA and Portugal, bringing home 2 Gold, 2 Silver and a Bronze medal.
This year, Gitano and I plan to compete at 3 national qualifying competitions including the 'CanTRA Canadian National -East Div.' Competition. My goal is to compete for Canada at the Belgium 2003 World Championships and the Paralympics in Greece 2004.

I am not able to drive or work around the horse ie. grooming, tack-up, trailering etc. and require 2 or 3 people to help me to mount and dismount. In additional to 'regular' show expenses, I need attendants and a coach to accompany me to competitions.

Gitano and I have been featured in magazine and newspaper articles, on 'Animal Miracles' TV show and my doctors use my story as a way to encourage others with disabilities to reach for their own goals. I am very grateful to Nike and CAAWS for the MPV Grant which will help offset the additional costs for me as a severely disabled rider to compete, so that I can continue to fulfill my dream and by doing so, encourage others to fulfill their dreams.

For more information about Judi and the Canadian Paralympic Dressage Team visit: www.jiparalympicdressage.ca