About Me I was born with Arthrogryposis Multiplex, a rare disorder characterised by fusion of joints and absent muscle formation in my legs. At the age of four I was taught to swim as physiotherapy and I developed a fondness for the sport. I was classified as a disabled swimmer and between 1999 and 2001 I held six Queensland State Games Records and three Australian National Age Records in freestyle and backstroke. When I was seven years old, I started having riding lessons at The McIntyre Pony Riding for the Disabled Centre for physiotherapy. There I fell in love with the horses and discovered a passion for the equestrian sport of dressage. I represented Queensland for the first time at the Riding for the Disabled National Dressage Championships in 1998 and placed 1st in my warm-up test against international riders. Since then I continued to compete as part of the state team at national level for ten consecutive years. I won the National Championships in 2006 on my own horse "Menora Wildfire", and in 2008 on a borrowed horse named "Mellizo", and also achieved the highest score of the competition. In 2006 I was selected to represent Australia at the Pacific Rim Para-Equestrian Dressage International Competition, held at Milner Downs Equestrian Centre in Langley, Canada. Riding a borrowed horse named "Conclusive Talent," I won a bronze medal. I currently have two beautiful horses that were given to me by two very generous families. “Menora Wildfire” is a Morab (Morgan x Arab), paint gelding from Menora Morgan and Morab Stud in Victoria. I first rode him at the 2001 National Championships where we placed 2nd overall in our grade. We regularly compete in open pony dressage competitions against able-bodied riders. My other horse, “Larundel Gelata” is an Australian Warmblood mare from Larundel Warmblood Stud and Equestrian School in Queensland. We came 2nd overall at our first major competition together, the 2009 Para Equestrian International Dressage Championships in Melbourne, Australia. We have also been named on the 2010 National Elite Squad and long-list for the World Equestrian Games. When I am not riding horses, I enjoy other sports including swimming, rowing, sit-skiing, and wheelchair tennis, with the Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association of Queensland. Although my focus is on dressage, I have also been able to compete in other sports and I was Queensland State Adaptive Rowing Champion in 2007. In 2003 I completed my senior certificate, and two Information Technology certificates. I finished top of my class in a TAFE course in Horse Management in 2004. And I graduated from the University of Queensland with a Diploma in Applied Science, Major in Equine Studies in 2008. I am currently studying sports nutrition while I train my horses. My aims for the future are to represent Australia at more international competitions, the World Equestrian Games, and my ultimate dream to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games. I also hope to inspire others to overcome the obstacles in life to realize their own dreams! Read about my story... Nell Arnold the author of the "Out of Australia" Series, is writing my biography. Meet A Champion of Our Hearts...