When cancer left me disabled after 17 rounds of chemo and major surgeries, it was my partner, best friend and trusty steed Rikaardt H, as well as my local community that helped me rebuild my life.

We made the Australian High Performance Para Dressage Squad in 2025, and we’re hoping to take a bit of Aussie spirit to the international stage! 🇦🇺

We have only been riding dressage for 3 years whilst still recovering, and managed astronomical achievements I'd never dreamed of.

Our first outing Grade 5 GP at Boneo in November resulted in us achieving an FEI Grade 5 World ranking of #45

Our next hurdle was Willinga (Bawley Point) CPEDI World Qualifier February 2026 – One of 4 crucial qualifiers for World Equestrian Games and the Paralympics in 2028.

We managed to win both our international 2* tests and qualify for the freestyle which resulted in us taking away the 2026 2* Championship.

As a mum working multiple jobs on the equivalent of minimum wage (often swapping time or effort for lessons, feed, hay and paddock) to chase this dream, I’m reaching out to fellow Aussies for support with the entries, travel and stabling for my boy. (I sleep in my 26yr old Ranch float at all events, which is actually quite comfortable, and allows me to be near the stables, so my own accomodation is fine)

A little bit of background, Rikaardt H came to me as a rising 3 yr old, rather ugly and gangly baby Friesian. Since then we have had many adventures together, finding where we enjoyed ourselves best. We trail ride, jump, swim in dams, try working equitation, chase cattle, run on the beach, play chase the ball in the arena, and he often takes both my daughter and I out together with her sitting behind the saddle with me in the national parks.

I backed Rik entirely on my own, and have produced him to international level without any assistance, other than the occasional lesson I manage to get.

When I fell ill with an abdominal sarcoma (and subsequent amputation of my abdominal core muscle wall) and then again a year later with breast cancer during Covid (with bilateral mastectomy) together with the assocoiated chemotherapy effects. I was very lost, but had my Rik to keep me going both mentally and physically.

I decided that I was not going to be a victim, so Rik and I began our Para Equestrian journey, riding our first baby dressage test in August 2022. Since then we gained our EA Para Classification and then winning our first 2* FEI International Event in 2024 whilst gaining our FEI Grade 5 Para Classification.

Rikaardt H proudly wears his Friesian feather and flys the flag admirably, not only for the breed itself, but for the those who dare to be different.

Anything would be greatly appreciated, I'm not one who ever asks for help to be honest, and this has been a journey too, learning that sometimes.. as I love helping others, there are those out there who actually want to help me as well. Thank you so much for reading this far, and I look forward to sharing our journey.

Every donation of $2 or more through the Australian Sports Foundation is tax-deductible and helps prove that when Australians back each other, amazing things happen.

Together, we’ll show the world that “The little person can do it too.”

If you would like to know more about our journey and adventures you can follow our social media link -

Link in bio to join our journey! #MatesHelpingMates #AussieSpirit #ParaEquestrian