Hello my name is Ella and I am a Grade 3 Para equestrian rider currently based in Melbourne, Victoria. I relocated from Sydney, where my family lives, to Melbourne in early 2023 to train with Julia Battams and pursue my horse riding goals.

In 2017, at the age of 14, I suffered a dense stroke which left me unable to move, talk or swallow food. After 4 months of intensive hospital rehabilitation, I relearned how to do simple everyday tasks again, such as walking and talking. However, I was unable to regain all lost functions and have limited use of my right arm and hand and I have a limp when I walk.  

Prior to my stroke I was a horse rider and during my recovery and rehabilitation, I was motivated and driven by the desire to ride again and reconnect with horses. I was fortunate that my family was able to make this happen for me and sacrificed so much to give me the opportunity to ride again. Horses have brought so much joy and happiness to my life, but more importantly it has provided me with a sense of purpose, which I lost after the stroke, and a new dream to chase which motivates me to get up and show up each day.

My fundraising campaign will assist with the cost associated with horse riding and attendance at CPEDI events (International; Para-Equestrian Dressage) which cost between $5000 and $8000 each event.

Any contribution to this page is tax-deductible and will only be used towards my horse riding endeavors and CPEDI events.