MY BACKGROUND

My life and career have been dedicated to the sport that I love. Dressage.

I have successfully competed internationally throughout my career at Grand Prix level. It is my passion.

In the year 2000, I had a significant fall from a horse resulting in a serious injury. My ankle was shattered. This incident left me with a fused ankle following surgery with compromised range of movement, less than 15%. I underwent over 20 surgeries on my ankle. The rehabilitation and recovery of this injury were long and tumultuous, although, I never gave up the hope of getting back in the saddle.

In 2016, I was classified as a Grade V Para Equestrian Rider. After successfully qualifying my mare First Famous (Firegirl), I was offered the opportunity to represent Australia at the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where it was an honour to have finished fourth, just off the podium, three times!

Three years later, I was seriously injured for a second time. During training, my horse tripped and fell, landing on top of me. I sustained multiple fractures to my pelvis, pubic bone and spine. I underwent two surgeries to reconstruct my crushed pelvis. Incredibly, the surgeons were able to piece me back together. My pelvis is now supported by steel plates across my sacrum, spine and pelvis. After countless hours of therapy, I returned to elite level Dressage competition once again.

In 2022, I was selected as a part of the Australian Para Equestrian Team at the World Equestrian Games in Denmark on my home-bred mare Juicy Wiggle (Hallow) where we both felt at home on the international stage placing in the top 10.

WHY DONATE?

After so many setbacks along the way, it is a huge achievement to be selected to represent Australia at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris onboard my beloved horse Vilaggio (Villy) .

I’m asking you to support me in my endeavours to become the first Grade V Australian Para- Equestrian rider to have a podium finish at the Paris Paralympics. It would be an honour to represent Australia once again on the World Stage!

My community family is of huge importance to me. As an advocate for giving back to our sport and community, over the years, I have supported my community by dedicating my expertise to the Australian Stock horse Society and was instrumental raising much needed funds for those affected by the devastating 2017 "Sir Ivan" Merriwa fires and 2019 Taree fires.

Your contribution will help me achieve my goal as an Australian Para Equestrian Athlete.

My horse and I fly out for training in Europe in the second week of July! It is not long now.

Any donations are greatly appreciated. I am so excited to share my journey with you!

Thank you for your support.

Lisa Martin.