Melbourne-based para equestrian dressage rider, Maddison Cooke has the exciting opportunity to try out for The Paralympic Games 2024!

Maddison was born with cerebral palsy.

Yet she loves and excels at working with a horse. She competed in Taiwan in 2012 in the Hope Cup at the young age of 12. Competing internationally gave her a valuable learning experience to grow her riding abilities.

She was fortunate to win the team, individual and the freestyle at this event. 

Maddison also competed in two National Special Olympics teams, representing Team Victoria, where she was successful winning three gold medals, a silver, and a bronze. 

“Being able to go to Paris would mean the absolute world to me, as I was never meant to walk or talk, so to be already long-listed for Paris in such fabulous company, I feel honoured. As Walt Disney said: ‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them’,” Maddison said.

To help her achieve this goal, we are pledging to raise $15,000 that will go toward local and interstate qualifiers (costing up to $8,000 depending on location), and monthly or bi-monthly ($600) competitions to train under competition circumstances.

If selected for Paris, Maddison will ride Byalee Magic 2 (Raffy) who was purchased three years ago from friends bred in Australia. He’s competed in special Olympic competition and Equestrian Victoria with Maddison, being awarded two silver merit awards in dressage (2022 and 2023) and also Para Equestrian, 2022.

BACKGROUND

Maddison first started riding when she was 3-years-old, as she had difficulties with her balance and walking. She enjoyed riding around her family property and out on trails with her trusted pony, Monty. 

At the age of 6 she joined Pony Club. She is currently still a member of Pony Club Victoria. Maddison became a member of Equestrian Victoria during her schooling years, successfully competing at Interschools competitions.

Maddison started with Riding for Disabled Association of Victoria when she was 9 and competed in Riding for Disabled State Championships and Annual Show days. These experiences gave her opportunities to hone her skills, learning all the time.

She was fortunate to travel to Taiwan in 2012 with a team of riders from RDA Australia to compete in the Hope Cup. The Hope Cup provides an international competition for riders with physical and intellectual disabilities from Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region.

Maddison then streamlined her focus to para equestrian dressage and joined the Victorian Young Rider Dressage squad and has been working towards her para equestrian goals ever since.

HIGHLIGHTS

●       awarded Best Achievement by a rider aged 18 -25 for Pony Club Victoria 2019

●       Being named on The Equestrian Australia Para Equestrian High Performance Green Squad (Podium Ready, Podium Potential)

●       Hope Cup, 2012, Taiwan, placing first in team, Individual and Freestyle tests 2

●       Melbourne Dressage Festival 2022 Para Equestrian Grade 2 Champion

●       Leader Para Nationals 2022 Para Equestrian Grade 2 Champion

●       CDI Lite Sydney International Equestrian Centre Para Equestrian Grade 2 Champion

●       Short Listed for WEG Denmark

●       Victorian Para equestrian of the year 2022

●       Promoted to A squad on the Victorian Young Rider squad

FUTURE GOALS

•          Compete at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games for Australia

•          Continue to work in harmony with her equine partner, Byalee Magic 2 (aka Raffy)

•          Be a Mentor for riders starting on their equestrian journey.

We kindly call on your generosity and help us bring Maddison’s paralympic dreams to life!