Often people feel left out of the mainstream sporting world for many varied reasons, possibly due to physical, mental, age related, lifestyle or heritage differences.

Dressage is a sport where these restrictions do not apply as people with various challenges, people of school age and above, and people of all cultures are welcomed and can compete all the way to the Olympic Games.

Pictured is Travis Newman – one of two young persons with challenges who regularly compete at the Leeton District Dressage Club.  More information is available about Travis on Google; Search for "Aspiring Paralympian – Travis Newman". Below are his mother's words. 

“My son Travis is a cancer survivor, he was diagnosed with bone cancer (Ewing’s Sarcoma) in 2017. Unfortunately, even though he survived the cancer he was left with a permanent disabling in his left leg. He also suffers from anxiety, depression and PTSD. Travis cannot play a lot of sport but he can ride and he loves to ride.

Riding his horse Penny has helped with his depression. Travis was very nervous when he competed in his first dressage competition. This was the Leeton and District Dressage Clubs Christmas competition and also my first competition as a mum. The club members where amazing and very helpful. Travis felt safe in an environment that he knew with people that he knew helping him getting ready for his tests.

Travis is still too anxious to travel and compete in unfamiliar places, so having a local club where he can comfortably compete is vital for him at this stage. I am hoping he can build up his confidence competing locally to enable him to eventually compete in other places.

The members of the Leeton and District Dressage Club have been very supportive of Travis. They understand the difficulties that Travis faces and have been willing to work with us to be able to allow him to ride and compete safely."

Linda Newman

The above is one example of many people, who once becoming involved with the club as a competitor or volunteer have benefited in a variety of ways, including helping give them improved physical, mental and social outcomes and helping to Make their Lives Better. 

Leeton District Dressage Club currently hosts four competitions each year, providing a venue for regional Australians to participate in an inclusive, intergenerational and alternative sport, which contributes both to the Individual’s health and well-being and the enrichment of the local community.