I’m louise hacker

I had a great time at arena uk my new horse benfited great from it

I’m a para rider grade 3 rider
My right leg is complete damaged and still broke from an eventing accident back in 1991 and recently lost my middle left finger from an lunging incident I jump able bodied showjumping aswell upto 120 mtrs I hope this is ok

I’ve had horses all my life. Went to De Montfort University where I did Equine studies. after graduating i then trained to be an accountant

I’ve always show jumped and had an unfortunate accident in 2010 where my ring got caught in a rug strap. The horse bolted dragging me around 3 acres of field. I was finally freed from the back of the horse but realised the only reason being is that my finger had been pulled off to the knuckle causing severe nerve damage in my left arm and twisting my spine. I was black and blue from head to toe and loosing an awful lot if blood, being at the yard on my own quickly pulled myself together and ran 3 miles to get help from a passing motorcyclist who i am still yet to find to say thank you, his quick actions saved me.  I had already suffered a fractured vertebrae in my back at the age of 13  whilst show jumping on one of my ponies and having a serious fall I  was also just in the first year of recovering from Thyroid cancer at this point too

When I was finally okay to get back in the saddle, I went for a training session with Selina Cawkwell who could see a noticeable difference in my balance and strength since the accident, which is how i discovered para showjumping

I am registered with Middleton Park at leeds who were really helpful in sorting out my grading with a physiotherapist. I still jump with British Showjumping against able bodied riders and was lucky enough to be selected to represent GB para show jumpers at La Baule last year. I have an amazing mare Avalon Mill (aka Betty) who has been my partner for the last twelve months.  I have an 8 year gelding Hilton R currently in training who will hopefully be seen out and about soon aswell as a mare, Conischa who I bought as a 4 year old and had an unfortunate field accident and broke her leg. I did everything in my power to save this mare, who is ready to come back into work this season after breeding me a lovely foal

I am happy to have met Emma at Hartpury last year and I am grateful for the opportunity and training  she provided at arena UK a couple of weeks ago. I work extremely hard with my horses even though sometimes it can prove to be a struggle with the pain side of things, I am on an awful lot of medication for both NY nerve damage and my thyroid. I train with Selina every week who is another person who I owe a big thank you to, she really has given me the confidence to carry on…..For me the saying blood, sweat and tears really speaks the truth and for my inner strength my horses have pulled me through extremely difficult times

In July 2006 I crashed my motorbike into a HGV. This put me in hospital for a month totally paralysed on my right side, broken arms and ribs. By the time I was aloud home I’d regained use of my leg and was walking. My right arm how ever did not improve. Due to a brachial plexus injury. Surgeon’s tried to fix it with a nerve graft, but after 3 years with no change I asked for it to be amputated.

Before the accident I was working for Jodhpurs riding school. As soon as the pots came off my arms I went back there for a lesson with the lady’s I used to teach. I had a friend on stand by to help lead me. My steering wasn’t great but managed to get over a few small jumps with my friends help. Once I got a car (have to drive an automatic with steering ball) I got involved with the local RDA group. Riding and volunteering. I’m now an RDA coach and county coach for north Yorkshire.

April Last year I brought my own horse Kinclare Lady (Grace at home) a 15.1hh Irish sports type. We enjoy doing lots of different things. Last year we came 3rd at the RDA national competition in the grade 3 dressage and in the Para show jumping. We’ve completed at local one day events.  We’re now concentrating on show jumping and promoting Para show jumping.

I was 28 years old when I crashed. Making it my 10 year anniversary in July. And the loss of my arm has given me more riding opportunities then I ever had with 2 arms.

My name is Ruth Slater and I am 28 years of age. I have been riding since I was 5 years old but unfortunately at the age of 10 I was diagnosed with the progressive condition CMT (a Hereditary, Sensory, Motor, Neuropathy). Symptoms include a tremor, fatigue, neurological pain, muscle spasms, loss of movement in feet, weakness in the hands and it also affects sensation in both lower leg, feet and hands. I depend on splints to walk, which I also ride in. CMT damages the peripheral nerves which then results in muscle weakness.

I have owned my horse Sidney now for 11 years, the first 4 years were really challenging because it took a long time for Sidney to understand the way I ride.  But now when I ride he looks after me in every way possible even when I collapse after riding he will stand and wait till I have managed to pull myself up off the floor. Having Sidney and being able to ride has helped me through really difficult, dark times. Becoming part of the Para team back in 2011 helped me  more than I can put into words. It helped me come to terms with my disability and socialising/talking with friends who understood having a disability and my struggles and upset. Riding in France and across the UK at different events has been more than I ever imagined.

Matthew is a 21 year old Para equestrian Show Jumper based at Scropton Riding for the Disabled Centre in Derbyshire where he has been riding for 15 years.

Matthew rides Garrknock – an 11 year old Irish Sports Horse he has owned for just over a year. In 2015 they rode in all the Para shows, and won their first national title at the Bristish Show Jumping National Para Club Championships at Stoneleigh in August.

Matthew is a Grade II para show jumper, jumping 80cm in competitions. Matthew has many obstacles to overcome to succeed with his riding as he was born with multiple dsabilities. He is a profoundly deaf sign language user, he is autistic, and has a brain development condition that results in significant muscle weakness and co-ordination problems as well as some learning difficulties.

Matthew started riding with RDA when he was 6, with a leader and two sidewalkers. It quickly became clear that riding was the sport for him, and he showed enormous determination to learn new skills and to progress. Despite his disabilities, Matthew story is one of many successes, and he continues to train hard to develop further.

Matthew is a keen ambassador for the sport, and puts social media to good use to promote the para show jumping family. He has strong connections with RDA and helps to promote the sport within the organisation.

Matthew is never happier than when he is in the saddle, and is excited to be a part of the growing success of para show jumping.

I am 11 years old and have right Erb’s Palsy, following a traumatic birth. Erb’s Palsy (also known as Brachial Plexus Paralysis) is a condition which can affect 1 or all of the 5 primary nerves that supply the movement and feeling to an arm. The damaged nerves which may be bruised or ruptured causes partial or complete paralysis. I had a severe injury and no movement in my arm at all. Although some babies affected recover on their own, I have required specialist intervention, including a nerve graft at 13 weeks old and a tendon transfer at 7 years old. My right arm is shorter and weaker than my left and I have a reduced range of movement.

I have always loved being around horses as my family ride. I got my first pony – Annie a Shetland, when I was 4 and have been a keen member of South Wold Hunt (North) Pony Club since then, representing the branch on various teams. I love jumping although I have also competed in dressage and mini one day events. I regularly compete against able bodied children and adults at local shows. I went for my classification assessment when I was 10 and am officially graded III for jumping and IV for dressage. I really enjoyed competing at Scope in my first para competition last year and look forward to this year.

I started riding when I was 8 years old at a local stables.  I never had an opportunity to compete so I became a groom working for Robert Oliver, Ali Fernyhough and Julian Mincher.  I then spent some time living and working in Italy.

In 2012, I was diagnosed with Lupus and lung disease.  I had been ill for 2 years before that but was unfortunately never diagnosed.  These illnesses result in me being confused, having short-term memory loss, co-ordination and balance problems which predominantly affect my right side.  Coupled with that, I have Aspergers and ADHD.

I am currently Grade 1 para-club British Champion which is a great achievement seeing as though last year was my first year!