DONNYBROOK Equestrian Sharon Jarvis has faced some major challenges in the past six months in her quest to compete in the Rio Paralympics in 2016.
“The second half of 2015 presented some challenges for me,” Miss Jarvis said.
“At the end of July I suffered a fracture in my 'bad' leg in my left femur. No I didn't fall off a horse! It actually happened while coaching at Capel Pony Club, I just turned and felt my leg go funny. The doctors decided to leave it to see if it would heal, but due to the radiation therapy I had had as a child the bone is basically dead, so after 10 weeks it was decided that surgery to insert a femeral nail would be the best option. The surgeon was able to use the latest technology with a special shape and coating to hope for the best result.”
Miss Jarvis had now been off horses for three months, but luckily her horses had remained in training thanks to some very good friends, led by Silver Olympic medallist Sonja Johnson.
Surgery took place just six weeks before the start of the first selection event for the Australia Para-Equestrian Dressage Team taking place in Werribee, Victoria.
“The decision was made to send the horses to NSW where my coach from there could help prepare them while I recovered from surgery,” Miss Jarvis said.
“I flew to the east after having a few rides in WA when the surgeon gave me the go-ahead to ride again. A normal recovery would be four to six weeks, I was allowed back on riding after three. I arrived back to my horses a week and a half before competition, not really knowing how well I was going to be able to ride.”
The first selection event took place from December 10-13, at the Saddleworld Dressage Festival in Werribee Victoria.
“I was to ride both horses, though upon arrival at the venue Lord Larmarque sustained a minor injury which then ruled him out from competing, so I just competed on my other horse Ceasy,” Miss Jarvis said.
“It was a good result in the first event with a win in the Grade III Team Test. The weather was not favourable on the second day with strong winds, so much so that the wind picked up part of the arena fence whilst I was performing my test, and nearly hit the horse while competing. This caused Ceasy to be quite nervous and tense for most of the test and this was reflected in the score, bringing us down the placings to fourth place. The third day of competition was good and we finished on a high with a win in the Freestyle Test.
“I was then able to stay based in NSW with my horses over the Christmas and New Year period to continue to receive consistent training in the lead up to the second selection event. I was very grateful to receive a Wally Foreman scholarship to assist with this opportunity,” she said.
The second selection event was held at the Boneo Park Classic, Boneo, Victoria from January 20-22.
This event was also an International three star event, where Australia was required to beat New Zealand in a teams event to qualify Australia a team place at the Rio Paralympics equestrian events.
“I again had good performances riding the mare Ceasy,” Miss Jarvis said.
The hard training paid off with wins in both the Grade III Team and Individual Championship Tests.
“I gained good scores that are required for possible selection on the Australian team to be announced later in the year after the final selection events that finish in May. I was also part of the four person Australian Team who beat New Zealand in the team competition, qualifying Australia for an all important team slot in the Rio Paralympics,” she said.
“I am currently driving the horses back across Australia to home. I will continue training and working to save some money to head back east again in mid-March to compete in the final Australian qualifying event in Sydney from April 7-9. After this event I just have to sit tight and see what the Australians who are in Europe perform like at the selection events over there. By mid-May I should have an idea if I have made the team. Team selection is based on scores, currently I am ranked third to make the four person team, according to selection policy.
“I'd like to thank those who have already supported my fundraising efforts to help make this Paralympic campaign happen, there are more events coming up if anyone is interested being involved in any way.”
