Paralympic GOLD and SILVER

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Nancy worked with the Canadian National Paralympic Dressage Team for five years as National Coach. It was an inspiring position, and she'd be there still, if she could, but it requires too much time away from work, and too much travel to be feasible for her just now, so she has to watch the team from the sidelines these days.

But what a view! Lauren Barwick, from BC, is one of our para-athletes. Nancy worked with Lauren at the European Championships in Portugal a few years back, and has tremendous admiration for this young lady. Paralympians are 'graded' into four categories, with Grade I being the most disabled, and Grade IV being the least. Lauren is a Grade II. Don't let that little word 'disabled' fool you, however. These athletes can ride the pants off most of the 'abled' riders you're going to meet at an equivalent level. The Paralympic Standard is excrutiatingly high.

Lauren was injured in a freak accident when a bale of hay fell on her head at her home stable in BC, and that horrible day launched her on the path to becoming one of our elite Paralympic athletes. With tremendous focus, stamina, willpower and desire, Lauren followed her chosen path, and proved again and again that there is no "Dis" in "Ability".

We're absolutely thrilled to report that in Hong Kong, the venue for the Paralympic Equestrian competition, Lauren won Silver in the Individual dressage test -- and followed that up with GOLD in the musical freestyle (Kur). To get close to the medals at these Games is an enormous accomplishment. To beat out the big powerhouse nations, such as Great Britain, is breathtaking. To win GOLD and SILVER, for herself and for Canada... well, Lauren... YOU ROCK!!!

Given that Lauren's partner, the 14 year old Dutch warmblood mare Maile arrived at the venue with shipping fever from the long trip, and it was very iffy whether the mare would be able to compete at all, their victory is doubly sweet


Hopefully there will be some media coverage -- next Saturday we're told there's a short program on CBC. Too bad -- because more folks should see just how incredibly 'able' these athletes, in all their varied sports, are. They are an inspiration to us all, and deserve the same kind of extensive coverage afforded to the 'main Games'.

We're so proud of you Lauren!!!!