TWENTY-six years ago, in August 1996, the Paralympic Games hosted by the United States in Atlanta saw for the first time the inclusion of equestrian sports. Two riders from Ireland qualified for participation. Both Irish participants were female, both participants had lost their sight as one of the more severe effects of diabetes, both participants were guide-dog users and both participants were accomplished riders prior to the loss of sight.

Ireland’s first rider was Anne Harvey. In the 1970s Anne was one of the very first female jockeys to acquire a licence and rode over 50 winners before deciding to exchange the role of jockey to one of racehorse trainer. Anne’s career as a trainer was short-lived as once the sight deterioration commenced, it was aggressive. Anne was left with what is described as navigational sight. At that time Anne was living in Co Cork where she was introduced in 1993 by Mrs Maureen Cantillon of the Riding for the Disabled Association to the renowned Skevanish riding instructor and dressage coach Frank O’Sullivan.

The original aspirational goal was to introduce Anne to dressage riding and hopefully to bring Anne to a level where perhaps she could give a demonstration at the Millstreet International Show on behalf of the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland (RDAI). The strong partnership of Anne Harvey and Frank O’Sullivan way out passed all expectations, resulting in Anne qualifying on the international scene to represent Ireland in Atlanta.

Ireland’s second rider was Joan Salmon. Prior to the loss of her sight, Joan was a keen amateur who was an active participant on the riding club scene on her beloved horse Dorian. Similar to Anne, Joan’s sight loss was aggressive and by her early 20s, Joan was completely blind, not even having light and shade. Joan had given up riding as she believed all she was being told about the possibility of continuing - “impossible”, “unrealistic” “dangerous”.

Gifted instructors

However, Joan had the good fortune to meet two exceptional instructors - Paul Meehan and Colm Nolan - who viewed the world in a far more positive way and focused on what she could do (ride a horse) rather than on what she was unable to do (see). Once Joan was back riding, her competitive spirit was re-awakened and the inspirational international dressage coach Niall Quirke stepped in as her coach and mentor.

To ride a horse without the benefit of sight is not for the faint-hearted. All riders send their horse forward – it is no different for a non-sighted rider.

When one initially commences riding as a non-sighted rider, with the absence of a horizon, the rider has to first overcome the sensation of sea sickness. Another obvious obstacle to be overcome is that of navigation.

Wonderful volunteers

To this end, an enormous debt of thanks is owed to the students of the National Specialised Equestrian Training Centre who willingly, tirelessly and voluntarily gave up their lunch hours and weekends to assist in the development of a system so that non-sighted dressage riders could safely and accurately navigate a dressage arena - a system that is in use to-day all over the world.

The positive role played by both the Association of Irish Riding Clubs and Dressage Ireland deserves recognition. As Anne and Joan commenced their competition experience, the two organisations fully embraced the concept and showed their support in practical ways by always and without hesitation providing a warm-up arena that was free of other horses and riders.

Podium joy

The magic of having a team at the first Paralympic Games to include equestrian competition was completed when a medal was won for Ireland. Joan Salmon riding PJ won a bronze medal.

In Atlanta there was, and perhaps still is, a chain of restaurants known as ‘Ruby Tuesdays’ and as the Irish team celebrated the wonderful event, an idea was born to have an organisation where other young riders could access encouragement, coaching and expertise to follow their dreams into international competition. And so the seed, which grew and was nurtured to become Para Equestrian Ireland.

To ride dressage well takes time, skill and dedication. It is the result of a partnership between horse, rider and coach. In the early days of equestrian paralympic competition, the riders’ horses did not travel to the international venues but rather the host country provided the horses.

Exceptional skill from the coaches was required as there was only a comparatively short period of time to develop the trust and harmony between horse and rider so as to produce quality dressage. Ireland was truly blessed in the skill, knowledge and expertise provided to Anne and Joan by Frank O’Sullivan and Niall Quirke.

Sadly both riders have since died, Joan died in 2013 and was pre-deceased by Anne. Both lived in a dark, sightless world but had the vision to expand the borders of possibility.

Gratitude and thanks are owed to these two exceptional horsewomen who both possessed a strong pioneering spirit.

They opened the door for many more riders to pass through, to follow their own stars and to enjoy the sports that we know today. As a result of Anne and Joan’s efforts, female jockeys in the racing world are now the norm and Ireland has added many more Paralympic Dressage medals to the history of Irish equestrianism.

‘Thank you’ to Anne and to Joan. May you both rest in peace. A job well done. A life well lived.