Ms. Que BanhIn the mid-2000s, I got my first #GoldMedal at #BCDisabilityGames in #PowellRiver - in intermediate #EnglishRiding #dressage. I went on to obtain bronze, silver & gold medals in regular BC Games - competing against non-disabled #equestrians. I moved up to national competitions & obtained 2 silvers & 1 gold medal. I was approached by Canadian #Paralympics Committee & the international #ParaEquestrian coach, after that. They wanted me to join #TeamCanada. We had 3 different meetings after & it resulted in me pulling out because I couldn't afford to pay for their training program. I was also too old to get funding help & had no one around to help me on that. It was a good life experience, while it lasted.
That was when I first learned how expensive it is to pursue higher levels of #parasports competition. Many of us just bowed out, even when we met qualifying markers - because we were too poor to keep at it.
You can see my leg braces because jodphurs are tight & grip to everything.
#PeopleWithDisabilities #ParaAthletes #ParaEquestrian #Horses #PoleBending #AsianMastodon #DisabledAthletes #BCGames #BeatTheOdds #DisabledWomen #haflinger
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