Sharon Jarvis

RIDER PROFILE

Name:        Sharon Jarvis

Discipline/s: Para Dressage and Open Dressage

Year started riding:  1992              

Year started competition: International competition 2007

Saddle/s you ride in:

Prestige D1K Zero

Favourite Products/Why:

1. My saddle- I LOVE it!!!! It suits me and my horse perfectly!!!

2. Skye Park Cotton Rugs- They fit so well and last well.

3. KEP Helmet- so comfy and light, such good protection adn safety is of the most importance!!

 

A bit about your riding career:

I started riding at the age of 3 years. Born into a non-horsey family on a beef cattle and orcharding enterprise in the South West of Western Australia. By the age of 4 I had my own pony and was happy attending the local Donnybrook Pony Club. Unfortunately at the age of 7yrs I was diagnosed with bone cancer in my left femur. A rare tumour that usually occurs in teenage boys. Originally given the prognosis of 3 months to live, I defied the odds and after a year of chemo and radiotherapy I was cleared of the cancer.

The next year my leg broke in the same place due to the weakness in that leg. After many operations and bone grafts I have been left with limited movement and strength from the waist down particularly on the left side.

I have not let this stand in my way of pursuing my passion of horse riding. Not being allowed to ride for the following 6 years had made me more determined to achieve my dreams. Determined to succeed in both show horse and dressage disciplines I began a riding career which has seen me achieve many great results in the open able bodied competition. Achievements that included competing in the senior Riding class at the National Show Horse Championships.

I started competing in Para Equstrian dressage for the first time in 2006 after a fellow dressage competitor who is a paraplegic convinced me I was disabled enough to be classified to compete at the Paralympics. I am classified as a Grade 3 rider. Riders are classified according to their disability with grade 1 being the most disabled and grade 4 being the least. I have since represented Australia at the 2007 World Para-Dressage Championships at Hartpury, England riding a borrowed horse and achieving 2 top 10 placings. I more recently represented Australia at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics where I achieved a 4th, 5th and 7th placing as well as being part of the 4 rider Australian team placing 6th.

I have been a WA State Champion each year since 2006 and National Champion in 2008 and 2010 and Reserve Champion in 2012.

I missed selection for the 2012 London Paralympics due to my horse sustaining injuries. I am currently campaigning towards the 2016 Paralympics and have a team of 2 horses. Lord Lamarque an 8yo Hanverian stallion and Ceasy an 8yo KWPN mare. 

 

Most Memorable Moment:

 I have lots!! They are all so special! Winning the 2 bronze medals at the World Equestrian Games in 2010 and placing 4th at the 2008 Paralympics would be the stand outs!

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