My dream was to compete in the Paralympics.
Thank you for all your help to make this dream come true!
Tokyo was an amazing experience!
And indeed for bringing home two Bronze Medals at The 2022 Herning World Equestrian Games!
And a Silver Medal at The European Championships 2023.
This is my story. Hopefully, reading it explains how your support is the key to continued success!
I cannot achieve this without your help!
I was born in London with a rare progressive disorder called Dejerine-Sottas. This is a peripheral neuropathy and means having no reflexes, little sensation, low muscle tone and lack of motor control and a double spinal fusion.
However, this has given me an amazing opportunity to represent my country, Ireland, in Para Dressage at the Paralympics in Tokyo and the World Equestrian Games 2022 in Denmark. Cleverboy and I made Irish history by coming home with two Bronze medals! And now a Silver medal at The European Championships 2023. I am now aiming for the Paris Paralympics on Cleverboy (Charlie) owned by Bronte Watson.
Being able to ride and feel free when you cannot walk independently and being able to compete, never mind represent my country, is uplifting!
My family fought for me to go to mainstream school, working hard on exercise and therapy including horse riding, aged 4. I am so grateful to family and friends for all their support.
Riding has been a huge part of my life, physically and emotionally, and I have successfully competed at international level since the age of 10.
At 14, I became the youngest in the world to win a 2* International and have since gone on to win 3* Internationals. It was a privilege to be asked to carry the Olympic torch in 2012 - a day I will never forget.
Our lives as a family were rocked in 2015, when my older brother James died, aged 20, saving another life in New Zealand. He was the kindest and most giving young man I have ever known, and it hurts. I had an 8-hour operation on my back in 2011 for a double spinal fusion and it was James who was there when I came out of the anaesthetic.
In 2016, I studied Biology at Warwick University and graduated with a First-Class Honours in Biological Sciences. Studying at university in a wheelchair has worked surprisingly well. I am now working as an Environmental Advisor in London.
I found a lovely safe horse(Roo) through Elder Klatzko Dressage and started competing Internationally again, with my Irish Citizenship for Ireland, and went on to win a 3* International for them in 2018.
In 2019, I enjoyed being part of the Irish Team at The European Championships in Rotterdam and I qualified for Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games. In 2021, winning the CPEDI3* International in Munich with Cleverboy gaining his Mers for the Tokyo Paralympics!
It costs a staggering amount - well over £60,000 and is self funded to keep the horses and compete to qualify for the next Paralympics in Paris!
I should have chosen a less expensive sport!
I am so well supported by my sponsors listed below, in relation to equipment - please do check them out!
I am determined to keep this dream going so asking for your help financially or with fundraising. I would like to achieve this not only for myself, but for my parents and younger brother, my friends and friends of James who have been raising money, but most importantly for James, as he always believed I would make it to the Paralympics.
And now I have made it to The Paralympics and The World Equestrian Games thanks to friends, family and sponsors. I am now seeking a financial sponsor to continue this journey to Paris Paralympics 2024!
Ranked in the top 10 in the World!
Watch the full interview with Michael and Tamsin
