New Bridle for Para Dressage Horse

My name is Stephanie Moreland and I am Para Equestrian dressage rider I suffer with a rare and understudied connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. This in short means my body produces a faulty collagen, the glue that holds me together doesn't work as well as it should. It effects all connective tissue in my body including skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, vascular and bowel tissues. My joints are hyperflexible and dislocate easily, and when this happens the soft tissues surrounding my joints suffer from thousands of microscopic tears and as a result become scarred. As well as the immense pain the dislocations can also cause damage to the joint and my nerves, and I have to undergo operations to treat the damage or stabilise my joints. During a major operation to reconstruct my left hip I suffered a surgical injury to the nerve that supplies my left leg. This is known as a femoral nerve palsy which means I have little feeling and control of my left leg. It took 18 months to rehabilitate and another 6 months to get back in the saddle. Since being back in the saddle, it became apparent I could no longer jump my horse due to not being able to balance and support myself. It was then I had to make the decision to change my riding discipline from eventing, which was a life long passion to pure dressage. It was my riding instructor at the time that introduced me to para dressage and riding for the disabled and suggested that I get classified to compete as a disabled rider and follow my dreams. Since classification I have received training from Clive Milkins who is one of the world class programme and team GB para coaches at the South Bucks RDA. He has now left GB to train the Hong Kong para equestrian team but I still train with him on his return to the uk doing training sessions and clinics etc...i am also a long term pupil of Daniel Timson, an international dressage professional. Daniel trains both myself and my competition horse. He took in my horse for training when I'm in hospital and recovering from surgery, keeping my horse working and fit. We've trained twice a week with him at his yard in West Sussex. During the summer 2014, my horse stayed with Daniel for 3 months while I recovered from bilateral jaw joint replacement surgery. It was towards the end of this stay, we decided that with my degenerative condition and worsening disability, I would benefit from a permanent position on Daniels yard in Rudgewick West Sussex. Now not only do I benefit from the help associated with daily horse care but I have the energy and ability to be more focused, to ride more effectively and have the daily benefit of Daniels expertise. Last year I was able to gain my first British dressage points and qualified for the RDA national championships. After a break of 8 months from competing while recovering from my jaw surgery I competed at the first qualifier for the summer para championships at Patchetts EC in December and came first place. I also competed at a new venue for us in preparation for competing at another para qualifier later this month. We came away with a second place, 2 more BD points and we beat our own personal best score at Oldencraig. On the 1st February we competed at Hartpury and came away with yet another 2nd place! We have recently bypassed Elementary level and have taken part in our first Medium level able bodied tests and competed against daniel himself and came away with 4th place.  Last week i received a call from the South Bucks RDA asking me to represent them at the regional qualifiers. We hope to qualify for the championships again this year.  In the short term, I aim to qualify for a para summer/winter championships, compete on the home international team, area festival and regional championships.  With Daniels help I aim to compete at the national championships and internationally. My ultimate goal is to be accepted onto the team GB para squad and to represent GB at the Paralympic Games. With his tuition I am likely to achieve this. I was told I'd never ride again and the very fact I've proved everyone wrong shows you the determination I have to succeed at these goals too. With being registered disabled I'm unable to work and have to rely on sponsorship and fundraising to finance the cost of keeping, training and competing and to provide kit/clothing for myself and my horse. I'm looking to secure donations to provide my competiton horse Pandora with a new made to measure bridle. An essential piece of kit, it is important to make sure the bridle is the right type, correct fit and very comfortable.  The amount I hope to raise will also be used to replace worn reins and other items of leatherwork that I need as a para rider to keep my balance and posture.   I truely hope everyone can offer just a little something to help in the continuation of our dressage career. In return this kindness will be acknowledged on my website that is currently under construction.    Many thanks Stephanie and Pandora