Canberran para-equestrian reaches for the stars in hopes of riding on to the world stage
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After sustaining life-altering injuries, Lucinda Kasey struggled to transition from traditional riding to becoming a para-equestrian. Now, she is working towards something bigger than she ever imagined.
From recreational riding at the age of four to competing as a teenager, horses have always been a huge part of Lucinda’s life. After taking a long break from the saddle to serve in the Navy, she decided to prioritise her mental health by picking up the reins and purchasing a horse.
However, she faced difficulties when she was discharged from the Navy due to service injuries – including ankylosing spondylitis – compounded by a riding accident.
“To all of a sudden be told that you couldn’t have your career that you’re so invested in and love because you’ve got these injuries, it was quite difficult,” she says.
It was the sport she had always fallen back on in tough times, but she says that it was not the same, as she struggled to navigate the transition from being a traditional equestrian to a para equestrian.
“You’ve got to go through a classification process, because you just can’t turn up and say ‘I’m going to be a para dressage rider because I have a disability’. It’s very physically demanding, because pain is not classifiable; it’s only your physical limitations,” says Lucinda.
“Mentally, that transition was quite difficult, as I had to actually acknowledge that I had a physical impairment.”
Lucinda found herself back on the horse with the help of Equine Pathways Australia, a charity that gives people with disabilities an opportunity to participate in Equestrian sports.
It also opens the pathway to be qualified as a para-equestrian and provides a high-performance framework for riders to help them achieve their goals.
Through Equine Pathways Australia, Lucinda connected with her teammate Alex Sheppard at a riding clinic in Sydney and realised they shared common goals and interests in para dressage. They then found Nina Boyd, owner of Canberra Performance Horses, who has worked with the duo to qualify for the Australian squad ever since.
Whilst the sport can sometimes be challenging, the support of the Australian para equestrian community is fundamental to their training.
“Being in the Navy, I was always around people that were physically and mentally capable, so going to a new group of teammates that aren’t like that was really different for me. But for them to now accept me as their friend, I think is just the most beautiful thing ever,” says Lucinda.
“It was these people that have taught me that it’s okay to be physically different.”
Lucinda and Alex hope to compete at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028 as part of the Australian para dressage team.
“I’m pretty excited about it, especially because I never thought I would ever have the aptitude, talent, or ability to achieve such things. A journey is just as exciting as the prospect of being able to achieve it.”
Australia is sitting high on the rankings across many disciplines in the Equestrian World Championships. Lucinda is confident that this year’s games are the first in a long time where Australia can expect to take home some medals.
“Equestrian sports have always been a part of the fabric of Australian culture, but as we’ve sort of moved to a more motorised city-living, the identification with the average quintessential Australian with horses is removed,” she says.
Lucinda hopes to bring more attention to Equestrian World Championships, and rally local audiences to support the Australian team in Germany this year.
The Australian para dressage team will be competing from Wednesday 19 until Sunday 23 August.
You can stream on FEI TV or 7plus.
Images supplied.
