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FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE SIDELINES JUNE 2011 73

also distraught beyond imagination. “I had always been classified as the semi-normal child in my family.  I have a brother Cameron who was born with a severe brain injury and a sister Rosemary who has Downs Syndrome,” she said.

Rehab and Riding Again

Lauren spent a few months in rehab and during that time she knew there was one thing she would never do again – ride. “I felt that it would be embarrassing to be led around in circles. Yes, it may be therapeutic for others, but I thought it would do nothing for my mind other than make me sad. I did want to remain active, so I tried many different sports:  tennis, hand-cycling, kayaking, downhill mountain biking and sailing.”

When Lauren returned home in a wheelchair for the rest of her life, she said she was inexplicably drawn to the barn. “I started teaching students on my horses but

I was too stubborn to get on. One day, while watching another riding lesson, I had a horrible reaction and started to cry heavily.  As I tried to wheel away, the coach in the ring insisted it was time for me to get on a horse. Next thing I knew, I found myself being picked up by two people and plopped on a horse.  I won’t lie; it was the worst experience I have ever felt.  I had ridden horses my whole life and, at 22, I had absolutely no sensation of sitting on a horse.  I thought that if I sat up I was going to fall down. I was led around in a circle just like I didn’t want to be, and I had a pity party in my head.”

Lauren said she knew she had to make a major decision – would she or wouldn’t she embrace her predicament and get back in the saddle again? “The next morning I got up early, went to the barn and politely and shyly asked to be put back on a horse.  That day was the beginning of my new-found love for riding.”

The Road To The Paralympics

Early in 2001, only a short time after her accident, Lauren set a goal of becoming a Para-Dressage rider and competing in the Paralympics. True to form for someone who believes you can accomplish anything you set your mind to, Lauren represented Canada at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens and the 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong. The Paralympics are held the same year as the Olympics, and take place two weeks after the Olympics are over.

Lauren was pleased with her results in Athens – 6th place in the freestyle and 7th in the technical ride. But it was in Hong Kong that Lauren really showed what she was made of. Lauren and the Dutch mare Maile won the silver medal

in the Grade II technical ride, a division that includes the extended trot, 10-meter circles, backing up, transitions and serpentines. Then the pair took it one step further and won the gold medal in the Grade II freestyle, a division mainly for wheelchair users that allows everything except pirouettes and tempi changes.

Looking back at the 2008 Games, Lauren said it was nothing short of a miracle that she and Maile were able to compete at all. “When Maile arrived in Hong Kong she was diagnosed with shipping fever and was beginning to develop pneumonia. She lost 41 pounds in five days and my only goal was to get her home alive,” Lauren said. “I didn’t think I would compete, I only cared about getting Maile healthy.” A few days before the Games, thanks to excellent veterinarians, Lauren was able to get back on Maile and walk around. By the time the Games opened Lauren and her courageous mare were able to turn in their medal-wining performances. Lauren said winning the gold in the freestyle was not only unexpected, but it also gave her more determination than ever. “It was an incredible journey with many lows and highs but Maile definitely gave me her everything and helped me achieve my dreams and goals.” Lauren, now 32, has added riding against able-bodied competitors to her list of things she can do and she has won classes at First and Second level. “I use my voice, my weight and two sticks. I also use my mind and my thoughts with my horses.”

Thanks to a vast amount of experiences she never dreamt would be her life, Lauren has also added motivational speaking to her resume. She is often asked to give advice on how to use innovation to succeed, and talk about setting

Lauren, in her wheelchair, cuddles with Peanut

Photo courtesy of Lauren Barwick

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