44 SIDELINES OCTOBER 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Lindsay McCall
D
onna Ponessa from New Windsor, New York
catapulted onto the international para-equestrian
scene in 2011. Her determination led to her earning a
spot on the 2012 USA Paralympic Equestrian Team in London
alongside Jonathan Wentz, Rebecca Hart and Dale Dedrick.
“There are not enough adjectives to describe what an amazing
experience it was to represent the USA. There is no greater honor
than being selected to represent your country at an Olympic event,”
Donna said. “I still get goose bumps and my heart races when I
think about it. When I entered the dressage arena, I remember
seeing the banner with the white writing’ London 2012’. I took my
hand briefly off the reins, patted my horse, Western Rose, and
said to her, ‘Well, girl, we did it, we really did it.’”
Donna’s success did not come without obstacles. Her story as
an equestrian living with a rare form of Multiple Sclerosis called
Devic Disease, working full-time and competing at the FEI level
is unique. Her unwavering competitive nature helped Donna to
reach for her dreams. Donna continues to work toward the 2014
World Equestrian Games while juggling work, her fitness and
riding. Sidelines caught up with the amazing para-equestrian to
find out more about her life, and don’t miss her great answer to the
question “Do you have a favorite horse show story?” ,
What is going on in your life right now?
I had some major health issues over the winter and spent
almost three months in the hospital between ICU and then
inpatient rehabilitation. I am still working to regain some of
the function I lost
during the illness -
especially respiratory-
wise and dealing with
the total loss of vision
in my left eye. As far as
horses, my current mount
is PG Ganda, a 19-year-old
Danish
Warmblood
on
loan to me from Vinceremos
Therapeutic Riding Center in
Florida. He was my back-up
horse at the 2012 Selection
Trials and the first alternate for the London Paralympic Games.
I am also trying some younger horses as alternates; the big
thing is that I need a horse with a phenomenal “10” walk and
that can be difficult to find. I am now training with Carol Seaman
who is based out of her facility, Outfoxed Farm, in Chester,
New York.
How do you compete at a high-performance level with Devic
Disease?
To do it effectively, it is a lifestyle commitment combined
with a leap of faith. I am fortunate to have access to a talented
support team, as it isn’t possible to do it in a vacuum. Because
of the extent of my disability, I need to make sure the parts of my
body that do work function at optimal capacity and are as strong
as they can be. To accomplish this, my days begin around 4:45
One
Breath
At A
Time
e
Para Equestrian
Continued on page 46
Donna and Western Rose competing in London –
an experience that still gives her goose bumps and
makes her heart race when she thinks about it.
Through determination and
hard work, Donna has learned
to ride without her ventilator.
