114 SIDELINES APRIL 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
side, Slate was sound the very next week.”
After the show, Lara and Slate went back into training
and back onto the show circuit where they showed their
Grade III FEI tests (equivalent to Second Level move-
ments).
In October 2014, Lara headed to Del Mar, California
to train with Steffen Peters and assistant Dawn White-
O’Connor for a month. “I was privileged to watch Steffen
ride all his horses, seven of the mornings while I was
there,” smiled Lara. “He is so balanced and uses the
quietest of aids to cue his horses. It is beautiful to watch
him ride and his horses don’t hurt your eyes either. Stef-
fen really liked Slate and said that he thought I could be
competitive with him in the para-dressage classes if I
work hard on accuracy. He said, ‘He is forward, respon-
sive to your aids, and more consistent on the bit than
many horses that have riders with two hands.’ Steffen
was a very gracious host, he never forgot to introduce
me to anybody and he made me feel included even
though I was only there for a short while. I am eternally
grateful for my time with Team Peters.”
After her trip to Southern California, Lara headed to
Winters, California, for the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dres-
sage Symposium. There she trained with British para-
dressage coach Clive Milkins who coaches gold medal
winning rider Sophie Christensen.
Lara’s journey as a para-equestrian has taken lots
of hard work, time and a great deal of finances. Lara
and Slate work daily preparing their Grade III FEI Para-
Dressage tests for the international ring. She has at-
tended multiple clinics, she has showed at every show
she could travel to, and she plans on attending as many CPEDI3* shows as
she can afford so she can qualify for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian
Games and the 2016 Paralympics.
After a few years of training in the para-dressage discipline Lara is excited
for her future. She added, “I know Slate is not much to look at while stand-
ing still but he really surprises people when he starts moving. I think people
like him so much because he is an underdog and people love to root for an
underdog.”
The biggest obstacle for Lara, like many international athletes, is fund-
ing. Even with two full-time incomes, the international dressage competition
world requires a great deal of money. “We have dipped into our retirement
funds four times to pay for Slate’s expenses, our dressage training and com-
petitions,” said Lara.
When Lara isn’t riding she is educating the public, the equestrian industry
and her local community about the para-equestrian discipline. She is pas-
sionate about the Paralympic movement and enjoys being an ambassador
for the Utah para-dressage community. “I do get embarrassed sometimes
when people say I am inspiring, but when I was younger I might say the same
thing to disabled people,” said Lara. “You don’t know how strong you are until
there is no other choice. There are many people with physical challenges
worse than mine, people that have mental or emotional issues that nobody
can see from the outside, and then people with terminal illness, or tragic loss
of family members.”
She continued, “My injury is limited, not getting progressively worse, and
while frustrating sometimes, is definitely not life threatening. I am lucky to be
able to go back to work full-time, to a job that they left open for me, and I am
fortunate to be as physically independent as I am. I thank heavens for my
husband who has been so patient, and supportive and caring throughout our
whole marriage.”
About the writer: Lindsay McCall is a lifelong hunter/jumper rider, originally from Ohio. She is a
talented photographer and makes it her career to advocate for the equestrian sport, especially the
Para-Equestrian discipline, through photojournalism. Lindsay and her family own many horses in
multiple disciplines and she enjoys spending her free time with her husband, horses and Labrador
Retrievers
.
Lara, Slate, British gold medal Coach Clive
Milkins, and Lara’s trainer Annie Peavy at the
2013 U.S Para-Equestrian Dressage Symposium.
Photo by Lindsay Y. McCall
Slate and Lara showing in April 2012.
Photo courtesy of Lara Oles
