WAIS Para-Equestrian athlete Sharon Jarvis won two bronze medals for Australia at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.
Jarvisand her 14-year-old gelding Applewood Odorado (Odie) won the Bronze medal in the Grade III Individual Championship test.The Gold medal was won by Hannelore Brenner (GER) who is also the reigning Paralympic Champion.Annika Dalskov (DEN) won the Silver.
“I don’t really know how to describe the feeling, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, I am ecstatic,” commentedSharon after the scores were announced.
It has been a long road to the podium.Sharon and Odie have travelled over 26,000km from their home in Donnybrook, Western Australia, to compete in these World Championships.
“I left home and went to the Hunter Valley in NSW to train with Rozzie Ryan for six months.That was invaluable in preparing me for this event. I have been living in a caravan smaller than a horse trailer and it leaks so I covered it with a tarp to stop the rain coming in,” laughed Jarvis.
Jarvis backed up her performance to win a second bronze in the Grade III Freestyle test in a fantastic competition for her and Odie.
Riding to the music from ‘Who is Afraid of the Big Bad Bear’ and Walt Disney’s ‘Pinocchio’ Sharon and Odie danced through the test.
“One of my heroes is Walt Disney.When I was young and I was sick my mother told me if I got well enough we would go to Disneyland.I was in callipers and in a wheelchair and when I got there, Mickey Mouse pushed me around all day. Disney has always been an inspiration to me,” explained Jarvis.
31-year-oldSharon placed fourth at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games where she gained valuable experience that helped her to perform well at these Games.
“I learnt a lot about being on a team. It prepared me well. I came here with a job in mind and just set about doing that job, and that was to hopefully win a medal.”
“It has been absolutely fantastic to be on this team,” she added.
An ambitious Jarvis plans to spend time in Europe next year to train with Australia Dressage Team member Hayley Beresford. “I want to ride in open Grand Prix, that is my goal,” said Jarvis, who as a child had rare form of bone cancer which has left her with limited movement and strength from the waist down.
Sharon rides and trains horses full time at her family farm in Western Australia. “I gave up my business to prepare for this event, which has been a financial strain,” she said, “But it is worth it, this is what I love to do.”
After this event Sharon will go home and save money for her European trip.She plans to continue her career in the sport and “to win many more medals for Australia.”
– Equestrian Australia
