A Leamington lawyer is appealing for help jumping one last obstacle as she looks to make her dream of competing at London 2012 a reality.
Ruth MacCarthy, a paralegal at Leamington law firm Wright Hassall, is one of Britain’s top paralympic dressage riders but faces a race against time to be ready for next year’s Olympic spectacular after her preparations were interrupted by an injury to her horse.
Ruth is now searching for a replacement horse after ‘Flustern’ – also known as Whisper – suffered a set-back in training.
“She ruptured a ligament while out in the field late last year,” said the 26-year-old from Wellesbourne.
“Tendon injuries require an extensive period of rest and this means she will be out of action for 12 months and her prospects for reaching the top level again are unknown.
“I decided to make use of this time and put her ‘in-foal’ with the hope of producing a future competition horse for me but in the meantime I am left without a horse to compete on.
“Ideally I am looking for a seven to 15-year-old dressage horse between 15.2 and 17.2hh in height with a proven track record at the top level.”
The Olympic Games may be over 15 months away but time is already running out for Ruth.
“This is the first time I have been looking to loan a horse so it is a bit strange but at the same time I have dealt with a lot of loan agreements through my work so I understand how the process works,” she added.
“However, the clock is ticking and I would really need to get the horse by the end of April. It is a big adjustment for a horse to carry someone with a disability so they need time to get used to it.
“When I am on a horse I have little use of my right leg and I am limited through my lower spine. Most horses will have been trained by people who can apply full pressure through both legs.”
Selectors will begin monitoring potential competitors from June onwards, starting with the Hickstead Championships in Sussex
And after all that Ruth has been through to reach this stage, she doesn’t want to miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity to represent her country on home soil in the Paralympics.
“I have been riding since I was four but I had my accident when I was 19,” she said.
“I was out on a cross country course when I had a rotational fall. I am very lucky to be alive. The fact that I am riding again is an absolutely amazing achievement for me.
“I was thrown off the horse and despite her best efforts to avoid me, she landed on top of me. I broke my lower back, hips and crushed my pelvis as well as incurring irreparable nerve and soft tissue damage.
“At the time we weren’t aware if I would ever be able to walk again let alone get back on a horse.
“It took a long time for me to regain the feeling in my back and legs but I was back riding before I could walk, in fact the first time I was back on a horse I was still using a Zimmer frame.
“The doctors and specialists told me that I wouldn’t ride again but I was having none of it, I was determined not to have to given up something I loved doing.”
As well as enjoying getting back on the horse, Ruth has also had the pleasure of learning from nine-time paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson and European Dressage champions Maria Eilberg.
“I was privileged to experience the 2008 Paralympics and be there so that I could share that moment with Lee,” said Ruth.
“It provided me with an insight as to what is required from athletes at the Paralympics Games so I could prepare for 2012.
“The atmosphere was incredible, it was a great experience and prepared me really well for what to expect at a major competition.”
Ruth has proved she has the guts and determination to fight when all the odds are against her – which is what the Olympics are all about – but she just needs helps to overcome this final barrier.
If you think you can help Ruth, or know someone who could, please contact her via www.ruthmaccarthy.co.uk – any owner who can provide such an opportunity will also have the chance to be a part of the games.
This website also provides information on how you can make a donation to contribute to her Olympic effort.
