Kathryn flies the flag for Ireland
Monday, April 24, 2006
Leading Para Dressage rider, Kathryn Wheelock, is pleased to announce that she has become a member of Para Equestrian Ireland, the governing body for Irish Para Dressage riders. Yorkshire-based Kathryn, who has represented GB at internationals in the past, is eligible to ride for Ireland because her father is Irish and so she has dual British/Irish nationality.
Kathryn was born with cerebral palsy but has worked hard to overcome this and she now rides at a very high standard. As well as riding in national and international competitions for riders with disabilities, she competes successfully in able-bodied dressage up to Elementary level in the UK.
“I am very proud to be Irish. I would love to be selected for the Irish team and hopefully this could lead to a place at the Para Dressage World Championships in 2007 and ultimately at the 2008 Paralympics,” said Kathryn.
Kathryn’s dream is now a real possibility as she has recently been invited to the Paralympic Council of Ireland’s first ‘Beijing 2008’ Training Camp which takes place in Limerick at the end of April. She continues to train with Hannah Moody from Barnsley and is also having lessons from Donie McNamara, who is one of the Irish paralympic team trainers. Luckily Donie travels to England regularly, but Kathryn will also attend some training and competitions in Ireland later this year.
