Charlotte Aroa is one of three Waikato Special Olympics athletes who competes in the equestrian events at the Christchurch national games. Photo / Libby Law
Charlotte Aroa is one of three Waikato Special Olympics athletes who competes in the equestrian events at the Christchurch national games. Photo / Libby Law
Three very special equestrians are currently competing at the New Zealand Special Olympics in Christchurch.
Charlotte Aroa, 26, Alex Goldsack, 31, and Emma Wilton, 22, all belong to the Waikato Special Olympics club.
Aroa said she enjoys the competition.
“I love being with athletes and trying my best.”
Waikato equestriangroup manager Kara Lockhart, who attended three National Special Olympics and two World Special Olympics, is their coach.
Aroa, Goldsack and Wilton are part of 40 riders from across the country that compete at the Special Olympics.
They all face a big challenge: riding horses they don’t know, as the horses they train on won’t be travelling to Christchurch with them.
Instead, the athletes will be matched with horses from the Christchurch Riding for the Disabled on the day of the competition.
“The horses are allocated based on what we coaches have told them our athletes need,” Lockhart said.
Alex Goldsack, Charlotte Aroa and Emma Wilton are the Waikato equestrians taking part in the Special Olympics. Photo / Equestrian Sports New Zealand
“It’s very challenging for the athletes to get on a new horse they’re not familiar with. And most will get only 10-15 minutes to ride before their first test.”
In the competition, the equestrian athletes are grouped according to similar ability levels – regardless of their age or gender.
They will compete in dressage, group equitation, and a working trail featuring obstacles and poles.
Lockhart says group equitation can often be the most challenging event.
“By definition, our riders don’t follow instructions particularly well and there’s no set test to group equitation.
“They just get told what to do when they’re there. So, it can be a little bit like herding cats.”
For many athletes, taking part in the Special Olympics is the first time away from home and their families.
“It is a really big thing for them personally, and they grow so much in their independence and ability to get on in life.
“For athletes with intellectual disabilities, it’s huge to be able to go away from mum and dad and your usual surroundings.
“These athletes face a lot of challenges in their lives. To be able to offer them what we can with Special Olympics is so huge and they’re so grateful.”
Athletes who successfully compete at the National Special Olympics are eligible to compete at the 2027 World Special Olympics in Chile, if they have the funding and can demonstrate their ability to cope with being away from home for the three-week-long international competition.
Special Olympics New Zealand was founded in 1983 by Grant and Wendy Quinn in Lower Hutt.
