Para-equestrian Jodie Thorne riding high

Local para-equestrian Jodie Thorne and her horse San Mateo Tech Effects, are celebrating finishing their first year competing together, and looking back on the amazing progress they have made in such a short space of time.

"At the beginning of last year I wasn't sure I would ever find the right horse after 8 hard months of searching." says Jodie. "But then Tech turned up and we clicked from the start. The rest as they say, is history!"

Jodie has FSH Muscular Dystrophy which is a degenerative muscle condition that affects her strength and balance.

The Max Foundation for New Zealand Women awarded Jodie a grant in June 2010 to purchase a para-dressage horse to enable her to start competing.

"None of this would have been possible without their support and belief in me and my goals from the beginning" she says.

But the horse-hunt wasn't easy with Jodie's very specific requirements.

"I can only ride at a walk due to my muscle weakness." she explains.

"It was really hard finding a horse who responded well to the lop-sided way I sit in the saddle, and who wasn't phased by the unique way I use my hands and legs to give the aids."

But Tech, the 16hh pinto gelding, coped really well with everything that was thrown at him, and Jodie & Tech became a team in February last year.

"We've worked extremely hard this year and have competed at every North Island para-equestrian event. We've been improving our scores every time we ride a test which is a huge achievement, and shows that all our hard work and training is paying off."

The pair's biggest achievement this year was scoring 70% for their musical freestyle at the para-equestrian national championships in March.

"That test felt really good!" says Jodie.

"Tech was just brilliant - listening to me and very responsive all the way through despite all the distractions. I had the biggest smile on my face as we turned up the centre line and walked towards our final halt and salute to the judges!"

The following week Jodie & Tech competed at Horse of the Year, NZ's biggest equestrian event.

"We received some really great feedback from the international judges - they can see Tech's potential and it's incredibly exciting for us to look towards our future competition career together. We have our sights set on the World Equestrian Games and ultimately the Paralympics in 2016. It will be a lot of hard work but I'll do everything it takes to get us there!"

Businesses in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato have also put forward their support for Jodie & Tech's quest, and they have a growing team of sponsors behind them: JLT Insurance, Farmlands Te Puna, EquipOutdoors.co.nz, Savvy Touch, Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge and Blue Mist Equine Veterinary Centre.

The latest addition to their sponsorship team is Eleos Trust and JC Trailers, who together have sponsored a new JC11 horse float.

"Our main aim is to help people with disabilities to achieve their dreams and to see Jodie developing her skills in the equestrian arena is very satisfying." says Jenny from Eleos Trust.

"We wish her and Tech every success as they compete in wider international circles and will certainly be following her career with great interest."

Jodie says "I was bouncing off the walls with excitement when I heard that Eleos Trust and JC Trailers were working together to make my float a reality. I still can't believe it! I feel incredibly lucky to have their support. JC Trailers have designed the float so I can move around it easily despite my mobility problems, it tows like a dream and Tech travels really well in it so it has his seal of approval too."

John and Judith Cunningham own JC Trailers in Hamilton. As soon as they heard about Jodie's requirements for a float, they committed to making it happen.

"We congratulate them on their placings at HOY and the Para Nationals. We knew Jodie and Tech were ready for this - their hard work paid off and we celebrate the achievements both have reached," Judith Cunningham says.

But it's not just Jodie & Tech in the team. "I have an amazing support team around me helping with caring for Tech, training and coaching us both, travelling and competing, and everything else that goes with looking after a horse" she says.

"I appreciate my sponsors and support team so much. Without them I couldn't do what I'm doing."

The pair are now working on their winter training plan so they can start next season with a bang and continue on their upwards trajectory. You can follow their progress at www.jodiethorne.co.nz .