Some wonderfully positive news to share as we emerge from the shadow of lockdown. A PB for Mari and new partner, Damo. Not bad on just your 3rd outing together!
Para dressage rider and DBF Ambassador, Mari Akhurst, hasn’t been idle during the pandemic. She has kept her dream alive and worked incredibly hard with her usual determination to battle the worsening symptoms of her Cerebral Palsy, which leaves her with left-sided weakness.
Mari recently took up rowing, which has helped her with her core strength and she now looks noticeably stronger in the saddle. She also has a new partner, Damo, who stepped in when Sky, Mari’s dancing partner of many years, retired following numerous events from which the pair had returned triumphant. Now, while Sky rests on his well-earned laurels, sunbathing under blue skies and grazing happily in his field, he can watch Damo working hard with Mari to build a partnership as successful as theirs. And so far it is going incredibly well…
On just their 3rd outing together, Mari and Damo (whose walk has to be seen to be believed – check out the video on Mari’s Facebook Page via the link below!) achieved a personal best for Mari, finally smashing the 80% barrier that had eluded her for so long! They scored an amazing 81.61% in the individual test, the highest para score of the day and Mari was awarded a 9 for her riding. This is a fantastic achievement and bodes really well for the future of this new partnership. Congratulations, Mari, all your hard work and determination is paying off! This success is so well deserved. Onwards and upwards for you and Damo.
(I think Sky has been whispering advice over the fence…)
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Links (will open in new tabs):
- Mari and Damo strutting their stuff. Check out his amazing walk and other news on Mari’s Facebook Page.
- You can see historic posts about Mari’s incredible journey HERE as well as in the Grant Recipients section of the website.