Derbyshire rider Jessica Limb – who receives on-going support from a Buxton based disabled riding charity – has scored success on her international debut in the inaugural Virtus World Para-Dressage Championships.
Jessica (25), who lives in Chesterfield and started her para-dressage career with Helen Atkin Group Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), won a silver medal in Class Individual ii3 in the competition – held recently at Sparsholt College Equestrian Centre, Winchester.
Riding Penhaligon Danny De Vito – a promising partnership forged only recently – Jessica achieved new heights in the contest, which aims to raise the bar for para-dressage excellence and is organised by the International Sports Federation for athletes with intellectual impairment.
“To say I’m proud is an understatement,” said Jessica, who has represented Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA in RDA regional and national competitions over the past four years. “From setting this goal last October – with no horse to ride – to achieving it with Danny on the world stage is something I’ll never forget.
“It shows that with some determination, hard work and an amazing support team, you can achieve anything. I’m really grateful to Helen Atkin Group RDA for helping me to start my journey in para-dressage and for continuing to support me.”
Janine Frost, Chairperson of Helen Atkin Group Buxton RDA added: “We are all so delighted that Jessica and Danny have triumphed at international level on their first attempt, and hope they will go on to achieve even greater accolades in the future.
“Since she was paired with Danny and built on tuition from her coach Sonia Baines of Dunston Park Farm Equestrian Centre in Chesterfield, her riding skills have gone from strength to strength and they have made massive progress. She has put in so much time and effort to streamline their partnership over the past few months, and fully deserves this prestigious prize.
“Special thanks must also go to our own Group Instructor Alison Riley, who gave Jessica invaluable practical support when she won Grade 7 Walk, Trot and Canter and Grade 7 Freestyle classes at the RDA North Midlands Regional Dressage Qualifier and the RDA National Championships in recent months. Alison’s involvement helped to take some pressure off Jessica on both occasions, allowing her to concentrate fully on her performance – and it certainly paid off.”
Helen Atkin Group Buxton is a voluntary group (charity number 1182183) providing riding therapy for disabled children and adults aged from six to over 60 across the High Peak, using selected horses and ponies hired from Buxton Riding School. Nw volunteers are always warmly welcomed. For more information, visit its website at helenatkinrda.org.uk or its Facebook page at facebook.com/Buxton RDA.
