The Para Dressage Podcast

In this latest episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk to Denmark's superstar Tobias Thorning Jorgensen, the current Paralympic, World and European Individual and Freestyle Grade III champion. Tobias reflects on his career to date, his successful defence of his European titles in Spetember 2023, and on his hopes for Paris 2024.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk once again to Denmark's former para Dressage World and European Champion, and Paralympic medallist, Stinna Tange, to look ahead to this week's FEI Para Dressage Championships, taking place in Reisenbeck, Germany. Normally Stinna and I would be at the Championships together, writing about it for the FEI, but I'm away so she'll be doing that, brilliantly, on her own. We discuss the riders and horses to look out for, and make our predictions regarding potential medallists. My lack of preperation is fully exposed! Good luck to all the riders taking part this week, and Stinna and I will get together in the next few weeks to see how we did (she'll be better than me). And just a warning, there are a couple of times where my sound is a bit dodgy. Hang in there though as it's only temporary!  

It's Mothers' Day in The Para Dressage Podcast world as we speak to Canada's Lauren Barwick and Great Britain's Natasha Baker about the challenges of balancing global Para Dressage careers with motherhood. Lauren is Mum to nearly six-year old Viola and one year old Braxen, while Natasha celebrated the birth of her first child, Joshua, just a few months ago. They discuss their parenting methods, the importance of a good team to support and, in a first for The Para Dressage Podcast, we use the words 'correct bra equipment'. Happy PDPC Mothers' Day!

This was a fun one. Recorded at the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Sha Tin Racecourse, site of the equestrian competitions at the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games. There I met with Hong Kong's multi Paralympic and World Championships competitor Natasha Tse, a Grade I rider. We talked about her career which dates back to London 2012, where she was the youngest rider to compete, the burgeoning success of the Hong Kong team and her frequent flights to and from Europe, and her hopes for Paris 2024.

In this latest episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we speak again to The Netherlands' European, World and Paralympic multi-gold medal winning Sanne Voets. We look back on Sanne's global championship breakthrough ten years ago, at the 2013 European Championships, her prpgress since then, her hopes for this year's Europeans in september and, of course, Paris 2024. She also talks about her recent visit to the Paris 2024 Equestrian venue - Versailles - and how that has fired her up for next year even more.

After a bit of a break, which I explain, we're back with a new episode of The Para Dressage Podcast. This interview with Amanda Bond, chair of the FEI's Para Dressage Technical Committee, took place at the beginning of the year but is still relevant as she talks about the new competition rules and formats which have been in place since the start of the season.

In this first Para Dressage Podcast of 2023 we talk to Great Britain's Erin Orford and Brazil's Rodolpho Riskalla about their new roles as athlete representatives, on the FEI's Para Dressage Technical Committee. They discuss the objectives of their roles, how they ensure the athlete's voice is heard, and about their hopes for the development of the sport.

Hello. In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we look back on the highlights of the sport in 2022, with a particular focus on the Orifarm Healthcare FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2022, which were held in Herning, Denmark.

This time round we talk to Mari Akhurst Durward. Mari is a British Grade I rider who won a silver medal in the Team Competition at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam (NED) in 2019.  We talk about her riding career to date, her hopes for the future, and her love of trying other sports, including Para Rowing, in which she is already a record holder.  

Hello and welcome back to The Para Dressage Podcast. In this latest episode we examine the theory that teamwork makes the dream work. We're talking to Team USA's Beatrice de Lavalette, her trainer and coach Shayna Simon, and her groom Rafael Hernandez-Carrillo. We talk about the secrets of a good team, how they formed the unique bond they have, and their hopes for the future.  Enjoy.

In this final episode of The Para Dressage Podcast focussing on the ECCO FEI World Championships, we're joined again by Para Dressage legend Stinna Tange to look back on five sizzling days of competition and to review the predictions we made in the run up to Herning. One of us is crowned queen of Para Dressage, but who? The Podcast is taking a short, planned break now, but we'll be back later in September.

Woth apologies for the delay - life gets in the way - here's the final recap from the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark. We're looking back on the exciting finale to the team competition, and then the whirlwind of medals that is always Freestyle day.

Here's a recap of the first day of the Team competition at the ECCO FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning, Denmark.  

In our review of day two of the ECCO FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, you can hear the reactions of the winners and runners of of yesterday's (Thursday 11 August) Grade III and Grade IV Para Dressage competition. We also have a great little interview with Andrew Parsons, President of the International Paralympic Committee.

In the first of our daily reviews from the ECCO FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning in Denmark we look back on an amazing day which saw two brand new champions crowned, and an old favourite retain her title. It was hot, it was emotional, and it was amazing.

The ECCO FEI World Championships are taking place this week in Herning (Denmark). Over the coming five days, the Orifarm Healthcare FEI Para Dressage World Championship 2022 will see some 83 athletes from 28 countries will battle it out in the arena for the individual and team titles. I'm joined once again by Stinna Tange, double Paralympic bronze medallist from Rio 2016, and, for the next few days only, the current Grade II world champion, to give you our previews and predictions of who to look out for as the competition progresses.

In the last of our athlete interviews ahead of next week's FEI Para Dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark, we talk to Germany's Regine Mispelkamp. Regine talks about her medal achievements in Tryon 2018 and Tokyo 2020, and her hopes for this competition.

In the run up to the Herning 2022 Para Dressage World Championships, here's Great Britain's Grade III European and Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker. She talks about her world championship jinx, and her hopes to beat it in Denmark.

In the second of our interviews with athletes attending this year's FEI Para Dressage World Championships in Herning, Denmark, here's home favourite Katrine Bjelke Kristensen talking about her hopes for the Grade II competition.

In the first of our Herning 2022 specials, Ireland's Grade I athlete Michael Murphy talks about his hopes for the coming World Championships, and how he bounced back from disappointment in Tokyo.

She's back! This time round I'm catching up again with former double World champion Stinna Tange. We talk about visability, life after retirement, the upcoming World championships in her home country, her exciting new career move, and her even more exciting new partnership! You have to listen to find out more. And listen to the very, very end too, you'll understand why.

Welcome to the latest episode of The Para Dressage Podcast.  This time, after a short reflection to honour two giants of the Para Dressage world who have sadly left us recently, we talk to Colombia's up and coming Para Dressage rider, Daniel Valderrama. Daniel is currently spending a year in the UK at the Talland school in Gloucestershire, and talks about his experience of coming to the country in COVID times, what he's learned so far, and his hopes for the coming paris 2024 Paralympic Games and beyond.

In this latest episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we continue our theme of developing the conversation started by The Para Equestrian Digest, the new publication from the FEI. Brazil's Rodolpho Riskalla talks about the support he was given by his employer, Dior, after he was taken seriously ill and left in a coma. You can find Rodolpho's story, and the previous two digests here. 

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast, Team USA's Beatrice De Lavalette becomes our first return guest. Beatrice features in issue two of the FEI's new Para Equestrian Digest where she talks about her recovery from the terrorist attack in Brussels in 2016. She joins us to reflect more on the recovery process from that attack, and to talk about her plans for her future in our sport.

Welcome back to The para Dressage Podcast. Sorry it's been a while. This time we talk to the current grade III double European and Paralympic Champion, Tobias Thorning Jorgensen from Denmark. Tobias tells us about growing up in the Danish Para Dressage world, his debut on the international scene, his memories of Tokyo 2020, and his hopes for this year's World Championships, being held in Denmark.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we wlcome back Amanda Bond, Chair of the FEI's Para Equestrian Technical Committee. Amanda gives us the low down on the FEI's Para Dressage Forum, a bi-annual event that brings together Para Dressage atheletes, grooms, coaches and other stakeholders to discuss all things related to the sport. The most recent Forum was held, online, in January and Amanda recaps the issues discussed there, and the work that comes out of it. And because it's The Para Dressage Podcast, we also reflect again on Tokyo 2020 and look forward to this year's World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we speak to Belgium's Manon Claeys. Our conversation took place while Manon was competing at the Al Shaqab competition in Doha, Qatar, one of the main competitions to kick off the PAra Dressage season. She talks about her time in Doha and the debut of her young horse, and reflects on her bronze medals in Tokyo and at the European Championships.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we speak to top US Para Dressage coach, Ruth Hogan-Poulsen. Ruth coaches both Dressage and Para Dressage and is the personal coach of top US rider, Charlotte Merle-Smith. She is also the author of the Dressage Rider's Journal, which can be used to plan and manage training programmes throughout the year. We discuss Ruth's approach to training,  particulary strategic riding, and how to use the journal.

Following our recent conversation with Team GB's Georgia Wilson, in this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk to Georgia's team mate and coach, Sophie Wells. A regular on Team GB and a multi European, World and Paralympic Champion, Sophie is one of the most respected and recognisable riders in the sport. We reflect on her Tokyo medals (including that now legendary Team gold), her coaching relationship with Georgia, and her background in the sport. And finally, thanks everyone for your support of the podcast. I hope to be a bit more regular in 2022 as we build up to the World Championships.  Whatever you do, have a wonderful Christmas and holiday season, and all the very best for the new year.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk to Team GB's double Tokyo bronze medalllist Georgia Wilson.  Georgia talks about her Tokyo experience and her workiing relationship with her team mate and coach, Sophie Wells.

It's been a while - sorry about that. In this episode we catch up with Sweden's multi Paralympic medallist (including a silver from Tokyo 2020) Louise Etzner. Louise shares how an injury in the summer nearly ruined her chances of getting to the Games, and teaches us that nothing is impossible, it's just a little harder.

A little bit later than planned (work, cold, sorry) I got togther online with Great Britain's Ricky Balshaw to look back on the stunning performances which made the Para Dressage competition at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games one for the history books. We look back on our highlights and low points, and go back through our pre-games predictions to see who was closest.  You can also watch this episode on YouTube.  

In this last episode from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games we hear from the five winners of the Freestyle gold medals. In a record breaking competition, every winner scored plus 80%, and a nine-year-old Paralympic record was shattered.

In this third episode of The Para Dressage Podcast from Tokyo 2020, we look back on an astounding night in the arena, which saw Great Britain clinch the Team gold medal by the closest of margins.   We hear from all three medal winning teams, and there's also a chat with a couple of the volunteers from the Equestrian Centre.

In this second episode of The Para Dressage Podcast, live from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, we look back on two days of sizzling Individual Tests.  We have reaction from all the winners, including Sanne Voets, Roxanne Trunnell, and Sir Lee Pearson, plus a couple of brilliant soundbites. Keep following the podcast for more after the Team Competition.

In the first episode of our special series in conjunction with the International Equestrian Federation, we spent the day before comptition starts talking all things Tokyo with Amanda Bond, Chair of the FEI's Para Equestrian Technical Committee, and with Canada's Bert Sheffield. And following her honour of carrying Belgium's flag at the Games' Opening Ceremony, Michele George talks about what it was like stepping out into the stadium.

In this special Tokyo 2020 episode of the Para Dressage Podcast  Paralympic silver medallist Ricky Balshaw returns to to talk about his role supprting the UK's Channel 4 coverage of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. We also discuss his new career in stand up comedy, and make our predictions for the competition in Tokyo. We filmed this episode too, so if you want, you can watch it on YouTube here.

Beatrice de Lavalette will make her debut Paralympic Games appearance for Team USA in Tokyo next week. The grade II rider has burst onto the para dressage scene over that past 18 months or so. She's currently ranked sixth in the world in her grade, a pretty stellar start to a career however you judge it. And Beatrice's story is one of recovery and rehabilitation from the most devastating incident, all thanks to a horse called DeeDee. 

Continuing our conversations with riders heading to their first Paralympic Games, we catch up with Ireland's grade I rider Michael Murphy. Michael goes to Tokyo off the back one of his best ever competitions at the British Festival of Dressage back in July. He talks about his entry into riding, how he balances training and a full time job, and his hopes for the Games.    

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we continue our conversations with riders who will make their Paralympic debut in Tokyo in a few weeks time. This time round our guest is Belgium's grade V rider Kevin Van Ham. Kevin made his major interational debut at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam, in 2019 and is now in contention for a medal in Japan. 

In this episode of the Para Dressage Podcast we talk to South Africa's Cayla Van Der Walt. Based in Ocala, Florida, Cayla will make her Paralympic Games debut in Tokyo in a few weeks time. We talk about her excitement at that news, her career so far, her hopes for Tokyo, and the challenges of fundraising to help her get there. There's also a surprise drop in from her new team mate.  This episode is the first in a, hopefully, weekly series of chats with those who are going to the Games for the first time.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we try something new. I'm talking to one of the International Equestrain Federation's photographers, Liz Gregg. Liz is one of the main photographers of Para Dressage and is a regular fixture at all the major global championships. Chances are if you've seen pictures from a Europeans, Worlds, or Paralympic Games, it's been taken by Liz. I talk to Liz about some of our favourite pictures. You can see these images @The Para Dressage Pod, on Instagram, or on the Para Dressage pages of Facebook. You can also watch along on YouTUbe here: Alternatively, you can watch along on YouTube here.

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we're talking to South Africa's double Beijing 2008 Paralympic Gold Medallist Philippa Johnson-Dwyer, from South Africa. Philippa was an ambassador for this year's Quadrille competition held in Waregem, Belgium. It's one of the first competitions of the European calendar and often sets the scene for each year. This edition had an added interest of bring one of the first major 3 start competitions in Europe since the start of the pandemic. We talk about that, her memories of Beijing, her new horses, and how there's a horse out there with her name on it, literally.  

Denmark's Stinna Tange is the current grade II individual and freestyle world chapmion. She's also a former European champion, and has been a regular fixture of para dressage podiums since her first major medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games.   Her career so far, however, hasn't been without its emotional challenges. First there was the sudden loss of her beloved first medal-winning horse, Snoevs, and an agonising wait to find out if her Rio 2016 horse would pass the vet check the Games.  In this candid and moving interview she talks about managing all of that, and about the mental health challenges she's faced and beaten in the past few years.

In this episode we talk to Michel Assouline, head coach of Team USA. Michel is the brains behind the incredibly successful Great Britain team and now works for Team USA. In the two years or so since he's been there he's taken the US to the number one spot in the world, and produced a team which, bar a major upset of form, could be one of the mian talking points of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics this summer. He's also just been named Paralympic Coach of the Year by the US Olympic Committee - the first time anyone from Equestrian sport has ever won that award at both Olympic and Paralympic level. Picture courtesy of Andrea Evans/US Equestrian

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk to Sabrina Ibáñez, FEI Secretary General and President of APSO, Bettina De Rham, FEI Director for Para Dressage among other disciplines, and Amanda Bond, FEI Board Member and Chair of the FEI Para Equestrian Committee Questions were submitted by Natasha Baker MBE, Nikki Watson, Daniel Valderrama, Macelle Annette Ward, and Tamsin Addison, for which many thanks. It's a fascinating chat covering COVID, obviously, plus Tokyo, classification, blind and visually impaired riders, and prize money.

In this episode of The Para dressage Podcast my guest is Brazil's double WEG silver medallist Rodolpho Riskalla.  We talk about his move from Paris to Germany, his work with Christian Dior, and his hopes for Tokyo and Paris. There's also a little lesson in Portuguese!

Proper pleasure this week to interview Sanne Voets for the latest episode of The Para Dressage Podcast. We talked freestyle, how to make the best one, the importance of the music, and why it means so much to riders. I also share one of my favourite Rio 2016 stories.   Don't forget to subscribe, and tell your friends!

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk to Ireland's Tamsin Addison. Tamsin is a grade V rider and, while she has been on the Para Dressage scene for a while now, made her major international debut at last year's European Championships in Rotterdam. Tamsin has a background in both sports psychology and marketing and talks about how both can be used to improve performance and profile. It's a fascinating discussion.

Nicky Greenhill is one of Para Dressage's top visually impaired athletes. In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast she talks about how she visualises the arena, and how her husband Gary's voice helps guide her around it. We also discuss the importance of sports pyschology and what makes a good horse for Nicky, and look back on some of her career highlights. And, of course, her guide dogs Sparky and Hebe get a mention too! And here are the all important links I talked about too. FEI Awards  Lee Pearson's autobiography

In this episode of The Para Dressage Podcast we talk to two of Para Dressage's greatest friends, and competition rivals, former Team GB member Ricky Balshaw, and Team GB stalwart, and the Godfather of Para Dressage, Sir Lee Pearson CBE. The recording was made using a different platform to one we usually use, so please excuse some minor sound issues. But enjoy the chat.