ENSW Social Inclusion Project - Para Equestrian

We need your help!

Equestrian NSW has been awarded a grant from the Australian Government Department of Health Driving Social Inclusion Through Sport and Physical Activity Program.

The primary aim of the grant is to provide opportunities for people with a disability to participate in physical activities, increase our acceptance of diversity, build inclusive communities and assist vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals and their families to develop social links through sport.

Our project is focused on grass-roots participation in equestrian sport, this means supporting more people with a disability to come and try dressage.

Project activities will include:
• Workshops/seminars for riders with a disability, coaches, officials and event organisers
• Awareness training for the UN Convention of Rights for People with a Disability (CRPD) and how this relates to equestrian sport
• Investigating and trialing options for participation by riders and non-riders with a disability in equestrian sport
• Trialing a new category of competition and training for riders not yet ready or eligible for Para dressage with more flexibility so that more people can participate at the level they feel most comfortable.
• Encouraging and supporting clubs to provide opportunities for competition and other activities for people with a disability
• Providing skills development opportunities for people with a disability to participate in dressage activities as non-riders through roles as club members, event or rider support staff and officials
• Looking at new ways to support aspiring Para Dressage riders through the classification process so they are ready to join-in to events as soon as possible

The project will run until December 2022 and will provide opportunities to investigate, trial and make recommendations for increasing participation for people with a disability in dressage across Australia.

How can you help?
Clubs: Send us your expression of interest to be involved in this program, Clubs are the gateway to make this project a true success. The project working group is here to support you
Aspiring Riders: If you are not yet classified but interested in the process, get in touch, we are here to help!
Current Para Riders: Are you currently competing as a para rider? Although this project is not aimed at you we hope some of you will be able to contribute through demonstrations and providing feedback. Stay tuned for some exciting news from Equestrian NSW for Para riders.
Coaches, Judges, stewards, classifiers and other officials: We need you to! Get in touch to express interest in attending a workshop, they will begin from March 2021 and will be open to everybody.
Everyone: Spreading the word to clubs, coaches, officials, riding schools, people with a disability in your area, local service clubs, rehabilitation centres or anyone else you think might be interested.

Want to know more?
Please follow the link below to join our stakeholder and communications list!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ENSWsocialinclusionprojectEOI

Project Working Group Members: Bruce Farrar ENSW CEO, Sue Cunningham (DNSW/FEI Judge), Debbie Eisenhauer-Rodney (Sydney Dressage Club and Disability Services advocate), Amelia Curic (Northside Riding Club) and Natalie Smith (Para Shooting Paralympian and Equestrian athlete).

Project updates will soon be available on the ENSW website and via facebook and please get in contact at any time with Project Officer Jenny Carroll [email protected] for more information