Paralysed rider battles to compete in Rio

An Irish showjumper who was told she would never walk again after a riding accident is fighting for a place at the Rio Paralympics.

Crushing fall

Emma Cahill’s spine was crushed when a horse fell on her, causing damage to her spinal cord, which doctors said would leave her paralysed from the waist down.

However, six weeks after the accident, the 26-year-old felt a twinge in her thigh, giving her hope that she would walk again. She spent the next 11 months in hospital getting back on her feet.

“While my back healed, I couldn’t sit, so my options were: lie down or stand up in a special device,” said Emma, who comes from Cabinteely in Dublin.

“Standing, when you can’t feel anything from the waist down and have no idea if your feet are touching the floor, is very strange, but is definitely better for the mind than lying in bed.”

Boosting recovery

Two years after the accident Emma took up para dressage. She competes in grade III level on Capitol Coin (Red), a 19-year-old eventer, who took her from her very first novice test in 2013 to the CPEDI 3* international at Hartpury less than 12 months later. She has also been selected for Paralympics Ireland’s new fast track programme.

“Little did I know when I started, how complicated this pony dancing stuff would be,” said Emma. “I’m no stranger to hard work, but the training and discipline I’ve needed to make a dent in the para equestrian world have played a huge part in boosting my recovery from the accident.

Emma also received financial help from the George Mernagh Memorial Bursary. She used the money for training, entries and accommodation, and also paid for Paralympic fast track teammate Austen Burns and his horse to travel with her.

Fairy dust

Emma now hopes to compete in Rio next year. In order to get there she needs to qualify for the Para Dressage European Championships in Deauville in September on a new loan horse, who is based in Belgium.

“Red is getting too old for international duty so I’m working on getting a younger horse qualified to aid my chances of selection by the Irish team,” said Emma.

To raise the money needed to help achieve her goal, she has launched a crowdfunding campaign onPledgeSports.org, entitled ‘impossible is temporary’.

“My 2014 season was funded by fairy dust and good will,” she said. “I work full-time and a lot of my budget is still going into paying hospital bills, so putting money aside is not the easiest task.

Spinal injury mentor

Such is Emma’s remarkable recovery she is a spinal injuries Ireland mentor and has been working with several organisations to promote spinal injury support and technology.

“My progress in this sport and recovery since my accident would have not been possible without all the people behind me,” she added.