Ffrosty rider hot on the trot

THE Paris Paralympics may still be a couple of years away, but it’s likely the Ballarat region will be taking a keen interest in some local talent.

Gordon-based equestrian athlete Kelly Ffrost, and horse Dijon, are on a pathway to the games, as a Fédération Equestre Internationale para dressage team that’s currently ranked 31st in the world.

They train with Equine Pathways in Narre Warren and are on the Australian Institute of Sport Generation Next Para-Equestrian High-Performance Squad.

“I’m current Australian National Champion, and I’m hoping to get my second national champion title in October,” she said.

“My dressage tests involve walk-trot movements some lateral movements, but not many, and the judges, up to seven of them in Paralympics and three in normal competitions, mark us on everything.

“You get good feedback from all the different judges, so you know what to focus your energy on for the upcoming competitions.”

Looking towards Paris 2024, Ffrost said she will be very proud if she can reach the highest level in her sport.

“You’re working with an animal and don’t know what the horse is going to do, so it’s unpredictable, but I’m hoping for the best,” she said.

“It’s going to be a big challenge but lots of fun. Hopefully I can go to another country and show off my country.”

Ffrost grew up riding with a pony club, and then got into hobby trail riding, but after a spinal cord injury, her next chapter was parasport.

“I couldn’t stop riding. It was a part of me,” she said. “My horse Charlie is at home and retired now, but he was my steppingstone.

“I have four kids, so I love that horse riding gets me out of the house and gives me something else to focus on other than family life.

“It’s also been one of the best things for my mental health, because otherwise I would have sat at home and moped.”

Ffrost also receives competition, and strength and conditioning support, from the WestVic Academy of Sport.