Bridle path to Paris

By Tina Seirlis

Vouloir c’est pouvoir’ is often said to be the French equivalent of our English ‘where there is a will, there is a way’. If this is the case, then Gordon-based para-equestrian dressage rider Kelly Ffrost is living proof of both.

Raised in Coimadai, riding horses since age three, and now a mother of four living on 11 acres, Kelly Ffrost is neither a stranger to horses, a challenge, or Moorabool Shire. Ms Ffrost (Welsh surname correctly spelled with two ffs) became a T10 paraplegic in 2017 following an aneurism that caused a blockage to her aorta, resulting in no sensation or movement above her waistline.

Following a chance recommendation from her cleaner, Kelly was able to reconnect with her love of horse riding via Equine Pathways Australia.
“Their recreation therapist Shelley came and picked me up and took me for a ride, and I haven’t looked back since,” she said.

“I really enjoy riding and I don’t want to be sitting at home doing nothing. It keeps me out and keeps me going.”

Dedication and hard work has enabled Ffrost to secure a coveted position on Equestrian Australia’s ParaEquestrian High Performance Generation Next Squad, which in turn provides the selection pathway towards a place on the Australian Equestrian team at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“I’m hoping to move up a level. Hopefully if I get the scores at the next event, I can move into the Green Squad which is podium ready, with podium potential.”

To achieve her goal, Kelly trains four times a week, spending a total of 12 hours travelling to and from her competition horses Karabil Park Janz in Narre Warren, and Revel Wood Obsession in Romsey, for a total of seven hours riding. The relationship between horse and rider is critical to Ffrost’s success as a paraequestrian.

“I love the bond you can create with horses; they are lovely animals. They can pick up on your moods and everything. Some of them have really quirky natures, just like a person,” she said.

“They obviously have to be switched on and listening to you. Janz is really well trained and was previously another disabled rider’s horse, for a blind rider. I’ve been training with him for six months or so, and he’s going really well. He needs to be able to ride with you and make some decisions for you.”

To support the costs of the selection process towards the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Ms Ffrost is holding a fundraiser with the funding to be used for, entering the competition per horse, travelling the horses to and from the competitions, stabling, and also for a carer.

“My carer helps with travel including setting up my tent as I normally camp on site.”

If then chosen for Paris it is anticipated that Paralympics Australia would fund some of the costs for athletes including equipment.

“It would be pretty exhilarating to get to Paris, and I’d also be a little bit nervous. I haven’t been overseas since I was five years old with mum and dad,” Ms Ffrost concluded.

Those wishing to support Kelly’s journey can visit https://asf.org.au/projects/kelly-to-paris-2024