Special Olympics Australia is calling on Victorians to volunteer their time and horses for the upcoming equestrian event in the 10th Special Olympics National Games, to be held in Melbourne 20 – 25 October 2014.
The National Games will see almost 1000 athletes with an intellectual disability from around Australia compete in 16 Olympic-style and demonstration sports, cheered on by coaches and fans in the stands.
The equestrian competition will be held at Werribee Park Equestrian Centre, with 28 Australian athletes competing in dressage, equitation, prix caprilli and working trails. Eight local athletes will represent Victoria in the equestrian competition.
President of Riding for the Disabled Association Victoria, Lesley Hewitt, said the partnership with the Special Olympics National Games provided an important pathway for riders with an intellectual disability.
“We need to secure 30 horses for our riders to compete on during the competition. We’re looking for horses that are steady, free moving and unflappable in nature and around 15 hands high in size (or higher).
“The welfare of the horses in our care is a priority, and I would also encourage expressions of interest from horse owners and equestrian enthusiasts to join us as volunteers at the upcoming Special Olympics National Games in October,” Ms Hewitt said.
Special Olympics National Games ambassador and 2012 London Paralympics gold-medal winner, Joann Formosa, will join in supporting equestrian athletes and volunteers during the competition.
Special Olympics Australia is the leading provider of regular sports participation and competition for people with an intellectual disability.
The National Games are held every four years in Australia and serve as the platform for athletes to represent the country at the Special Olympics World Summer Games – held in Los Angeles in 2015.
Games information for horse owners
- Special Olympics Australia needs 30 horses for its National Games 2014 equestrian competition, size 15 hands high (HH) or more
- Horses will ideally be steady, free moving, unflappable in nature and able to cope with riders of varying ability who all have an intellectual disability
- Volunteers are also needed to care for the horses and support the athletes during competition
- Owners are encouraged to stay with their horse in Melbourne and act as groom, plait and lead as
- necessary. If you are unable to stay, we will have a groom available (one groom: two horses)
- Hay will be provided for horses but owners need to supply hard feed
- Horses will need to be onsite from the morning of Tuesday 21 October (horse/rider matching that day) until the evening of Thursday 24 October
- Horse owners interested in volunteering their time, and horse/s should email a small profile of their horse/s including details of its temperament, experience, height, size of barrel and weight bearing type
About Special Olympics National Games
Special Olympics Australia today supports more than 8000 athletes with an intellectual disability in 61 accredited programs nationwide, catering for people of all ages, all abilities and at all levels of competition. The organisation creates sports training, coaching, competition and mentoring opportunities, so that people with an intellectual disability can reach their personal best, in sport and in life. The inaugural Special Olympics Australia National Games took place in 1986, with athletes competing in six sports in Launceston, Tasmania. Now held in Australia every four years, this will be the second time Melbourne has hosted the National Games.