disabled Ride R and handle R classes

by Shannen Galavin

A Queensland based advocate for equality in the equestrian show ring, Marilyn Stocks introduced a grand plan in 2018 that would see disability classes brought into the Queensland agricultural show circuit.

It was a plan that would see many dreams turned into realities, with lifelong budding equestrians finally stepping into the ring, after years (and even lifetimes) spent sitting on the sidelines as spectators.

For Marilyn, there was no grand ‘light bulb’ moment when she happened upon the idea of introducing disability classes into the agricultural show circuit.

“There’s really nothing exciting about how I came up with the idea,” Marilyn

Riding for Disabled groups around Australia also provide opportunity for those with a disability to enjoy safe, healthy, therapeutic activities.

While these events all cater well to those aiming for the higher level competition or the theraputic riding, the disabled classes at Queensland agricultural shows opens up a wider option for many who may just like to be involved and show their horses.

MarilynStocks

never in the ring they yearned to be in as there were no classes specifically catering to the disabled handler/rider. She knew, with absolute conviction, that there was an entire group of people out there who were not being catered for and possibly wouldn’t be if someone didn’t step-up and set something in motion.

So Marilyn decided she’d be the one to step up and began collecting all the information required in order to present a solid case that the show societies couldn’t refuse. It was a long haul, and not an easy fight for an individual entity with an idea… but perseverance has paid off and Marilyn’s concept has won-over many of the organisers.

Despite this success, the introduction of these classes was not without some significant challenges. Although she initially thought it would be a relatively easy feat,

Marilyn met with some resistance, with some organisers saying that people with disabilities

‘didn’t belong in the show rings’ and that they were concerned their presence posed duty of care risks.

“People with disabilities are no different to you or me,” Marilyn affirmed. “We know the risks when getting on a horse, as do they. Point out a show where you don’t see an able-bodied person fall off. At the end of the day, disabled handlers/riders complete a waiver form as you or I do, and they compete no differently.”

In her passionate endeavours to advocate for others, Marilyn wanted to see all disabilities represented in the ring - not just disabilities that tick certain boxes. These classes allow people with all kinds of disabilities, regardless if you can see them or not.

It’s about teaching people to accommodate everyone. There will always be the narrow-minded people, but hopefully with agricultural shows getting behind this, it encourages more riders and handlers and overall, more acceptance from everyone.”

The true reward for Marilyn’s work is not in dollars or cents. There are no grand accolades or recognitions for her many hours of research and dedicated work. The true reward is in the ring at the show … where those who have watched from the sidelines now get to be involved and showing in the ring.

At this stage it appears other state agricultural societies have not followed the lead of Queensland and introduced Disabled classes for riders and handlers in their shows, however when contacted, most were interested in the concept.

Perhaps each state will need to find their own passionate ‘Marilyn Stocks’ advocate before we see a truly national opportunity for disabled riders and handlers to compete at shows in all states.

For Melissa, her great love of showing always ran true and deep. She yearned to be in the ring … but she struggled greatly finding her place in the open rings. Living with an intellectual disability, fibromyalgia and debilitating anxiety, Melissa is no stranger to overcoming obstacles in her lifetime.

In 2019 she found a Facebook post made by Marilyn Stocks, promoting a new range of disability classes in the agricultural show circuit. The rest, as they say, is history. “It encouraged me to keep trying, and to have a go at competing. These classes are absolutely amazing. To have the support of Marilyn, other competitors and the judges and stewards, is absolutely fantastic. Without these classes, I would never have achieved my lifelong dreams of riding at a Royal Show.”

Having tragically and unexpectedly lost her sister in December 2021, Melissa credits these disability classes with giving her an opportunity to have made some precious memories with her beloved sister that she otherwise may never have had the chance to make. Riding her sister’s one-eyed chestnut Thoroughbred, she remembers fondly her time in the disability classes… with her sister cheering her on from the sidelines as her greatest support. Through these classes, Melissa has had the opportunity to make memories to treasure for a lifetime, and a chance to savour a moment that was once out of reach and was only enjoyed from the spectators’ stands.

Thirteen year old Beau Catalano has Prader-Willi Syndrome, one of just 300 in Australia with this medical condition. Throughout his young life, Beau has known a lot of isolation, is frequently housebound and subject to the social exclusion that is all too common for those living with disabilities.

Despite always having a grand love of horses, there have been significant blockades for Beau, with limited access to classes and competitions that were willing to accommodate and include him.

Through the power of Facebook, his mum, Ros, stumbled across a post by Marilyn, advertising for up and coming disability classes. Ros couldn’t believe it. Nothing like this had ever been available before. What Ros discovered was equal parts exciting and heartwarming… someone had actually started a competitive ring that Beau could finally participate in.

Beau competed at his first ever show, in the disability rings at the Marburg Show with his beloved pony, Lucky. His exuberant joy at finally being in that ring was priceless. Beau then went on to take home the Champion sash at the Brisbane Ekka, proudly addressing the throngs of spectators over the microphone.

Ros recalls this as being one of their utmost greatest moments together, made possible only by Marilyn and her drive to open up the ring to include people who are all too often excluded.

“These classes have given Beau a growth in his self esteem, confidence and improved speech, by Beau talking and interacting with so many people at the different shows we go to. It followed with Beau becoming more socially interactive in our community.”

Ros holds these disability classes in the highest regard,

Mikaela Galavin

and her Quarter Horse mare Delphine’s Delilah.

For 22-year old Mikaela Galavin from Bribie Island (Qld), living with autism has meant being excluded. She has come to expect exclusion throughout her life. As a child, this came in the form of social events such as birthday parties or sleepovers. This sense of exclusion has continued into her adulthood, as certain things lay just beyond her reach… horse shows included.

Held back by the isolation and crippling anxiety that is so familiar for those on the spectrum, Mikaela resigned herself to forever being a spectator at the equestrian ring, sitting quietly in the spectators stands… she never thought she’d be a competitor. Not in this lifetime...that is until she happened upon a Facebook post for the Beaudesert Show Society, advertising disability classes. She hadn’t heard of these classes, but figured it was her grand chance to be out in the ring for the very first time. Mikaela lived two and a half hours away from Beaudesert and didn’t own a horse float, but she let none of this stop her in her grand endeavour to compete.

On the day of the show, as competitors were called to gather for the disability classes, the energy was incredible. Competitors began swarming forward, many with a support person in tow, but all evidently overwhelmed with pride to be in that ring.

First-time competitor Mikaela never dreamt she’d ever be welcomed as a competitor and it was thanks to Marilyn Stocks that Mikaela achieved a lifelong dream that day. Her hands were shaking as she held the lead of her Quarter Horse mare Delphine’s Delilah and stood to be judged. There was a moment of total elation and then utter sobs as the judge awarded Mikaela a trophy and a red second-place sash. Mikaela wept in the ring - tears of joy and acceptance, tears of belonging and jubilation. What for someone looking on may have been a simple ribbon and a small placing in a local agricultural show, for Mikaela it was the realisation of a lifelong dream.

The classes were made possible through the dedication and advocacy of a woman who saw a gap and fought hard to fill it, inspiring many generations of equestrians who can now leave the spectators’ stands and join the ring…. where they are welcomed.

For more information on the events you can view Disability Riding Classes in our ag shows on facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1085398961822693

Consideration should be given to circle size and speed of travel when working young horses as frequent circular exercise may lead to bone and joint abnormalities, even at slow speeds.