High in the saddle

FOR JULIE Tankard there is no greater thrill than being in the saddle, guiding a horse over tricky fences in the show-jumping ring, and across water-logged gullies and down steep banks on cross-country courses.

To the experienced horsewoman, the surge of adrenalin that comes with the strenuous sport of eventing - dressage, show jumping and cross-country - cannot be beaten.

For years Julie, 57, took part, travelling all over the country to compete in horse trials. "I loved it. It was a joy - the beautiful countryside and the exhilaration of clearing the fences, the adrenalin kick. You didn't sleep the night before if you knew of a fence you thought you'd have difficulty with. It was marvellous."

Unfortunately, it is in the past tense that Julie talks about the sport she loves. Because, sadly, she had to stop competing when she was diagnosed with a debilitating disease. But, with her optimistic outlook, she has played the situation to her advantage and has found a new equestrian sport which has kept her in the saddle - a sport in which she excels to such an extent that she has represented Great Britain.

Julie's love of horses is rooted in her childhood. "From the age of about six I rode ponies belonging to my cousins. I rode within the safe confines of their stable yard. They had a lovely estate around the house and later I rode around the countryside. I started going over little jumps and loved it."

She stopped riding aged about 14, when other interests took over. Years later - after she had started a family with husband Roger - her interest was re-kindled.

The master of the local hunt was a friend and invited Julie to ride their horses. "They had to be exercised daily. I loved it - it could not have been a nicer introduction to riding again."

Julie, who grew up in Pudsey and now lives near Skipton, began competing in hunter trials.

She entered whenever she could, riding her friends' horses. But her passion for eventing came to the fore in 1979 when she bought her own horse - Joseph. She immediately felt comfortable with him. "He was a very talented jumper - a real natural, and a pleasure to ride. He made competing all the more enjoyable."

Julie and Joseph took part in a string of competitions over the March to October season, often being placed in the top three.

"It was wonderful - the camaraderie, the atmosphere. The other riders were such a nice bunch of people. They were competitive but also kind and helpful. And the locations were wonderful - Chatsworth, Blenheim, Windsor Park."

She first experienced the health problems which threatened to affect her riding 15 years ago. "I started having difficulty walking. There was no pain, but I couldn't move as easily as I would normally, and because of the way I was walking, people would say 'Have you hurt your leg'?"

Her condition was diagnosed by a neurologist as a form of spastic paraplegia, which prevents messages from her brain reaching her legs. "The nerves in my brain are not telling my legs what to do," explains Julie. The disease is hereditary and has struck three of Julie's cousins and an aunt. It is not marked by a rapid deterioration, more a gradual loss of movement. Says Julie: "It has been slow and you accommodate it as you go along."

Over the years since its onset the disease slowed Julie down, but it did not stop her. She goes skiing, and has even tried her hand at paragliding. Yet, eventually, she was forced to withdraw from horse trials. "I was having trouble walking the course to look at the fences, which is vital, so my husband bought me a child's motor bike which was great. But unfortunately it was stolen. Then there was the driving - there and back, with the horses, and competing - it's a very energetic few days."

To add to this, Joseph had grown too old to compete. So, reluctantly, Julie - who gets about on crutches - realised she could no longer carry on and would have to enjoy eventing from the sidelines. "It was hard, but it was the only decision to make," she says.

Julie, who has a 30-year-old son, Scott, missed the thrill and excitement enormously. Then a conversation with a friend turned her life around. says Julie: "My friend runs Riding for the Disabled in Lancashire. She suggested I join, and added that they were looking for people to compete internationally."

Julie decided to give it a go. With the RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association), disabled riders are graded from one to four according to their disability, with one being the most severe. Initially Julie was graded four.

In 1996 she found a new horse, a grey mare called Willow who showed much promise in dressage - the training of a horse in deportment and movement controls to demonstrate suppleness, straightness and obedience. Julie's friend suggested she concentrate on that.

It paid off, and less than a year later Julie and Willow were picked to compete in their first international event in Gloucestershire where they came third. Two years later, at the same championship they took home a second and two thirds.

Selections for the World Championships followed. says Julie: "It was nerve-wracking, competing against other riders for a place on the team." She need not have worried, winning two sections, one riding Willow and one another horse.

Riders from 28 nations - as far afield as Peru, Japan, North America and New Zealand as well as many European countries - took part in the championships held in Denmark in July. Julie and Willow came home with a team gold, an individual silver and a bronze medal for "the kur" - dressage to music.

The event was one of the high points of Julie's life. "The whole occasion was magic - it was a wonderful place and everyone was so kind."

She is particularly grateful to a number of sponsors who helped to make it possible, in particular West Yorkshire-based Caldene and Champion hat manufacturers of Leeds. "People have been very generous, and I have sponsorship for training from another source," she adds. She also receives help from three different coaches.

Julie does not think of herself as disabled, yet she realises that her disability has enabled her to ride for Great Britain. "If I was not disabled I would not be competing for my country - there is no way that would happen were I able-bodied. I was thrilled to be picked and thrilled to compete. To bring back medals was a bonus. I was very proud, and have met some wonderful people."

Levels of disability among competitors vary greatly. says Julie: "Some people are blind, others suffer from multiple sclerosis, and there are those with no legs riding by pure balance. Yet that is the marvellous thing about riding for the disabled - you get on the horse and you're mobile. When I'm riding, no-one would know I was disabled."

Now graded three as her disability has grown more serious, Julie is now hoping to be selected for the Sydney Paralympics next year. "I would love to go. It has given me something to work towards. You have to get up on bitterly cold mornings to ride your horse - it's easier to do if you have a purpose."

Nine riders went to Denmark - only four or five will go to Australia. If Julie is selected, her husband Roger - who has been hugely supportive - will go with her.

She still misses eventing - her first love - and goes to watch friends. But, with 11-year-old Willow, she has found a new niche. The disease appears for the meantime to have stabilised. Julie has a lot to be happy about. "I can still drive, and of course ride - and as long as I can do that I will be fine."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.