I apply for the position of Athlete Representative for the discipline of Para Equestrian

Civility

Family Name, Name

Year of Birth

Nationality

Languages

IZI Ms 0 Mrs 0 Mr 0 Dr

Kearney Helen

1989

Irish

English

Individually 12th at Paralympics in Rio

Individually 6th at the Europeans

Individually 5th at the World Championships

Individually 4th at the Europeans

Individual Parlympic la Silver Medalist, Freestyle Bronze Medalis t and I was part of the Irish team that won Bronze

Individual European 1a Bronze Medalist

Worked in finance Department of Allianz Insurance

Equastrian C oach

Graduated from Univers ait y with a Commerce Degree

30/04/2018

Date

Boherboy, Dunlavin,

Co. Wicklow, Ireland

helen.paraequestrian@gmail.com helenkearney.ie

085 7387570

25th April 2018

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing to express my interest in the position of FEI Para Dressage Athletes Representative

I have been involved in Para Dressage since 2008. I started simply at junior level in 1* competitions, I moved up to senior level and I got the opportunity to compete at 3* competitions around Europe. I have represented Ireland at European, World and Paralympic level, most notably I competed at the Paralympic’s in London and Rio. My biggest success to date was winning three medals at the London Paralympics, individual silver and bronze and I helped the Irish team secure bronze too.

I feel I have a good grasp of the different grades because I have competed at different levels. I suffer with a rare disease called Friedreich’s Ataxia, it is degenerative in nature and I began riding at Grade 4 level (old grade III), I was re-classified to Grade 2 (1b) and finally Grade 1 (1a) in 2010.

Ireland is a small island and I understand the various difficulties involved in competing at such a high level, accessing good training, travel, the importance of attending international competitions in order to develop your skills.

I have gained so much from being involved in Para Equestrian Dressage and I would love to represent other riders and help them to get as much from the sport as I have. This sport has taught and continues to teach me about horses. More than that it has taught me the importance of organization and strategy. Working with various different trainers has shown me that everyone can add something, big or small. I hope that with all the sport has taught me, that I could make a good riders representative

I hope you consider my application

Yours Sincerely

______________________________ Helen Kearney