Marita Hird
2000 Australian Paralympic team portrait of Hird
Personal information
Nationality Australia
Born25 February 1971 (1971-02-25) (age 52)
Kew, Victoria, Australia
Medal record
Para equestrian
Representing  Australia
Paralympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2000 SydneyMixed Dressage
Freestyle grade III

Marita Hird (born 25 February 1971)[1] is a Paralympic equestrian competitor from Australia. She won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games in the Mixed Dressage – Freestyle grade III event.[2]

Action shot of Hird, shown on her horse O.P. Fleur, at the 2000 Summer Paralympics

Personal

Hird was born in Kew, Victoria.[1] She was a jockey until 1993 when she fell from her horse during a race.[3] Hird broke her neck in three places[4] and was advised that she was an incomplete quadriplegic.[3] However, after nine months Hird learned to walk again and began riding horses as a form of therapy.[3]

Sporting career

After being encouraged to compete in dressage, Hird won bronze at the World Championships in Aarhus Denmark.[5] She went on to win bronze in the Mixed Dressage - Freestyle grade III event at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney.[1] Hird also represented Australia at the 2004 Paralympics where she just missed out on a medal.[3] At the 2006 Pacific Rim Championships, held in Vancouver, Hird won three silver medals.[3][5] She credits some of her success to Manolo Mendez, who gave her guidance.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Australian Media Guide : 2000 Paralympic Games. Sydney: Australian Paralympic Committee. 2000.
  2. ↑ "Athlete Search Results". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Marita Hird". The Australian Equestrian Federation - South Australian Branch. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  4. ↑ "The Current Equestrian Paralympic Preparation Squad". Riding For the Disabled Association Australia. Archived from the original on 9 April 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Marita Hird". Dubbo Eventing & Showjumping Association. Archived from the original on 11 December 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.


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