Bel Dabic, a Year 11 student at Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School, starred in the recent Virtus Open European Equestrian Championships, taking home two Silver medals. Virtus is the global organisation that governs, advocates, organises, and promotes elite sport for athletes with an intellectual impairment. It is a founding member of the International Paralympic Committee and has a membership of over 500,000 athletes from 90 nations.

Riders take part in an innovative video competition, where countries submit footage of their athletes according to strict regulations. Bel, who has been riding since she was five years old, competed with 19-year-old Tommy, a horse borrowed from local surrounding stables which she was matched to based on her video competitions and reports from coaches.

“It was a bit daunting to ride a new horse and it was really challenging to do so. I really enjoyed meeting my horse, Tommy and really making an effort to connect with him so we could connect in the arena,” said Bel.

Bel was fortunate to have a team of very experienced Australian coaches (including former Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School student, Sharon Jarvis who is currently in the UK training as a reserve for the Australian Paralympic Dressage Team) help her to navigate Tommy’s aids and ensure she could weave him around the small arena, in the specified test pattern.

“I was really lucky to have such a supportive team including my fellow competitors and the coaches who included my home dressage coach, Sharon,” she explained.

Bel plans to continue dressage and eventing and take advantage of opportunities that come her way.

“I am really grateful to Virtus and sport inclusion and all the volunteers and organisers that create these kinds of opportunities, for me and my fellow team members,” she added.