Dianne Barnes

Started: She began riding at age four. "Like most kids I started off in Pony Club, then I started to break in a few local ponies and horses to earn some money. I left school in year 10 and then went to work with racing trainers Mark and Jim Houlihan, where I stayed for the next seven years. I also won leading lady jockey for a couple of those years. Then I got married and had the children and thought I had better be a little bit more sedate, so I went and did a bit of showjumping and low grade eventing and loved that." (theregional.com.au, 04 Oct 2023; equinepathways.org.au, 15 Jan 2023) Reason: Before her impairment she competed in equestrian jumping and dressage as well as horse racing. She was encouraged to take up Para equestrian dressage by her daughter Jodie. "Jodie contacted Julia Battams at Para Pathways [in Australia] and we went over to be assessed. We were graded level five and that was the start of my Para riding career." (theregional.com.au, 04 Oct 2023; gofundme.com, 15 Jul 2022; Jodie Barnes Facebook profile, 01 May 2022) Awards: In 2022 she was named Victorian Para Athlete of the Year in Australia. (vis.org.au, 22 Sep 2023) Additional Info: HORSE FAREWELL She rode her daughter Jodie's horse Cil Dara Cosmic [Stella] when she first took up Para equestrian dressage. Dianne and Stella competed at the 2022 World Championships in Herning, Denmark. Stella passed away in December 2022, and Dianne has since ridden Sorena. "Jodie did the most selfless thing a person can do [after she acquired her impairment], she gave me her horse [Stella] to ride and enjoy before I was going to retire. Jodie and I both hurt and miss her every single day. If it wasn't for Stella taking me on that journey, I probably wouldn't have the ride on the beautiful Sorena. Two very different horses but both of them champions. Stella gave me wings and Sorena the ability to fly with them." (theregional.com.au, 04 Oct 2023, 16 Aug 2023; eurodressage.com, 13 Dec 2022) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as an assessor in jumping and dressage for Equestrian Victoria in Australia. (theregional.com.au, 04 Oct 2023)

Sporting Relatives: Her daughter Jodie has served as her groom. She has also competed in non-Para dressage at grand prix level. (Jodie Barnes Facebook profile, 10 Feb 2024; theregional.com.au, 04 Oct 2023)