Suzanna Hext

Started: She had been involved in competitive swimming at club level with the Swindon Dolphin ASC before deciding to apply for international classification for Para swimming. She was classified in early 2017 and began competing the same year. "I've been swimming with Swindon Dolphin ASC for a few years [prior to 2017] but I just did club competitions with them." (swindonadvertiser.co.uk, 19 Jul 2019; horseandhound.co.uk, 24 Jan 2019) Reason: She initially began swimming to help improve her fitness alongside her involvement in elite Para equestrian dressage competitions. "When I first started training with Swindon Dolphins it was alongside the able-bodied swimmers and it's just the sense of feeling on a level with everyone, and you kind of forget about your disability and all your challenges fade away. I really enjoy it." (swindonadvertiser.co.uk, 19 Jul 2019; horseandhound.co.uk, 24 Jan 2019) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (easystand.co.uk, 13 Nov 2023) Awards: She was presented with the 2021 Inspiration of the Year Award by Swim England South West. (thisiswiltshire.co.uk, 11 Nov 2021) She was named the 2019 Swimmer of the Year by Swindon ASC in England. (Facebook page, 02 Feb 2020) In 2019 she was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Agricultural University [RAU] in Cirencester, England. (rau.ac.uk, 28 Oct 2019) In 2019 she won the Swim England South West Personal Achievement Award. (swindonasc.co.uk, 01 Feb 2020) In 2018 she was named Old Millfieldian of the Year by Millfield School in Glastonbury, England. (Instagram profile, 27 Aug 2018) Additional Info: MULTI-TALENTED She has competed in both Para equestrian dressage and Para swimming at international level. "With riding there are lots of highs and lows, as with any sport, and swimming helps me switch off. I've always been extremely active and it was difficult for me after my accident not having that other side of my life. When I was eventing I used to do cross-country running but swimming gives me the same feeling and freedom, much like riding does. It's something I'm really passionate about and it's helped me in the saddle, I'm a lot stronger in the saddle with my core and stamina so it's only enhancing my performance." (easystand.co.uk, 13 Nov 2023; horseandhound.co.uk, 24 Jan 2019) SWIMMING IN TOKYO She had ambitions to compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo in both equestrian dressage and swimming, but due to the scheduling of the events she decided to focus on swimming. She finished fourth in the S5 100m and 200m freestyle events, but then had to go home early after experiencing repeated asthma attacks in Tokyo. "This is extremely tough as it's not how I wanted my Paralympics to end but after two trips to hospital and three asthma attacks that have left me unconscious three times, it's just not safe for me to continue. To add to all this I've got a nasty double ear infection but somehow my incredible body fought so hard to come fourth in two Paralympic finals. Naively at the time, yes I knew I was ill, but I didn't know I was that ill." (easystand.co.uk, 13 Nov 2023; bbc.com, 27 Jan 2022; Propulsion Swimming YouTube channel, 18 Nov 2021; gloucestershirelive.co.uk, 29 Aug 2021; horseandhound.co.uk, 03 Jul 2021, 23 Feb 2020; eurodressage.com, 01 Mar 2020; telegraph.co.uk, 25 Feb 2020; swindonadvertiser.co.uk, 19 Jul 2019) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as a charity ambassador for Wiltshire Air Ambulance in England. (Facebook page, 16 Oct 2023; theswindonian.co.uk, 08 Apr 2022)