Kate Shoemaker

Started: She took up equestrian at age 14 and started competing in eventing and dressage in 2000. (paralympic.org, 13 Sep 2018) Reason: "I was one of those children who begged for a pony from an early age. Despite coming from a non-horsey family, I was in love with horses from as early as I can remember. One Christmas morning, when I was 14, I received a bridle in my stocking. It did not matter to me that I did not have a horse to go with it. As a horse-crazy kid, that bridle was the best gift I could imagine. Then a gift beyond my wildest dreams appeared, a video tape at the bottom of my stocking with three bay thoroughbreds to choose from." (paralympic.org, 13 Sep 2018) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (chronofhorse.com, 21 Mar 2022) Additional Info: OCCUPATION She has worked as a veterinarian at Velocity Equine Sports Medicine in Wellington, FL, United States of America. "I owe my dressage training to developing a sharp eye as an equine veterinarian. My passion is for sports medicine and having the ability to recognise lameness and treat horses effectively. These go hand in hand with bringing out the best in our amazing equine partners. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a horse perform at its best. It's the opportunity to give back to the horses for all that they have given me. The equine veterinary industry is a 24/7 type of job, but being self-employed allows me the flexibility to follow my riding dreams. It's not always an easy balance but I always make time for training, on and off the horse." (Facebook profile, 19 Dec 2023; uset.org, 07 Apr 2021; paralympic.org, 13 Sep 2018)