Marita Hird Explained

Marita Hird
Birth Place:Kew, Victoria, Australia

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]

Personal

Hird was born in Kew, Victoria.[3] She was a jockey until 1993 when she fell from her horse during a race.[4] Hird broke her neck in three places[5] and was advised that she was an incomplete quadriplegic.[6] However, after nine months Hird learned to walk again and began riding horses as a form of therapy.[7]

Sporting career

After being encouraged to compete in dressage, Hird won bronze at the World Championships in Aarhus Denmark.[8] She went on to win bronze in the Mixed Dressage - Freestyle grade III event at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney. Hird also represented Australia at the 2004 Paralympics where she just missed out on a medal.[9] At the 2006 Pacific Rim Championships, held in Vancouver, Hird won three silver medals.[10] She credits some of her success to Manolo Mendez, who gave her guidance.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Australian Media Guide : 2000 Paralympic Games . 2000 . Australian Paralympic Committee . Sydney.
  2. Web site: Athlete Search Results . International Paralympic Committee . 2 October 2011.
  3. Book: Australian Media Guide : 2000 Paralympic Games . 2000 . Australian Paralympic Committee . Sydney.
  4. Web site: Marita Hird . The Australian Equestrian Federation - South Australian Branch . 11 October 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073948/http://www.mtgambiersjc.equestrian.org.au/?ID=34109 . 11 December 2015.
  5. Web site: The Current Equestrian Paralympic Preparation Squad . Riding For the Disabled Association Australia . 11 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130409155200/http://www.horseriding.org.au/RDAA/category133_1.htm . 9 April 2013 . dead .
  6. Web site: Marita Hird . The Australian Equestrian Federation - South Australian Branch . 11 October 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073948/http://www.mtgambiersjc.equestrian.org.au/?ID=34109 . 11 December 2015.
  7. Web site: Marita Hird . The Australian Equestrian Federation - South Australian Branch . 11 October 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073948/http://www.mtgambiersjc.equestrian.org.au/?ID=34109 . 11 December 2015.
  8. Web site: Marita Hird . Dubbo Eventing & Showjumping Association . 11 October 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211074100/http://www.desa.equestrian.org.au/?ID=34109 . 11 December 2015.
  9. Web site: Marita Hird . The Australian Equestrian Federation - South Australian Branch . 11 October 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073948/http://www.mtgambiersjc.equestrian.org.au/?ID=34109 . 11 December 2015.
  10. Web site: Marita Hird . The Australian Equestrian Federation - South Australian Branch . 11 October 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20151211073948/http://www.mtgambiersjc.equestrian.org.au/?ID=34109 . 11 December 2015.

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