Dreams In the Making
By Bev Asher, North Fraser Therapeutic Riding
Jennifer McKenzie is living proof that dreams can come true! She is well on her way to fulfilling her dream of competing at the Paralympic Games in Athens in 2004. Jennifer was appointed a member of the Canadian Equestrian Team for the World Dressage Championships for Riders with a Disability, held in Moorsele, Belgium, September 2 – 7, 2003.
Jennifer started riding at the age of five. At the age of 10, Jennifer rode in her first Pony Club Rally. She continued with Pony Club, attending many rallies and reaching the C2 level. Eventing was the big draw and she won many trophies and ribbons. Jennifer and her horse, K.B. were 1981 Western Canadian Champions in Training Level. At 16, Jennifer was the youngest rider at the American Continental Young Riders Competition in 1982.
In 1983 Jennifer began riding a new horse, Dragon, and moved up to Preliminary level. During the Fort Currie Horse Trials in May of 1983 Dragon fell in a hole while galloping between fences on the cross-country phase and Jennifer’s life was forever changed in one fateful moment.
Nine hours elapsed after the accident and Jennifer had not regained consciousness. A brain scan showed there was a hemorrhage in the internal capsule of the brain stem and the prognosis was very poor. However, because Jennifer was in such good physical condition from her involvement with swimming and riding, they decided to start total life support at 5:30 p.m.
A miracle began to unfold in the days and weeks that followed. A very drowsy Jennifer awoke, struggling to shake off the medication that was administered to prevent further hemorrhage and swelling of the brain. The days were filled with wild and conflicting emotions. The joy of her regaining consciousness faded as the extent of her injuries sustained in the accident became apparent. The intubation tube had rested on her vocal chords leaving her without speech. She had double vision, her right side was paralysed and a gastric tube provided nourishment. Jennifer’s body was like a rag doll that would easily fall from the wheel chair. A long and arduous process of recovery began as she struggled to regain muscle control with the help of physiotherapy. In July of 1983, she transferred to G.F. Strong where she continued to make slow but steady progress. She came home for weekends and, finally after intensive rehabilitation spanning an entire year, she came home permanently.
It was an emotional time for everyone. Here was this vibrant, fun-loving, talented athlete in a wheelchair, unable to walk, with double vision and impairments in her speech and thought processes. By the time her classmates were graduating, Jennifer had missed much of her Grade 11 and the entire Grade 12. However, Jennifer’s positive attitude to “be the best I can be” was an inspiration to all those around her. It helped to carry them all through a very disappointing and challenging year. The Year Book was dedicated to Jennifer in her Grade 12 year, attesting to her inspiration and positive contributions.
Jennifer’s first attempt to return to riding from the therapeutic perspective was a total disaster. Her right side felt completely useless and her body didn’t work as it once did. Jennifer gave up riding and returned to swimming. Tilly Muller, founder of the therapeutic center in Maple Ridge, kept encouraging Jennifer to try riding. She still had her old horse, Shadow, at home. With family assistance, she began riding at a walk around their area. Slowly Jennifer began to hack down to the dikes with her mom, Vi, pedalling beside on her bicycle. Finally, 15 years after that fateful day, Jennifer once again took to the saddle at Maple Ridge Therapeutic Riding Center. Jennifer has spent many hours in the saddle, working on therapy at home, swimming to regain muscle and coordination, endless hours studying her dressage tests and competition at various horse shows throughout Canada and the U.S.A. After six years in a structured program with the riding center, Jennifer has once again become an equestrian to watch closely. Her poise, concentration and friendly smile so eloquently mask the years of frustration and focus it has taken to reach this incredible milestone in her riding career.
Jennifer had this to share after returning from the World Championships in Belgium: “It was amazing to see the whole spectacle. The opening ceremonies at the Hippodrome of Waregem, the exhibitions and special receptions, and demonstrations of a new sound system for blind riders were exceptional highlights. The feature was a quadrille demonstration by the cavalry of the Royal escort of the Federal police. I proudly stood and held the Canadian flag for one and a half hours in full riding attire as a tribute to my first coach, the late Dr. Zoltan Sztehlo. Himself an Olympian, he instilled in me at an early age the honour it is to represent one’s country and the behaviour and decorum that should be demonstrated. Attending these 5th World Championships will always be the highlight of my life.”
Regardless of the pursuit, Jennifer’s goal is to be able to ride and demonstrate the capability of a rider with a disability, achieving harmony and excellence in the sport of Dressage. Jennifer will be competing in Ontario for her last qualifying score to become a member of the Canadian Paralympic Team. For this young equestrian athlete, dreams are still in the making. Jennifer continues her proud journey towards the Paralympic Games in Athens 2004.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Jennifer at the World Dressage Championships for Athletes with Disabilties in Moorseles Belgium, September 2003, riding Petra, an 11 year old Belgium Warmblood owned by Jose Vancoille of Belgium.
