UPDATE

25th August 2008

http://www.abc.net.au:80/news/video/2008/08/14/2335688.htm

4th of September 2007 - Grace has been nominated for an Australian of the Year award.... Congratulations Grace...!!!!

Tragedy to triumph as a special ambassador

By SOPHIE ELSWORTH
15apr06

THE Bowman family's love for horses has resulted in two tragedies, but finally they have reason to celebrate.

Grace Bowman, 15, from Moonta, was left a paraplegic three years ago when she damaged her spinal cord in a riding accident.

But she was all smiles this week after being selected to represent Australia at the Young Riders International Competition in England in July.

Just nine weeks ago Grace's mother Stephanie, 46, was killed when a horse being loaded into a float fell backwards and crushed her.

But while the family is still dealing with the tragic loss, they are ecstatic with Grace's selection to represent Australia at the Millfield School in England.

"I can't believe it, I always hoped to represent Australia but maybe when I was 50, not 15," she laughed.

"If mum was here today she would be coming with me, she would be so excited."

International dressage competitions for disabled riders started at the 1984 World Games in New York and often riders go on to compete at the Paralympics.

Grace's father David received a call from her coach Rachel Vincent last week to tell her the good news.

"Dad then rang to tell me he had some good news, but my phone cut out and I didn't have reception for an hour," Grace said. "I started crying when he told me that I had been asked to represent Australia."

Grace will travel to England in June to represent Australia in the young riders dressage competition, which runs on July 11 and 12..

Grace to ride for Australia

Journalist: Erica Andrews

Photo: Rod Penna

Identified by the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) of Australia Inc. as a potential future Paralympian, Moonta's Grace Bowman has been selected in a four-member national team to compete in the British Young Riders' Competition, to be held at Millfield School, Street, Somerset, England, in July.

The daughter of David Bowman and the late Stephanie Saint (Bowman), 15-year-old Grace is overjoyed at her selection, her heart firmly set on one day competing in dressage at the Paralympics.

"I cried when Dad told me on the phone I had been asked to go to England", says Grace, who was staying near Morgan with friends when David got the call from the RDA. "The people I was staying with weren't sure if I was happy or sad, until I told them why I was crying."

CONTINUED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

I would like you all to meet Grace

Grace Elizabeth Saint Bowman

Education Currently attends Kadina Memorial High School

Aims-

1. To compete successfully in able-bodied equestrian competitions.
2. To safely mount and dismount a horse by myself.
3. To saddle up my own horse.
4. To complete Year 12 and gain entry into Biotechnology

1. To win the national championships in Grade 2 section A in Werribee 2006.
2. To win Grade 2 State championships 2006.
3. Compete successfully overseas in 2006

Dreams-

1. To be selected for a national squad
2. To ride in the World championships.
3. To win a world event.
4. To represent Australia in the Paralympics.
5. Work in Stem Cell research

Achievements-

2000

• PCASA D certificate
• Northern Yorke Peninsula Pony Club best & fairest
• Moonta Area School SRC member

2001

• Dux of Year 6
• PCASA D* certificate

2002

• Moonta Netball Club best fairest F grade
• Northern Yorke Peninsula SAPSASA netball & swimming

2003

• Getting back on my horse after accident
• Dux of Year 8
• Performer in Moonta Area School Rock Eisteddfod team
• Moonta Area School District Council of the Copper Coast leadership award
• Crippled Children's Association President's achievement award
• Instructors trophy Northern Yorke Peninsula Pony Club
• RDASA State Dressage champion
• Highest overall dressage score RDASA State championships
• RDAA National Dressage Champion Grade 2 Section B
• Selected for RDASA State Dressage team
• Highest overall dressage score RDAA National Championships
• 2 nd & 3 rd placings in able-bodied equestrian competitions
• 2 nd in PCASA zone finals dressage team
• Completed my rehabilitation

2004

• Dux of year 9
• Lions Children of Courage award
• RDASA Grade 2 State Dressage Champion
• Competitor in RDA Australia national dressage championships, Sydney, NSW, Grade 2 Section A

Warm up test 3 rd

Championship test 4 th

Freestyle test 8 th

• First placings in able bodied competitions and also gaining entry and placing in able bodied state competitions.
• Northern Yorke Peninsula Pony Club A Grade dressage team on the flat 1 st Central Zone Finals, gaining entry into PCASA state championships.
• Northern Yorke Peninsula Pony Club A Grade dressage team on the flat 2 nd PCASA State championships.
• 5 th South Australian Dressage Association Cup (SADA) Central Zone Finals, gaining entry into the team and individual competition in PCASA state championships.
• 4 th SADA cup individual competition at PCASA state championships
• 3 rd SADA cup team competition at PCASA state championships

Awarded South Australian Sports Institute (SASI) Talented athlete scholarship

2005

• RDASA Grade 2 state dressage champion
• Highest overall dressage score RDASA state dressage championships
• Competitor in RDA Australia national dressage championships, Werribee , Victoria , Grade 2 Section A

6 th Warm up test

1 st Championship test

3 rd Freestyle test

• Awarded SASI country athlete scholarship
• Awarded SASI talented athlete scholarship

2006

• SRC member
• SRC Vice President
• Selected onto the Riding for Disabled National Dressage Squad
• One of four riders asked to represent Australia in junior international dressage competition in England .

Expenses-

1. Taking the horse and I to Adelaide every 2 weeks for coaching.
2. Horse feed.
3. Horse tack.
4. Shoeing, Worming, Dentist, Vet.
5. Rug repairs/ new rugs.
6. Towing vehicle & float.
7. Competition costs
8. Special tack/ gear- to fit my needs.
9. Travelling interstate.
10. Treatments for the horse and me.
11. Purchase of a new horse

UPDATE 13/11/2006

Recently the Team for the World Championships was announced and Grace was one of the eight selected. We are so proud of her. She now has a lot of work to do. She has decided to take two years to do year twelve starting next year.

Her schedule already for next year is

• Jan. Camp in Vic with the National Coach.
• March Junior Dressage riders Camp in Vic with Nat. Coach
• May 2 day S.A. clinic with National Coach
• May 20 th RDA State Dressage Championships
• Leave June 6 th for the U.K. in preparation for the Para Equestrian World Championships at Hartpury U.K . July 07

As you can see Grace has little time to do anything else. Grace is the first S.A. to be selected for World Championships. She is also the only Junior .

We are now on the hunt for the right horse. It will not have to go to the U.K. We are after an educated horse at least Elementary .

The reason I say this as it needs to be off the forehand. Must be forward moving and accept two whips. Do not want a horse that shies but can have spirit. Must have three good paces, they don't have to be brilliant as if it has too big a movement Grace finds it hard to sit. We are looking for approximately as a guide a horse 15 - 15.3h 8 -12years. Must have good ground manners.

IF ANYONE THINKS THEY MAY HAVE THE RIGHT HORSE FOR GRACE PLEASE EMAIL MRS RACHEL VINCENT

CONTINUED FROM ABOVE

Grace to ride for Australia
Journalist: Erica Andrews

Whilst in the UK, she will also compete in the RDA UK National Championships, to be held at Hartbury College, Gloucestershire.

Departure date from Australia is tentatively set at June 26, allowing time for Grace to watch the senior Australian team compete (also at Hartbury), and get to know the horse she will be riding in the competitions. Grace says the Australian riders hope to use German horses, which she says are renowned for being well-trained.

Grace joined RDA after she became a paraplegic as a result of a riding accident in 2002. South Australian RDA coach, Rachel Vincent, will be Grace's chaperone for the UK trip; Rachel has been working with Grace since 2003 and says she shows tremendous potential.

"I have taught many riders and Grace is one of the most thinking riders I have known - she has great self-discipline.

"I feel honoured to be going with her to the UK", Rachel said this week, adding she knows the layout of Hartbury having taken the first Australian disabled dressage team there, as National coach, to compete in the disabled world championships in 1994.

"Grace has outgrown her current horse, Vinnie, so we're on the look out for another one for the Paralympics - riders have to take their own horses to this event. We'd love to hear from anyone out there who thinks they have a suitable horse."

Now a member of the 25-strong national RDA dressage squad, Grace has competed in three RDA Australia national championships as a member of the South Australian team. In the 2005 championships at Werribee, Victoria, competing in Grade 2 Section A, she finished first in the championship test and third in the freestyle test, narrowly missing out on being named national champion, based on an aggregate of the two test results. (Grading is based on level of disability, with Grade 4 comprising the most able riders, and Grade 1 the least.)

Mayor's Community Fund

With the cost of the UK trip, for Grace and Rachel, estimated to be $10,000 - plus the ongoing costs of Grace fulfilling her potential in dressage - the Copper Coast community has already swung into action to help raise money.

Paul Thomas, District Council of the Copper Coast Mayor, says the Mayor's Community Fund, set up in the wake of the devastating Wallaroo Primary School fire in January, will accept donations for Grace.

"Money donated for Grace will be held for her until she needs it", says Mayor Thomas. "This will alleviate some of the pressure for the Bowmans, and help Grace reach her goals."

Donations can be left at any of DCCC's three offices, or forwarded to Council's head office at 51 Taylor Street, Kadina. (Donations made via the Mayor's Community Fund are tax deductible, and should be marked "Mayor's Community Fund-Grace Bowman".)

Other fundraisers

Other fundraisers being planned include a fashion parade at Wallaroo Town Hall, 7.30 pm, on May 29 (admission $5).

NYP Pony Club, Moonta, is hosting a combined Pony Club rideathon on April 26 (watch for riders seeking sponsorship).

And donation tins have been placed on shop counters throughout the Copper Coast.

David is also planning to hold two sportsmen's nights, one locally and the other in Adelaide (details in a future issue).