Welcoming International Para Dressage Rider Mari Durward-Akhurst to The Horse Rider Hub

Based in Buckinghamshire, 27 year old Mari Durward- Akhurst is a successful Para Dressage Rider winning an impressive 5 National Championships and 3 International titles. Mari has three horses Sky O’Hara (on loan from Glesni Owen) who after numerous National and International titles and a European Silver Medal has now retired and is loving life, at 22 years old he owes Mari nothing. Mari’s two competition horses are Lebensfreude (Bear) and newest partner Quaikin Guaranteed Good (Damo).

Mari has cerebral palsy and a rare chromosome disorder which affects movement in all of her limbs. Her condition has deteriorated over the past couple of years which has resulted in her being a full time wheelchair user and being reclassified from Grade 3 to Grade 1 Para Dressage.

With her new classification, Mari was selected to represent Great Britain at the Para Dressage European Championships in Rotterdam in August 2019 – her first senior championship, where she won team silver medal. She was also selected to represent Great Britain at Waragem CPEDI3*, where she finished third in the freestyle.

Mari says, “Living with a changing condition has its challenges but my motto is “everything happens for a reason” and I’m a fighter!! I really enjoy inspiring others to get involved in Para sport in particular Para Dressage; I am a mentor for four up and coming para riders.

Mari trains with international dressage rider and trainer, Rob Waine and has her sights firmly set on the World Championships 2022.

We are delighted to be working with Mari as she campaigns to achieve her goals!

Follow Mari’s progress at https://www.mdaparadressage.co.uk/