Tech, the Clydesdale cross, responds to the gentlest of rein control, voice commands and movements as subtle as the turn of Jodie Thorne's head, which is just as well because Jodie doesn't have the strength of other riders.

Jodie has Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy, a muscle disease characterized by the progressive weakening and loss of skeletal muscles.

Jodie Thorne and Tech in action in the dressage arena. Photo by R.Moss, Nzequine.

The condition means she can't mount or dismount from Tech without assistance, and she rides with the support of a handlebar on the front of the saddle to help keep her up-right. There are flexible loops sewn into the reins so she can hold them and an elastic strap goes around each saddle flap and attaches over Jodie's thighs with Velcro.

'These straps help to keep my leg still, give me some support and also help to prevent my legs sliding back when I do fall forward, so I have more chance of staying in the saddle in the time it takes for my 'spotters' to run in and push me back up,” says Jodie.
All that might dissuade some from getting on a horse at all – let alone one as big and powerful as Tech.

However, in just two years the horse called San Mateo Tech Effects, who stands 16 hands tall, and Jodie have forged a relationship and understanding so strong it has seen them win the Grade One Para-Equestrian Dressage Championship at the Horse of Year in March.

Three tests
The pair rode three para-equestrian dressage tests in three days, which was a real challenge of Jodie's strength and stamina but the win made it all worthwhile.
'It was so exciting to be in the dressage oval for the prize giving. The atmosphere was amazing. We rode round the oval twice, with the crowds around the outside cheering for us,” says Jodie.
Not stopping there – Jodie now has her sights on making the high performance team for the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Jodie has always been competitive, says her mother Sue Dobson. 'As a child in England she loved sports, swimming, gymnastics, horse riding and we had no idea there was anything wrong.”
At age 12 Jodie was diagnosed with FSHD. 'It was a terrible blow for us all. No one could tell us much about it. Information was hard to find, except that there wasn't a cure.”

Sue and Pete bravely didn't wrap Jodie in cotton wool but encouraged her to live life to the full, and Jodie had the courage and tenacity to do just that. She went to university, graduated with a degree in new media, met her husband Darren and came to New Zealand on a campervan holiday. 'When Darren was made redundant we began looking for IT jobs and discovered plenty on offer in New Zealand so moved here in 2004.”

First ride
Initially the couple lived in Wellington. 'In the end I couldn't stay there – the wind just blew me over,” laughs Jodie who now runs her own web design business Wicked Eye in Tauranga. Darren works for Tauranga City Council.
During her mid-20s Jodie discovered Riding for the Disabled. 'I was really nervous and felt quite unbalanced when Mac (the first horse I rode) started moving, but I had a side walker on each side of me anchoring me across each thigh, and I was holding onto the neck strap (for dear life) so I knew I wasn't going to fall off. I started to relax a little and enjoy the five minute ride around the barn.”
Those few minutes in the saddle were like a hard gym work out. 'The movement of the horse coupled with me having to balance and use muscles that haven't been used for way too long was obviously just the kind of exercise I needed. I started riding regularly in May 2008 and haven't looked back since.”

Jodie's riding confidence improved ten-fold with lessons from coach Betty Blundell, who came out of retirement to coach Jodie, and in October 2009 she went to Napier RDA and competed in two grade 1A dressage tests, coming third in both. The following year Jodie was assessed as able to compete in para-equestrian events and then began the search for a horse to ride in competitions.

Max Foundation
'I was incredibly lucky to be awarded a grant from the Max Foundation for New Zealand Women in July 2010 which meant I could go horse shopping to find my perfect horsey partner. I am so grateful to the Max Foundation for giving me this opportunity, and believing in me and my ultimate goals.”
It took nine months to find Tech, who on paper probably didn't appear the perfect partner for Jodie.
He's a big nine-year-old horse, who as a stallion sired 17 foals before being gelded at age eight. He had run with mares on a station, been ridden in hunts and had no dressage experience at all. What he did have was a quiet temperament and a willingness to learn. He's gone on to demonstrate winning dressage skills, including learning to ‘dance' with Jodie and develop an amazing sense of care and consideration for her.

'Becky who trains and warms Tech up for me says some days he's hard to handle, but when I get on he's so gentle and careful. If anything is out of the ordinary, he looks back at me to check what's going on.”

Helicopter
But even Tech's unflappability was stretched when a helicopter hovered low overhead at the Horse of the Year. 'Tech had no idea what was going on and I could feel him shaking – he was genuinely scared and I was rather worried too. At the same time, the carriage drivers started warming up nearby which added lots of scary sights and sounds to the mix which Tech found overwhelming.

'He started jig-jogging and flung his head up in the air which threw me forward onto his neck. Poor Becky was trying to hold onto a dancing Tech with one hand, while stopping me from sliding off with the other while Sarita, Lucy and Chontelle ran in to catch me.”
Jodie didn't fall and was given half an hour by the judges to recover before she and Tech entered the arena to compete.
'Tech was still quite tense when we rode at the later time, but I managed to keep him together and we rode a good test despite everything, to post a 66 per cent score which was enough to win us the championship. I was so proud of my boy and my fabulous crew who sprang into action when I needed them most.

'While it was me and Tech in the arena during competitions, our win was credit to the fantastic team which supports us. This is truly a team sport as Tech and I couldn't do what we do without them.”
Everyday life is a challenge for Jodie but she doesn't dwell on the negative. She is an inspiring young woman with an infectious zest for life who runs her own business, has organised Girl Geek networking for women in IT, competes in equestrian events and is foster mum to nine-year-old James who is also discovering a love of riding.
For all that she probably already deserves a medal, but Jodie wants to win one, with Tech, at Rio.

Jodie's core team are: Sue Dobson, Becky Budgen, Sarita Hyland, Lucy Picott, coach Anna McIntyre and of course husband Darren.
She also has a fantastic network of friends and supporters ready to help out and add extra pairs of hands come show time.
Businesses in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato have also put forward their support for Jodie and Tech, and they have a growing team of sponsors behind them including JC Trailers, Eleos Trust, JLT Insurance, Farmlands Te Puna, EquipOutdoors.co.nz, Savvy Touch and Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge.

The pair are now working on their winter training plan so they can start next season with a bang and continue on their path towards their ultimate goal – competing at the Paralympics.
Jodie and Tech are always on the lookout for sponsorship to help towards their ultimate goal of the competing at the paralympics. If you would like to join them on their exciting journey and be a part of their sponsor team, please get in touch via emailing: [email protected] and you can follow their progress at: www.jodiethorne.co.nz