Judith Ralls, Carol Porter and Lindsay Tyas recently returned triumphant with a silver medal from the International Paralympics Equestrian Committee World Championships for Disabled Drivers in Austria
For Carol and Lindsay however, it was a trip made all the more challenging by the problems they faced during their outward journey.
Travelling in convoy to the Austrian Horse Centre, Stadl Paura, near Salzburg, the horsebox overheated and the pair found themselves stranded in Germany with horses, carriages, grooms and chef d’equipe, Margaret Brockie.
They contacted Pedens Bloodstock Agency, which had arranged their travel, and organised for a driver to meet them – at 3am.
Local driver Dieter Rihs – an Austrian Olympic event rider – drove them to the horse centre arriving exactly at the 6pm deadline.
Their silver medal was all the more impressive as Lindsay was competing with a borrowed pony and Carol has owned hers for just over three months.