Dream opportunity to help Paralympic Dressage rider Michelle Crunkhorn clear her sponsorship hurdles

Michelle Crunkhorn is a grade 4 Paralympic Dressage Rider. Michelle has a congenital disability: her left arm finishes just below the elbow.

Apart from the left arm she is an able-bodied person. Michelle is looking for help and support to make her dream come true. Michelle had a dream to compete at the London 2012 Paralympics and lost it.

"Diamond, the horse that she bought for London 2012, suffered a severe case of laminitis in January 2010. Laminitis is a very complicated hoof problem which we believe was caused by a shock to his feet by snow. A very long battle to try to get him sound to be brought back in to work failed and sadly he was put to sleep in July 2012.

"This was a very difficult time for Michelle. The 2012 Paralympic Dressage team was announced and she had to sit at home watching it. Michelle is now looking to achieve the dream of representing Great Britain at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France and the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

"Michelle was talent-spotted for her riding abilities after the Sydney Paralympics in 2001. She won a Bronze medal in the 2003 World Championships, was part of the Athens 2004 Paralympics and the 2005 European Championships and in 2007 she won team Gold at the World Championships. Michelle had high hopes for Beijing but the horse that she had been riding was retired after the world championships, which left her with no horse.

"Michelle bought Diamond, thinking forward to London 2012. In 2010 it all went very badly wrong for her; as a family we did everything possible to try to get Diamond sound. Luckily Michelle was given a horse (Sam) to ride which kept her riding and kept her hopes alive.

"This year we bought Sam for Michelle and she has started competing him. After not competing for over two years Michelle has started to look to the future again. With sponsorship she can make her dreams come true. Please contact us and look at Michelle’s website to see all of her career results both in Para Dressage and British Dressage.

"Any sponsorship would be greatly appreciated - it will help with training, travel and competing at shows. Opportunities will also be available for sponsors to have their name on the necessary clothing, merchandise and the horsebox. Sponsors can also attend shows and come to training days or visit the home stables".

Contact: Michelle Crunkhorn

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