*UPDATE* Please, I need your help!

Well I did it, I'm in Holland! 

Finally my dream of training in the Netherlands has come true. What is even more exciting is that I now have a ride for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games!

For those who don't know me, my name is Elizabeth Sobecki and I am a Grade III Para-Equestrian and Dressage Rider from Australia who has been long-listed for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. In 2008 I was diagnosed with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis, however this has not stopped me from reaching my goals. In 2012, I was the reserve rider for Australia at the London Paralympic Games. Then in 2014, I was selected for the Australian Team at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, where I finished in the top 10.

Over the last 12 months I have been looking high and low for a horse I could campaign with for the 2016 Rio Paralympics. And just when I thought it was time to move on and start looking towards the 2018 WEG instead, Bo Nolten from Team BDN in Holland contacted me out of the blue and offered me her gorgeous stallion for my Rio campaign! What an amazing opportunity this is, I am so thankful and extremely excited! Such a generous offer, I will be forever thankful to Bo and her family! Valentin BDN is a stunning Frederiksborg Palomino stallion who has talent to burn. With hard work, I really do believe that Valentin and I have a real chance at earning a spot on the Australian Team at Rio. 

..but there is one problem..

There are three CPEDI3* qualification/selection events I must compete in to be eligible for selection on the Australian team. Deauville (FRA) and Waragem (BEL) in April, and then Roosendaal (NED) in May.  

However, the cost of entering these competitions alone is anywhere from $500-$1000AUD, plus travel, fuel and accommodation expenses on top of that! At this stage, after the first selection event in France, I would have pretty much dried up all my funds. I am being faced with an extremely devasting reality, that the fact is I may not be able to even attend the selection events due to financial reasons. Back home in Australia I was able to live a comfortable life off my Disability Pension. Now because I have moved overseas to chase my Paralympic Dream, my pension has been taken away from me. I am no less disabled because I am in another country. But the Government does not see that. 

I was put on this earth to ride. I never thought I'd be this close to representing my Country at a Paralympic Games, but here I am! Valentin, my mount for Rio, is an exceptional horse. I thought that I'd just fly over to Holland, have a crack at the qualification events and have fun. But now after having a few weeks riding Valentin, I really do believe that we are serious contenders for a spot on the Australian Team. This is the real deal, and I'm so frightened that I am literally going to have to walk away from this campaign due to finacial reasons. 

So I ask of you, is that can you please help me be able to pursue my dream? I am so close now, I can nealy taste it. Please, don't let me be forced to walk away from this incredible journey!  

Every dollar counts, and I cannot thank you enough for all the support I have received in my journey so far. 

Remember guys, don't give up on your day dream :)

If I am not selected for Rio or for some reason the campaign seizes, all funds raised with go towards WEG 2018 and the 2020 Paralympic Games.