Ashleigh & Binero Go To Houston!
Donation protected
About Me
I am 23 years old, an Animal Science major at UC Davis, a para-equestrian, and I have Cerebral Palsy. On November 15, 1991 I was born prematurely weighing just over 2 lbs to a single, teenage mother. At 18 months, I was diagnosed with my disability. It affects my gait, coordination, strength, flexibility, and muscle tone. Consequently, it causes muscle and joint pain.
For the first 13 years of my life, I attended weekly physical therapy sessions. At 14, I underwent an extensive surgery on my legs to improve my mobility. On my road to recovery, I had to relearn how to stand, balance, and walk. My orthopedic surgeon credits horseback riding largely for the lack of postoperative regression that I've had.
Leading an active lifestyle, exercising regularly at the gym, massage, and routine stretching with physical therapy are just some of the things that help me stay functional, along with riding, of course!
Riding Background
When I was 8 years old, I started taking riding lessons and was instantly hooked! I fell in love with the equestrian sport and felt an indescribable connection with the horses that has never faded.
At 13, I started showing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit. Through this, I found dressage and knew that it was the discipline for me!
I began competing in Para-Dressage in 2013 and competed at my first CPEDI 3* the same year. I compete in both Para-Dressage and able-bodied dressage. In a sport where subtlety and lightness of aids are extremely important having muscle spasticity may seem disadvantageous. But for me, it's a challenge that I embrace and it motivates me to be the best rider that I can be!
I am a Grade II Para-Dressage rider and the current USEF Reserve National Champion for my grade. I was also the USA Team Alternate for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™.
My equine partner is Binero, a 13 year old Danish Warmblood Gelding. Together we have been working to achieve the dream of competing on the world stage and representing the United States in international competition at the Paralympics.
My current goal is to compete at the 2015 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Houston, TX this October! This is not only a national competition but one of the steps towards being considered for the US Team for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! I am looking for your support to help make these dreams a reality!
Behind every international athlete is a great team of supporters, our team is known as Team Ashleigh! With the numerous financial demands of this sport, your support is key to ensuring that Binero and I can continue to pursue these amazing opportunities and achieve success!
Please consider contributing to our fundraising campaign. My goal is to raise $5,000 to help exclusively with the costs of travel, training, and competition!
Become a supporter and member of Team Ashleigh today!
For more information and to learn more please visit my website - Team Ashleigh
Thank you for your support!
I am 23 years old, an Animal Science major at UC Davis, a para-equestrian, and I have Cerebral Palsy. On November 15, 1991 I was born prematurely weighing just over 2 lbs to a single, teenage mother. At 18 months, I was diagnosed with my disability. It affects my gait, coordination, strength, flexibility, and muscle tone. Consequently, it causes muscle and joint pain.
For the first 13 years of my life, I attended weekly physical therapy sessions. At 14, I underwent an extensive surgery on my legs to improve my mobility. On my road to recovery, I had to relearn how to stand, balance, and walk. My orthopedic surgeon credits horseback riding largely for the lack of postoperative regression that I've had.
Leading an active lifestyle, exercising regularly at the gym, massage, and routine stretching with physical therapy are just some of the things that help me stay functional, along with riding, of course!
Riding Background
When I was 8 years old, I started taking riding lessons and was instantly hooked! I fell in love with the equestrian sport and felt an indescribable connection with the horses that has never faded.
At 13, I started showing on the Arabian Horse Association circuit. Through this, I found dressage and knew that it was the discipline for me!
I began competing in Para-Dressage in 2013 and competed at my first CPEDI 3* the same year. I compete in both Para-Dressage and able-bodied dressage. In a sport where subtlety and lightness of aids are extremely important having muscle spasticity may seem disadvantageous. But for me, it's a challenge that I embrace and it motivates me to be the best rider that I can be!
I am a Grade II Para-Dressage rider and the current USEF Reserve National Champion for my grade. I was also the USA Team Alternate for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™.
My equine partner is Binero, a 13 year old Danish Warmblood Gelding. Together we have been working to achieve the dream of competing on the world stage and representing the United States in international competition at the Paralympics.
My current goal is to compete at the 2015 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Houston, TX this October! This is not only a national competition but one of the steps towards being considered for the US Team for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! I am looking for your support to help make these dreams a reality!
Behind every international athlete is a great team of supporters, our team is known as Team Ashleigh! With the numerous financial demands of this sport, your support is key to ensuring that Binero and I can continue to pursue these amazing opportunities and achieve success!
Please consider contributing to our fundraising campaign. My goal is to raise $5,000 to help exclusively with the costs of travel, training, and competition!
Become a supporter and member of Team Ashleigh today!
For more information and to learn more please visit my website - Team Ashleigh
Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Ashleigh Flores-Simmons
Organizer
Elk Grove, CA