Getting Libby to the 2023 Virtus Global Games

She's at it again! Libby Beem has been an international athlete, competing in Virtus-Games since 2017. Virtus is the global organization that governs – advocates – organizes – promotes elite sports for athletes with intellectual impairment (and autism). Athletes from these games go on to compete in Paralympics, including Paris 2024. Virtus is developing an autism category (II3), which is Libby's category.

Libby most recently swam in the 2019 Virtus Games in Brisbane, QSD, Australia, bringing home a bronze medal for Team USA. For the 2023 Games however, she is joining the inaugural USA Equestrian Team and will be riding dressage! Libby competed in, and won first place in the Virtus virtual competition in 2020 and placed second in 2022. Libby trains at Beyond Limits Therapeutic Riding in Cartersville, GA.

The 2023 Virtus Games are in Vichy, France June 4-10. There will be 1,000 athletes from all over the world, competing in 14 sports. The goal is to get Libby there, along with her long-time therapeutic riding coach and trainer, Kristen Moreland. Libby has ridden with Kristen since February 2013.

We're excited to watch Libby be a trailblazer for other equestrians with autism who aspire to compete on the international stage (just like she did with 5 gold medals in swimming in Mexico in 2017)! We're so proud of her hard work and dedication to this sport. All money raised will go to cover Libby's (and hopefully Kristen's) participation fees, horse rental, travel, and lodging. THANK YOU FOR HELPING HER TO REACH HER GOAL and as they say at her barn - to "GO BEYOND!"

Read about Libby's 2020 Virtus virtual win here