Support Marta and Simply's Para-Dressage journey!

My name is Marta White, and my life’s journey has been a pursuit of passion and purpose. Mine is a story of resilience, an unyielding spirit, and the extraordinary power of an unexpected bond between rider and horse. The horse’s story is one of overcoming traumatic injury leading to a second chance at excelling in the competitive arena. Together, we are a Para-Dressage team (Grade III) and a testament to the triumph of spirit over adversity.

In September 2014, my world was shaken to its core when I received the diagnosis of Progressive MS. I had built a thriving dog walking business in bustling Boston and was a competitive equestrian Eventing enthusiast. But MS, with its insidious grasp, was slowly dismantling my livelihood and my cherished equestrian dreams. What used to be six hours of dog walking a day gradually became a grueling challenge of a half hour. By 2018, I was forced to say goodbye to Eventing, as it became unsafe for me to continue with the sport. And earlier this year, I had to say goodbye to my beloved and aging event horse, who had shared riding adventures with me for 19 years. I feared that losing him would be the end of my life’s passion altogether. The constant state of loss that accompanies a degenerative disease had become my unwelcome companion.

MS has affected the use of my right leg and core, leaving me weak on that side and grappling with coordination issues. But amidst this relentless storm of adversity, there was a flicker of hope. I yearned to get involved with Para-Dressage, a discipline of beauty and skill that I loved and admired. But it felt like an impossible dream. How could I ever hope to find a horse of the caliber needed to be competitive at the highest level? Little did I know, fate had an improbable story waiting to unfold.

Enter Beaulieu’s Simply Cool, a horse once destined for greatness in Eventing, owned and trained by the legendary Denny Emerson. In 2015, tragedy struck when Simply suffered a severe injury to her lumbar region during a cross-country schooling session. It seemed her promising career had come to an abrupt and heart-wrenching end. Seven long years passed before she showed signs of being sound again, signaling a chance at restitution. In late 2022, destiny brought Simply to my barn, and I seized the opportunity with unwavering determination.

Working with Simply was a revelation. Her innate talent shone brighter with each passing day, and I was overwhelmed by the opportunity to work with such an exceptional horse. Together, we embarked on a journey of recovery, rebuilding her strength, and rekindling my hope for a brighter future. We spent hours together, riding and hand grazing in the field. Simply relished in all the attention I doted on her, brushing her coat until it shined and lavishing her with treats. My dreams of Para-Dressage began taking shape, as a deep bond formed between us.

In August 2023, we had the privilege of riding with the esteemed Michel Assouline, the Technical Advisor and Olympic Coach for the US Para-Dressage Team. Michel’s words resonated deeply as he labeled Simply’s talent as “international quality”. He urged me to seek international classification and compete in the upcoming winter events in Florida. This is our moment; this is our chance to shine on the world stage.

Since childhood, I’ve dreamt of representing my country in equestrian competition. Now, remarkably, the very thing that has brought me the greatest hardship seems poised to fulfill my dream. My ultimate goal? To ride in the Olympics and the World Championships, carrying the flag of our nation in the pinnacle of Para-Dressage sport. It is a dream now intertwined with the chance for Simply to again shine on the competitive stage—a story of second chances that is simply incredible.

But, dear friends, we cannot do it alone. My ambition is to proudly compete for the USA at the Para-Olympics in Paris next year, and for that, we need your support. We must raise the funds to relocate to Florida for the winter, where we will train and compete in international-level events. If you can, if your heart resonates with our journey, please consider being a part of this remarkable story. No financial gift is too little. Together, we can make this dream a reality.

Thank you for believing in us, and let us show the world the boundless spirit of resilience and determination. Paris, here we come!

Please follow our journey on social media.

Marta White Para Equestrian on Facebook

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Riding photos credit: AJ Photography LLC