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1996 Paralympic
Gold Medalist
"Carousel" Retired
Photo by Carol Wooley
Owned by Midlands' Carousel
Midland's Carousel, the 27-year-old pony who trotted away with a silver and two gold
medals at the Atlanta Paralympics competed at his last show on July 25, 1998.
At the second annual ACORD Southeastern National Horse Show for Disabled Riders in
Georgia, Carousel was loaned to a rider seeking to qualify for the 1999 World
Championships in Denmark. The retirement ceremony tood place during Sunday's Awards Gala
Luncheon on July 26.
Carousel's story at the Paralympics in 1996 had it all. There was the young Danish rider,
born without the use of her legs. There was the old, washed-up pony, nearing the end of
his hard-lived career. And there was the horse owner who risked her job so that a lifelong
dream could be fulfilled.
Carousel's performance and medals are one of owner Carol Wooley's most cherished memories.
Wooley hauled three horses from her farm to the Georgia International Horse Park in
Atlanta and served as Groom for the competition, even though she could not get permission
from her employers and was fired for her absence.
Wooley does dressage and knows that 75% of the test movements require leg aids. Since
rider Brita Andersen didn't have the use of her legs, she relied on her arms and her
spirit to guide Carousel. "I was really apprehensive for her to get on that pony, but
they made a connection you rarely see. The horse loved Brita and trotted with her very
carefully", said Wooley.
The pair won the Championship in Grade I, with a score of 70.57%. They scored 64.22% in
the Warm-up, taking home another gold medal. Grade I riders are the most severely involved
athletes, and Carousel's score was the highest of any of the other 59 rides, even Grade
IV. They placed second for a silver medal in the Musical Free-Style, just 3% behind first
place.
Judy Serie Nagy, ACORD's show manager, was privileged to see
Brita and Carousel train several times. Nagy says, "I couldn't get over the picture
the two of them presented in training and during competition. Carousel didn't look like an
old school pony, he looked every inch a show horse. The dignity exhibited by horse and
rider was truly a joy to see. Carousel and Brita exemplified that empathetic human- horse
connection that I've always believed in."
The 1998 Southeastern National Horse Show was held July 25 and 26, 1998 offering
competition and clinics to riders of all skill levels. Classes included Equitation,
Dressage, Futures, Obstacle and Costume. The show was a qualifier for USCPAA Team USA at
the 1999 World Championships in Denmark.
Robin Brueckmann is one of the riders selected
to represent the USA at the 1999 World Championships in Denmark.
National Geographic Magazine is making a video
about Riders with Disabilities featuring Midlands' Carousel. Details posted here
when available.
"Triumph of the Human Spirit", the
Paralympic motto. Another motto was: "What's your excuse?".
American Competition Opportunites for
Riders with Disabilities acordcomp@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/ACORDCOMP/
or contact:
Sandy Dota, Pennsylvania - 610 588 7890, 588 2019 fax
Nora Grassmyer, California - 510 846 4140 ph/fax
Karen Lang, Georgia - 404 256 5878 klang@na.ko.com
Anita Hartzell, Louisiana - 504 455 3831 Anita.Hartzell@laitram.com
Judy Serie Nagy, California - 408 261 2015 w, 408 263 3143 h, 408 261 9438 fax
danivar@aol.com
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