 2000 Australian Paralympic team portrait of Hird | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Australia |
| Born | 25 February 1971 (age 52) Kew, Victoria, Australia |
Medal record | |
Marita Hird (born 25 February 1971)[1] is a Paralympic equestrian competitor from Australia. She won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games in the Mixed Dressage – Freestyle grade III event.[2]
Hird was born in Kew, Victoria.[1] She was a jockey until 1993 when she fell from her horse during a race.[3] Hird broke her neck in three places[4] and was advised that she was an incomplete quadriplegic.[3] However, after nine months Hird learned to walk again and began riding horses as a form of therapy.[3]
After being encouraged to compete in dressage, Hird won bronze at the World Championships in Aarhus Denmark.[5] She went on to win bronze in the Mixed Dressage - Freestyle grade III event at the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney.[1] Hird also represented Australia at the 2004 Paralympics where she just missed out on a medal.[3] At the 2006 Pacific Rim Championships, held in Vancouver, Hird won three silver medals.[3][5] She credits some of her success to Manolo Mendez, who gave her guidance.[5]
