Woman makes return to dressage

WINDSOR -- The word "obstacle" doesn't seem to be a part of Kim Jones' vocabulary.

Jones fell off of a horse in 2001, leaving her disabled, but the dressage rider's courage and determination has enabled her to return to the saddle.

The rider made a triumphant return to the dressage arena Saturday at Valerie Swygert's Jasmine Farm Halloween schooling show, her first show since suffering her injury. She placed first in her class with a score of 73, doing the Intro A Level test.

After reading a book by Walter Zettl in 1984, Jones decided to direct her energies toward the sport of dressage.

"We had a horse farm in Andrews, and I started to train all of my horses using his methods," said Jones. "I bought the book and never thought that I would ever meet him."

A series of misdiagnoses left Jones in a wheelchair, she said.

To make her comeback, Jones has been working with Avalo Farm's Michelle Donlick for three years.

"Michelle's a great friend; she'd do anything for anybody," said Jones. "She uses natural horsemanship, so her horses are real responsive."

Jones doesn't have as much core strength as she had because of the accident, but her mental strength and courage have enabled her to overcome a series of challenges.

She would like to compete in the Para Dressage at the World Equestrian Games or the Paralympics one day.

"I want to become the first disabled dressage rider to ride Grand Prix as an able-bodied rider, using Parelli and Walter Zettl's methods to train my horse," said Jones.

Natural horsemanship has been beneficial to Jones as a rider. The horses are far more responsive, she said.

"They're very light to the aids," said Jones. "I don't have to use my leg strength to keep them forward. I use my seat, weight and body position as opposed to always framing them with my legs."

Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.