Para-dressage rider Roberta (“Bert”) Sheffield is one of the most determined people you will ever come across. Struck with the painful and debilitating condition of severe rheumatoid arthritis from the age of 15, Bert has nevertheless become an accomplished rider. She uses straps from the stirrups to the girth to stabilize her lower legs and bobbles (rubber pimples) on the reins to help her grip. She takes medication and has regular chiropractic treatment to help keep her body working evenly. She continues to focus completely on the positive side and says that riding gives her tremendous freedom from her condition. “Although my disability does limit me in some ways, it has given me a wonderful opportunity to shine in the growing sport of para-equestrianism,” says Bert. “I am determined to push the boundaries of what I can achieve and fight for success.”
Based in Lincolnshire, England, 32-year-old Bert competes on her own 10-year-old Warmblood gelding, Wonderboy (or Whoop as he is known at home). Bert purchased Whoop as a four-year-old straight off the boat from Holland, and has helped him develop from an ungainly youngster who took a long time to settle into work to an intelligent, energetic horse now competing at the international level.
Bert has had dual nationality from birth and was eligible to compete for either Great Britain or Canada, but made the decision last year to ride as a Canadian. “Riding for the Canadian team will open up fantastic opportunities for me to compete internationally as part of an evolving team,” said Bert. She has already shown her commitment to the Canadian squad by leasing her younger horse, Double Agent, to fellow Canadian para-dressage rider Ashley Gowanlock for the summer tour with the view to Ashley’s selection for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, France, at the Grade 1b level.
Bert’s love of horses comes naturally, as she grew up around them in the flat fenlands of Lincolnshire, assisting her mother, Frances, with her homebred Welsh ponies. (Bert’s first foray into para-dressage was on an eye-catching chestnut Welsh section D cob named Calerux Cosmonaut.) Frances continues to be an important member of Bert’s team. “My mother has always been a massive support to me and without her great contribution, none of this would have been possible,” admits Bert. “She has believed in my talent from the beginning and nurtured it by finding me great instructors from the very start. She is vital to my continuing success.”
Bert always enjoyed training horses and had a special interest in dressage, so after completing her university degree she worked as an apprentice for two years with Oxfordshire-based rider and trainer Gareth Hughes at Aspen Grove Dressage. It was Gareth who steered her towards para-dressage, and while she continues to train with him, she has also been lucky enough to train for three years under Arthur Kottas-Heldenburg, former chief rider at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, and more recently with Conrad Schumacher and Dutch Olympian Ellen Bontje.
Bert is now ranked fifth on the Para-Equestrian Canada short list. She recently returned from her first international competitions in Europe (Mannheim CPEDI*** and Roosendaal CPEDI***) as a member of the Canadian Para-Dressage Team with some very good results under her belt in the Grade III division. She went on to win at her first show on her return home to the UK, the BD/ KBIS Insurance National Championship qualifier at Vale View. Said Bert, “Whoop was really up for going to a party and he turned in a lovely test for us to head the biggest class of the show with 68.110 per cent, two per cent ahead of second place.”
Already qualified for the 2014 WEG, Bert also has the Rio Paralympics in her sights. Hopefully, with help from her team of supporters and sponsors, she will be striving hard to fly the maple leaf for Canada in 2016.
