Main image: Stella Barton, pictured here competing, attended the Paralympic uniform launch. Image by Stella Barton Para Equestrian.
The Australian Paralympic Team’s uniform for Paris 2024 features some of the most innovative accessibility designs ever produced for an Australian representative team. The team’s official kit was unveiled on the final day of Australian Fashion Week in Sydney on Friday by some of the country’s biggest stars of Para-sport.
Para Equestrian Stella Barton was one of 12 athletes who modelled the uniform on Friday, and it was the first time equestrian has been represented at the launch.
Stella Barton. Image by Stella Barton Para Equestrian Facebook page.
“What great fun and a great privilege to be a part of the Australian Paralympic uniform launch at Carriageworks as part of Australian Fashion Week,” said Stella via social media.
Selection for the Australian Para Equestrian Team is yet to be decided, with the qualifying period running until 19 June 2024 and the team announced after that.
Partnered with Lord Larmarque, Stella is one of six riders who have achieved the required qualifying scores to date, while another five riders are partially qualified – some with more than one horse. There are still several CPEDI qualifying events still to come overseas, while here in Australia the final qualifier will be hosted by Hawkesbury Dressage Festival (14-17 June) at Sydney International Equestrian Centre next month. You can read more about Australian riders in contention for the Paris Paralympics in the May issue of Equestrian Life magazine.)
The Australian Paralympic Team uniform launch was hosted by Paralympic swimming great Ellie Cole and attended by special guests including Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells. It begins a weekend of celebration before the 100-days-to-go milestone on Monday.
Source: Paralympics Australia press release, edited by Equestrian Life.
