Main image: Lisa Martin and Vilaggio competing at Hawkesbury CPEDI in Sydney. Image by Click Capture.
Based just out of Maitland in the Lower Hunter Valley of NSW, Lisa Martin grew up with horses and has built her life around the animals she loves. Her ankle injury in 2000 was never going to hold her back; Lisa not only got back in the saddle, but returned to Grand Prix level dressage with great success.
With less than 15 per cent movement in her ankle joint, she was invited to compete at Grade V para dressage in 2007 — however, it was not until she was approached by Equestrian Australia six months out from the Rio Olympics that she took up the opportunity. She went on to represent Australia with her mare First Famous (by Fidertanz out of Reverie, by Rubiloh), finishing fourth individually in the Team Test, Individual Test, and Freestyle final. In 2018, the pair also achieved over 70% in the Grand Prix arena back home in Australia.
Lisa Martin and First Famous at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Image by FEI/Liz Gregg.
Late in 2019, a freak accident with First Famous saw Lisa rushed to John Hunter Hospital with severe internal injuries. She spent three weeks in the trauma ward. “Both sides of my pelvis were smashed. My sacrum and sacroiliac joint were smashed. I’d taken all the points of my spine off down one side and crushed that. I couldn’t feel my legs for quite a while… that was probably the scariest part, not knowing if I would ever walk again,” explained Lisa when speaking to Equestrian Life in August 2020. Three months of rehab at Maitland Private, further emergency surgery, an extensive recovery at home followed, meaning Lisa was out of the saddle for nearly a year.
Not only did she make it back to the saddle, but with young homebred mare Juicy Wiggle (by Jive Magic out of Richmeed Debonair) Lisa made the Australian team for the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark where she competed with success.
Lisa Martin on Juicy Wiggle at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark. Image by Michelle Terlato Photography.
This year, Juicy Wiggle ticked off her MERs and met Australian selection criteria for the Paris Paralympics, however it was Lisa’s new import Vilaggio who ultimately made the team.
Lisa first saw Hanoverian gelding Vilaggio (by Vilancio out of Davinia, by Blue Hors Don Romantic) as a five-year-old in Germany and purchased him from Christoph Koschel last year.
Lisa and Vilaggio, now seven years old, debuted at CPEDI level in February this year at Willinga Park, and then competed at Boneo and Hawkesbury (Sydney) CPEDIs.
The pair travelled to Germany in July, where they’ve been in training with Christoph Koschel. In recent days, Lisa and Vilaggio have been in Deauville, France for the Australian Paralympic staging camp along with the other team members Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise, Stella Barton and Lord Larmarque, and Di Barnes with Sorena.
Lisa Martin and Vilaggio competing at Boneo CPEDI. Image One Eyed Frog Photography.
Lisa and Vilaggio’s first test in Versailles will be the Individual Competition (FEI Para Grand Prix A, Grade V) on Wednesday, 4 September. We wish them the very best of luck!
View the format and schedule for Para Equestrian at the 2024 Paris Paralympics here.
