UPDATE NZALPA legal secretary Kyrie Gausden now could have just one more competition to win to assure her a place representing New Zealand at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020.

Kyrie and her chestnut gelding ‘I Romulus’, also known as ‘Bear’, won the Grade 5 Para-Equestrian championship in the Hawke’s Bay in late March at the prestigious New Zealand Horse of the Year competition.

“The atmosphere at Horse of the Year was a next level from anything I had ever experienced. It was a surreal experience riding after Olympic athletes and being in the thick of the action.” said Kyrie.

Kyrie is awaiting further clarification on what is required to gain the scores required for Tokyo Paralympics 2020 selection.

In October last year Kyrie was classified as a Grade 5 para rider after damaging her lower spine. She was determined that this injury would not get in the way of her love of dressage, and she hasn’t looked back since.

Uplink will update readers on her progress and any final Paralympic decision. Good luck, Kyrie and Bear!

STOP PRESS: Airways signs on as pan supporter

Medical and Welfare Director, Andy Pender, advises with great pleasure that in late March the Peer Assistance Co-Ordinator Team secured Airways’ official support as a stakeholder in PAN New Zealand, the Peer Assistance Network.

“Airways signing off on the PAN agreement arrives after a lengthy two-year lobby effort thanks in no small part to Herwin Bongers and Kelvin Vercoe,” Pender said.

“Airways will now make a financial contribution to the programme, and assist in steering PAN in the best direction to cater for our NZALPA Air Traffic Controller members.”