Lisa Martin

Born into a family of Australian Stock Horse breeders, it comes as no surprise that Lisa Martin has carved out a successful career as an international dressage competitor and coach.

Raised in Scone, the horse capital of Australia, she competed in eventing, polocrosse, showjumping and dressage, guided by world-renowned trainers Heath and Rozzie Ryan.

However, when Lisa was 28 she was involved in a horse riding accident which split her fibula. A fall six weeks later caused even further damage to her leg and doctors were unsure it could be saved.

Fortunately, two years and 20 operations later, Lisa learned to walk again, but as a result of having her ankle fused, she has less than 15 per cent movement in her ankle joint.

Eventually Lisa returned to able-bodied competition and at the 2007 Hartpury Open she was offered the opportunity to be classified as a Grade IV Para-equestrian rider.

She didn’t take up this offer until early 2016, when Equestrian Australia’s National Performance Director Julia Battams encouraged her to do so, and after hearing of the opportunities for athletes in the sport, Lisa set herself the goal of competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

She competed in three events at the Games, placing fourth in the mixed dressage freestyle and individual championship, and ninth in the team open with teammates Emma Booth, Sharon Jarvis and Katie Umback.

Outside of training and competition, Lisa loves to travel and fish. She also considers herself a movie buff, favouring Westerns and action flicks.