Ilona's determined to live her dream

Marlborough has a tight-knit and high-achieving dressage community. DAVID DAWKINS caught up with a newcomer who has taken everybody by surprise.

Four years ago Ilona Lawrence was in a bed in Burwood Hospital's spinal unit trying to piece her life back together after a car crash left her a tetraplegic.

Now she has her sights set on representing New Zealand in dressage at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.

The mother of three candidly recounted the early days following the accident.

"I was such a cow in the hospital. I even made my husband sleep beside my bed every night. I think I was the first person who had their kids sleep in their room too," Ilona recalled.

"It was a huge shock, but you have to get over it. I had three kids I had to get better for."

Recovery was a long and difficult process, but after six months Ilona left the hospital and returned to Blenheim.

By her own admission, "a stubborn, headstrong and fiercely independent" woman, Ilona found leaving the security of the hospital and its doctors, nurses and fellow patients who were facing the same challenges, frightening.

While at Burwood, Ilona's room-mate was a dressage rider, Anthea Gunner, who was determined to return to riding when she left hospital.

Ilona had never ridden a horse, but, inspired by Anthea, she decided on her return to Blenheim that riding might help her recovery. She contacted Roslein Wilkes at Marlborough Riding for the Disabled.

In her first trip to RDA it took five people to lift Ilona on to the horse, she wore a neck brace and was closely supervised by a nurse and physiotherapist.

Her initial foray into the equestrian world offered little indication that riding would soon become a sporting passion.

"I didn't mind the riding, I just didn't like everyone fawning over me.

"Once people started stepping back I enjoyed it more."

Slowly Ilona became more comfortable on a horse and started to enjoy the independence and freedom of movement riding offered.

As her riding ability improved, Ilona started dressage and is now coached by RDA head coach Amanda Bashford.

Husband Daniel has also proved a constant source of advice at daily practice sessions, while daughters Savannah, 9, Naia, 7, and Mekah, 5, are enthusiastic supporters.

In October she rode at her first show – a nerve-racking experience which Ilona admitted had her feeling nauseous.

As the only para rider in Marlborough, she was a novelty. Other riders were surprised when she rode a test the same as theirs.

In just her second competitive outing, Ilona and mount Bonno – who Ilona described as a "little bit of a troublemaker but getting better" – aced the South Island champs in Christchurch, winning all three tests.

Her proudest moment came when she scored an impressive 73 per cent in the musical freestyle – though she did have to make one concession for the test, performing to Abba rather than her preferred R and B.

Ilona's efforts caught the eye of fellow riders, judges and New Zealand officials, who believe she has the potential to represent her country at the Paralympic Games.

Paralympic riders are graded depending on the severity of their injuries, with Ilona at the most extreme end of the scale at a 1A.

Not a sporty person before the accident, Ilona has found her stubbornness has morphed into a competitive streak and she is determined to make it to London.

Reaching the Games will not be easy, or cheap, and Ilona is on the lookout for sponsorship.

Next year she will travel to Australia to attend qualifying tournaments, while she also hopes to buy a top dressage horse.

After all Ilona has been through, don't count on anything stopping her achieving her dreams.

WEEKLY SPORTS STAR

Name: Ilona Lawrence.
Nickname: Lone.
Born: Wanganui, October 13.
Educated: Marlborough Girls' College.
Latest sporting hero: Anthea Gunner (Para-equestrian dressage rider).
Must-watch TV programme: Brothers and Sisters.
Must-have food: Butter chicken (Riccarton Mall).
What's hot on your MP3 player: Rihanna.
Favourite holiday spot: Marlborough Sounds.
Superstitions: Walking under ladders.
Pet hates: Creepy crawlies.
Fashion crime: Socks and jandals.
Favourite sporting moment: My musical test at the South Island championships.
Worst sporting moment: My first dressage test.
In five years I'll be: Training for the next Paralympics after winning gold in London.

- The Marlborough Express