World champion Dumfries and Galloway wheelchair racer switches to para dressage

World champion wheelchair racer Shelby Watson is aiming for the Paralympics – in para dressage.

The 25-year-old from Johnstonebridge won five gold metals in the T33 class at the Cerebral Palsy International Sport and Recreation Association (CPISRA) World Games in 2018 and is a multiple world record holder.

But she has opted to quit the sport after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided not to organise women’s T33 events at Paralympic level.

She said: “Sadly my motivation has slowly declined following continuous promises for a Paralympic event to be held, yet it never happening.

“It’s difficult as I’ve put so much of my life into wheelchair racing but because of the IPC choices at not giving women the chance to race, I now cannot progress any higher.

“I will however be forever thankful for the opportunities and people I have met through my racing and will continue to coach the sport.”

But while her dreams of being a Paralympic wheelchair racer me be on hold, Shelby has now switched her focus to para dressage.

She said: “Interestingly, this sport means I will compete against men and women of the same classification – so there should be no barriers to me reaching my Paralympic goal.

Shelby Watson (Jim McEwan)

“It is also governed by a different organisation that is specific to equine and so it would be nice to train to the top in a different field and prove my capabilities when given the opportunity to do so.

“I’ve only had a handful of lessons so far but I’ve already had my first competition. It went so well, I really felt my spark return and I’m so excited for the future.

“I’m really girly and have always loved horses but at a distance as I have had no prior experience.

“But after only a few lessons on Norman (Norrie) I knew it was something I wanted to put my all into, and hopefully make everybody really proud.

“I am so thankful to Jess and Grant who have given up their time to teach me to ride and get me to comp standard already. I’m so lucky to have so many supporting people that have allowed me to achieve my goals in everything I have set my mind to so far.”

Shelby was coached at Dumfries and Galloway Wheelchair Athletics Club by dad Russ and she added: “I think my dad probably had heart failure when I announced that I wanted to do dressage, as he knows like racing how expensive it can be!

“But both my parents have be so encouraging and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”