RIDER TAKES LIFE FULL STRIDE
Blind Valley Woman Aims to Compete in Dressage at Paralympic Games
by Zarana Sanghani
Sam Madden's childhood passion was riding. When she went totally blind as an adult, riding became her greatest accomplishment.
Now, 11 years after losing her sight to diabetes, the 40-year-old Phoenix woman is trying out for the paralympics in the dressage equestrian event.
The sport requires an imperceptible nudge of the knee, touch of the foot, shift of the leg, all on top of a very big animal.
Madden's trainer said she has that heightened sense that melds rider with horse.
"She doesn't think she's blind, she just thinks she's visually impaired," Eileen Earnhart said with a laugh. "She's a good rider. She gets to feel (the horse's movements) better than other people."
Madden will tell you that riding is in her blood. Has been before and since she used babysitting money to buy her first horse when she was 13 and living in Connecticut. When she lost her sight in 1990, she wanted to ride again but didn't know how. Five years later, she found the Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship program in Scottsdale.
Today, after years of being part of the crowd riding in parades and rodeos, a blood clotting disorder has shifted her to the less risky dressage, where she and the horse are alone in an arena, and a determination to compete.
"I hate being underestimated," Madden said. "If people say I can't do something, well, you can bet I'm going to find a way."
Madden wants to go to the paralympic Games 2004 in Athens, Greece, with the U.S. Team. She must compete nationally with other disabled dressage performers for a spot on the four-person team.
To get there, Madden, who transcribes medical audio tapes, is raising money to help pay for equipment and training. A VISION OF DRESSAGE, a benefit for Madden, is scheduled today at Dynamite Dressage in Scottsdale, where she also hopes to train for the Paralympics.
About 120 countries and more than 4,000 disabled athletes participate in the Paralympics which are part of the Olympics and are scheduled to follow the regular summer games.
Madden's boyfriend, Ralph Carr, is her eyes in the field and has designed a radio system to help during events.
Horse riders in dressage perform precision tests in an arena at eight spots marked by letters. Blind riders can have people standing at each point to call out the letters and let the rider know where to go. But Madden has found that often doesn't work because it's expensive to travel with an entourage. Many riders recruit letter-callers from wherever Games are held, but it's risky because there's no practice ahead of time.
"that's not fair," Madden said.
Carr participates through the radio, letting her know through a headset what letter is next. then she knows whether to guide her horse through a tight circle or a serpentine line or a straight line, depending on what is required.
However, to complete the system, Madden needs $4,000 worth of equipment. The Paralympics Committee has given preliminary approval for Madden to use the device.
She also needs money for fees and travel to national dressage competitions.
If she can raise enough money, Madden has a good chance to get on the team, Earnhart said.
"I wanted to compete with others and show I'm as good as a woman who can see," Madden said.