Having returned impressive results in the prelude to London 2012, selection for her first Paralympic Games would be vindication for Hannah Dodd’s determination and will to succeed. Hannah enjoyed a stellar 2011 campaign, winning the team test at both the Oceania Championships and National Titles.

Hannah was born with sacral agenesis, a rare degenerative disease that meant most of her renal system needed to be reconstructed. Hannah’s right leg was 180 degrees to the rest of her body, with a shorter tibia bone and no calf muscle. Despite the challenges of her formative years, Hannah has maintained a positive and determined attitude and believes she was aided by her understanding parents who allowed her to be free and enjoy herself throughout her childhood.

With two older brothers already riding, Hannah was introduced to horses at an early age. From the time she was four months old, she would be taken on fun rides around the paddock of her Arcadia home on the outskirts of Sydney. By the time she was two, she was riding independently and has been competing in adult competition since the age of 12.

The Australian champion in 2008 and 2011 and runner up in 2009 is far from being a one trick pony, also enjoying kick boxing, sketching and designing clothing. She started a degree in exercise and sport science in 2011 and hopes to develop knowledge and experience in this area.

Prior to London 2012, Hannah will attend several training camps with her fellow riders to prepare for the rigours of her first Paralympic Games experience. She hopes to continue riding through to the Rio 2016 Games while competing in open grand prix meets in the mean time.