My Opportunities Just Dress Up As Obstacles

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About the author

Ashley Gowanlock

Ashley is a two-time Canadian Paralympian Athlete, and Motivational Speaker. She is also ​a Sunday School teacher and young adult leader at her church.

Ashley was born two months early and by the age of two years was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. When she didn’t want to go to conventional physical therapy as a child, her parents signed her up for horseback riding lessons. A horse's movements mimic the way able bodied people walk, providing balance and coordination exercise for therapeutic purposes. However it proved much more for Ashley. That was the beginning of her love affair with the equine world. Ashley quickly discovered a love for the competitive sport of dressage and the challenge it presents.

Zoom ahead to 2005, Ashley's graduating year, and she knew for sure she wanted to ride horses all over the world and go to the Paralympics one day. And that’s just what she did!  Ashley rode for Canada in the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and the 2012 London Paralympics. The road to Rio 2016 has just begun!

Ashley's bio on Twitter reads: “Good Canadian Kid. Equestrian Paralympian in 2008 & 2012. Motivational Speaker. Seeker of Adventure. Jesus is my Everything. Wherever Horseshoes take me.”  That about sums this gal up!