By David Nagel
Emma Booth is certainly no stranger to overcoming adversity and the former Berwick local has continued that admirable quality at her second Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
Booth – competing in Para-Equestrian Dressage – finished in eighth place in the Grade III Individual Test with a score of 70.059, overcoming an early error to earn qualification for the eight-strong Individual Freestyle Test.
Booth and her steed, Zidane, became the first athlete-equine pairing to represent Australia at two Paralympics after they first took on the biggest stage in world sport in Rio in 2016.
In Rio, Booth and Zidane finished fifth in the Individual Grade II Test and she was a member of the Australian team that finished ninth in the Team Competition.
The 30-year-old, who now lives in Langwarrin, became a paraplegic and suffered multiple injuries after a car accident in April 2013, where a truck jack-knifed and hit her car head on as her and a friend returned from a horse event in Albury.
A severe knock to the head caused a brain bleed, while she also suffered a punctured lung, fractured clavicle, fractured sternum, compound fracture to her left ankle and life-threatening abdominal injuries.
But Booth showed great determination to make an emotional return to the saddle, and soon paired up with Zidane to make her Paralympic dreams come true.
Booth was relieved after her first ride in Tokyo, telling channel seven that she was proud of representing Australia in the Paralympic Games. She was also proud of Zidane, after the pair faced an early hiccup.
“It was really good, I’m just really happy to be here and representing my country on the world stage for a second time,” Booth said.
“I think the performance tonight was really good, there were a few bits where we could have gained a few extra points here and there but overall, I’m just super happy that he (Zidane) stayed with me, he looked after me.
“The weather conditions here, it’s pretty humid, he was super, so I’m stoked, really happy.”
Booth then explained just how much time and effort went in to facing the judging panel for the first Paralympics in five years.
“With any sport there’s so much that goes on behind the scenes to get one athlete here, and I’ve said it before, that I’m the one riding in the arena but there’s a whole team of people that have got me to this point,” she said.
“And with horses there’s just a whole other layer of things that need to be done in order to get them here.
“I don’t think a lot of people really realise just how much actually goes into, not only getting here, but then keeping the horse sound, getting them on that stage and actually being able to do our thing…. there’s a lot.”
Booth became emotional when explaining the impact that Zidane has had on her life since the pair were first introduced on the Mornington Peninsula.
“Zidane has taken me on a journey that is beyond words, he’s really changed my life, and he’ll retire after this,” Booth said, before wiping away her tears.
“So again, this was just so good to be able to do what I love with him…for the last time.
“He’s an amazing horse and one that is going to be very difficult to replace, so it’s going to be an emotional journey from here on here out.”
Booth said Zidane had definitely helped her with the healing process.
“Absolutely, after my accident in 2013 he really gave my life purpose and meaning and he’s done for me what I think no other person or people could have done,” she said.
“Him and my family and friends at home, and everybody that has supported us on the journey, it’s just been amazing.
“It’s just a really big relief to have actually done it and it’s been five years in the making, and that in itself has added a whole other layer to Zidane’s journey and getting him here.”
