Rider, horse named best

Donnybrook para-equestrian champion Sharon Jarvis and her horse Applewood Odorado last month received a significant boost to their London 2012 Paralympics campaign after they were each given the sport’s highest honours in WA.

At a function in Perth on Friday, January 14 Jarvis, a 2008 Beijing Paralympian, was named the States’ Paraequestrian Rider of the Year — the second consecutive time she has received the accolade.

While she says that was an incredible honour, it was her second gong that was really special.

Jarvis was also awarded the Equestrian WA Sports Star of the Year award which recognises the best performed rider over all disciplines of equestrian.

Meanwhile her 14-year-old gelding was recognised for outstanding form in 2010, named the WA Horse of the Year.

‘‘Horse riding is such a partnership, I couldn’t do it without him and he couldn’t do it without me,’’ Jarvis said.

‘‘It was pretty special, and a pretty special year as well.’’

The accolades served to be more than the perfect ending to 2010, but also a grand enhancement to the pair’s Paralympic preparations that will see both rider and horse travelling around the globe to hone their skills ahead of the 2012 Games.

Later this year Jarvis, 32, will train in Europe for six weeks in May and June, before she spends the last half of the year based in the Eastern states with Applewood Odorado to compete in competitions.

This time next year, the pair will already be in the UK in the lead-up to the games, which kick-off in August.