Tales from Tokyo: ‘I went in there a nobody and came out a Paralympian’ says 63-year-old

Tokyo Paralympics Rosemary Jean Gaffney — Ireland's Rosemary Jean Gaffney riding Werona in action during the Dressage Individual Test - Grade Four during day two of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games at The Equestrian Park in Japan. Picture date: Thursday August 26, 2021.

(Image credit: PA)

“Isn’t it wonderful?” said Ireland’s Rosemary Jean Gaffney, who made her Paralympic debut at the Tokyo Games aged 63. “I went in as a nobody came out as a Paralympian rider.

“To get to the Paralympics has been been a dream of mine all along, since I had my first accident in 2007. I’ve been reserve for the last two [Games], and this time I made it so I’m thrilled. I’m a late developer! I’ll definitely be back again. I’m on cloud nine.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.

Tales from Tokyo: ‘I went in there a nobody and came out a Paralympian’ says 63-year-old

Rosemary, who sustained serious multiple leg fractures and lasting damage as a result of falls in 2007 and 2014, partnered the 12-year-old Werona to a score of 65.39% in the grade IV individual contest.

“She’s a super mare and she was really, really good,” said Rosemary, who co-owns the “very sweet” Painted Black daughter with Susan Smallman.

“I was thrilled with the way the ride went. Obviously I’d like a little higher marks but you know, we will reflect on that one tomorrow. But for tonight, I couldn’t have asked her to be any better.

“You know, it’s huge atmosphere in here, even though it’s empty. It’s a huge ask for any horse, particularly for her – she’s quite a hot mare, and she behaved herself so well. She never put her foot wrong, so I’m absolutely thrilled with her.”

Rosemary, a lecturer at Kildalton College in Co. Kilkenny, added she received “amazing” support from the college.

“All the students set up a WhatsApp group and the staff have been behind me all the way,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better employer to look after me and to look after the horses.”

One of Rosemary’s students, Shannon Acheson, was also supporting in Tokyo as her groom.

“She has just finished her course now, once we come back from Tokyo,” she said. “She stayed on to come to Tokyo with me, and she’s a wonderful young woman. She is very competent and very capable and she’ll be teaching the next generations.”

You might also be interested in:

Tales from Tokyo: side-saddle rider Barbara Minneci – ‘this would have been the most beautiful Games ever’

Tales from Tokyo: terror attack survivor Beatrice de Lavalette – ‘setting Paralympic goal in ICU was a dream, now fulfilled’

H&H Tokyo rider of the day: meet the Paralympian who underwent chemotherapy and open heart surgery months before Tokyo

H&H Tokyo rider of the day: history-making Paralympian bows out – ‘I decided before Tokyo that this would be my last Games’