“We didn’t quite hit our best, but to even be here is a win,” said Julie Payne after winning the Niagara Equissage grade II para final at the Lemieux National Dressage Championships with Divinity. 

A couple of months ago the eight-year-old Don Frederico gelding was at Bourton Vale Equine Clinic with a mystery bacterial infection.

“I found him in his stable flat out on the floor – I thought he was dead,” explained Julie. “He didn’t move when I took his temperature, which was 42 degrees Celsius. We got him to the vets and they initially thought it was peritonitis. He was there a week, came home and then had to be rushed back for more IV antibiotics as he relapsed.” 

Thankfully, Divinity pulled through and has made it to the National Dressage Championships, where he and Julie scored 67.01% to triumph. 

“He’s had to step up to the plate earlier than I expected as my mare retired,” explained Julie, who has had the gelding for two years. “I was looking for a replacement, but with limited funds I was getting nowhere. I heard of one near Waregem, Belgium, when I was competing there, and then one was flagged up to me back in the UK in the south.

“Even driving there I was thinking, ‘I’m going to look at a horse I can’t afford’. I organised the vetting with the same thoughts, and we’d already looked at getting a loan. Then on the morning when I had to make a decision, I had two phone calls from people offering funds, and in the end my long-time friend Cornelia Cook stepped in and bought him for me.”

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She’s already abseiled down the ArcelorMittal Orbit building in London, climbed Snowdon — and won triple gold at the 2017 European Championships — but para dressage rider Julie Payne will taken on another huge challenge next month — climbing Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain.

The 57-year-old, who currently competes as a grade II para rider, suffers from multiple system atrophy (MSA), which she describes as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and chronic fatigue syndrome all in one.

In 2012, doctors told Julie that within two years she would not be able to walk or speak, and this incredible rider has already defied the odds by a huge margin. Now, she has launched a fundraising campaign to both raise money for the MSA Trust and help fund her bid for Tokyo Paralympic selection.

“Ever since I was diagnosed with MSA I’ve been doing things on my bucket list — things I’ve always wanted to do — and raising money for the MSA Trust,” said Julie, who will take on the Ben Nevis climb on 18 June.

“I will have a support group with me, which includes a paramedic who is also a climber, a photographer and a couple of other friends, who will carry my equipment for me so I can focus on the climb.”

Julie has been training for the climb using a treadmill and through her strength and conditioning regime that is part of the World Class programme.

Continues below…

“I don’t have much ability to push down with my legs so I’ve been walking on a treadmill with an incline and using the sides to help me, and I will use poles while climbing,” she told H&H.

“I have to take lots of rests because fatigue kicks in really badly, so it will be slow, but I don’t care how long it takes as long as I achieve it.”

This summer, Julie will also start working towards her Paralympic goal with a new horse, the six-year-old Don Frederico x Rotspon gelding Larkshill Divinity, or Leo as he is known at home.

Julie plans to campaign Leo nationally alongside her older mare Pandora, before aiming for a foreign international next spring.

“Leo is the sweetest, cuddliest horse you could come across — everyone who has met him has fallen in love with him,” said Julie. “He was advertised as 17hh but I would say he’s nearer 18hh — he really is massive!

“But he’s very relaxed and takes everything in his stride. He’s such a super natured boy, with a good walk and trot and an amazing canter.”

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Britain has claimed freestyle gold in every possible grade at the European Para Dressage Championships, with Sophie Wells and Julie Payne adding victories to Suzanna Hext’s grade III gold this morning.

Julie Payne rode Di Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg (pictured, below) to a euphoric victory at grade I, producing a stunningly beautiful test to score the highest mark of the championship, 80.39%.

It wasn’t foot-perfect, with a trip and half stride of canter coming into the early serpentine. But the pair showed great professionalism, quickly recovering their rhythm.

“As we moved off from the halt she wasn’t quite as active as I would have liked,” explained Julie. “She tripped and panicked a little, but the second I patted her she relaxed, and that actually gave her a little more activity in the rest of the test.”

Rihards Snikus and King Of The Dance slotted into silver for Latvia, with 77.36%, and Elke Phillipp took bronze for Germany aboard Regaliz.

Continued below…

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Sophie Wells went one better than her individual silver to take the grade V freestyle title. The Dutch rider Frank Hosmar set the bar high with a 76.95% but a powerful and emotive routine by Sophie and C Fatal Attraction (Jorge) shot them straight into the top spot with 78.35%.

“It was my first freestyle gold medal since the 2013 Europeans, since then I have been tipping away at the silver medals. It is just such an achievement every time you win a medal — each one means something slightly different,” said Sophie.

“He was tricky in the warm-up – he goes in on himself and holds back. I had no idea what I was going to get in there. But he pulled it out the bag when it mattered.

“My canter music is very dramatic, but the trot music is much lighter to help balance things out as he is a very elegant horse,” added Sophie of her goosebump-inducing Tom Hunt music. “I love riding this freestyle and I know it inside out.”

Don’t miss the 31 August issue of Horse & Hound, with full reports, analysis and expert commentary from the dressage, para dressage and showjumping European Championships in Gothenburg.

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Britain has rounded off a successful first day at the Para Dressage European Championships, with individual gold and silver medals to add to this morning’s gold and bronze.

At her first championship, Julie Payne produced a beautiful grade I test with Di Redfern’s Athene Lindebjerg, claiming the individual gold medal with a fantastic score of 77.64%. The 10-year-old mare (Gribaldi x Diamant) is no stranger to a championship arena, having won triple gold in Rio with Sophie Christiansen, and she produced another stunning performance here.

“That was the best test I’ve done on her, and one of the best feelings I have ever had. It’s the best adrenaline rush I’ve had since I was eventing,” said Julie, who suffers with multiple system atrophy. “This takes me back to when I was a little girl and I told my parents that one day I would ride at a major championship.

“It’s the biggest dream in the world and it hasn’t sunk in yet.”

Germany’s Elke Philipp and Regaliz took silver, with Latvian pair Rihards Snikus and King Of The Dance in bronze.

Continued below…

More from the Europeans…

Meet the Europeans-bound British para rider who is fighting a ‘death sentence’

In just two days’ time the European Para Dressage Championships will kick off in Gothenburg, Sweden (21 August 2017). Here's

Individual gold and bronze for Britain on day one in Gothenburg

Suzanna Hext and Erin Orford secure gold and bronze for Britain early on the first day of the Para Dressage

Britain’s para dressage team ready for action at Gothenburg Europeans

Find out when the British para dressage team will be in action on the first day of the European Championships

Sophie Wells added to Britain’s growing collection of silverware with grade V silver on her own and Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction. The 10-year-old ‘“Jorge” (Fidertanz x Olivi) was very much on his toes but held it together to score 71.78%, slotting in behind Frank Hosmar and Alphaville NOP of The Netherlands in gold (72.42%).

“He got quite nervous when he went in — the arena felt quite buzzy — so I felt I was sat on a bit of an exploding rocket, but he stayed with me and we got through it,” said Sophie. “I couldn’t show him off in the way you want to at a championship but it’s just his inexperience showing, and he usually gets better as he goes through a competition.”

Nicole Geiger and Phal De Lafayette took the bronze medal for Switzerland.

This follows gold and bronze for Britain in the grade III individual championship, with Suzanna Hext taking the top spot on Abira, and Erin Orford also making the podium with Dior.

All four Brits will be back in action tomorrow (Wednesday, 22 August), competing for the team medals. Britain has won gold at every para dressage championship to date.

Buy the current issue of H&H (dated 17 August) for our full European Championships preview in dressage, para dressage and showjumping, including full analysis of the British chances and the opposition, plus timetable and how to follow.Don’t forget to pick up next week’s issue (out 31 August) for the full report from the dressage, para dressage and showjumping.

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The FEI European Championships will get under way in Gothenburg, Sweden, tomorrow (Monday, 21 August) with the European Para Dressage Championships leading the way.

The para dressage team will be in action on day one of the championships, competing for individual medals across the grades. Erin Orford, a late addition to the team after Natasha Adkinson had to withdraw Sweet Caledonia before travelling to Sweden, will be the first rider into the arena for Britain. Erin and the 14-year-old Dimaggio mare Dior will perform their grade III test at 8.10am BST.

They will be followed by H&H blogger Suzanna Hext, also in grade III, who will ride Pammy and Charlie Hutton’s Abira (pictured above) at 9.10am BST.

Sophie Wells will attempt to repeat her grade V individual championship victory from the Rio Olympics, competing at 1.20pm BST. Sophie rides her own and Charlotte Hogg’s 10-year-old C Fatal Attraction, on whom she won team gold and double individual silver at the 2015 European Championships.

Finally, Julie Payne will make her championship debut at 2.20pm BST in the grade I division. Julie will partner Di Redfern’s 10-year-old mare Athene Lindebjerg, winner of three gold medals in Rio with Sophie Christiansen.

The para dressage team medals will be contested on Tuesday (22 August), with Britain gunning to retain their European title, having never been beaten at a para dressage championship. The para dressage freestyle will take place on Wednesday.

The British team for the European Dressage Championships features Carl Hester (Nip Tuck), Spencer Wilton (Supernova II), Gareth Hughes (Don Carissimo) and Emile Faurie (Lollipop 126) and they will begin their campaign on Tuesday, 22 August. The grand prix gets under way at 2pm BST on Tuesday.

Buy the current issue of H&H (dated 17 August) for our full European Championships preview in dressage, para dressage and showjumping, including full analysis of the British chances and the opposition, plus timetable and how to follow.

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In just two days’ time the European Para Dressage Championships will kick off in Gothenburg, Sweden (21 August 2017). Here's all you need to know about inspirational squad member Julie Payne and her quest for gold

1. Julie Payne has defied the odds

Five years ago, Julie’s doctor told her that within two years she would not be able to walk or speak, let alone ride — but here she is just days away from representing Britain at the European Para Dressage Championships. That’s not to underestimate the severity of Julie’s condition, multiple system atrophy (MSA), which she describes as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and chronic fatigue syndrome all in one. The progressive, incurable disease is a “death sentence”, but Julie credits riding with, quite literally, keeping her alive.

2. Unhorsey beginnings

Julie, now 55, grew up in a completely unhorsey family. She met a lady who lived nearby with a horse and as a child Julie would sit on her doorstep most mornings, waiting for her to come out to ask if she could go with her to feed her horse.

3. Past experience

Julie previously evented to advanced level, showjumped at grade B, competed in dressage up to inter II and did international endurance. “Because I have ridden all my life, I have the muscle memory that riders who were born with their condition don’t have,” she says.

4. Riding has always come first

“It took years to get diagnosed. At one point, I was in hospital for four months and they would let me out some weekends, for respite. But I would call the yard and tell the girls to enter something and we would go out competing. Nurses despaired of me,” she says. “When the consultant broke the news about MSA, my first question was, ‘Would I be eligible to apply to ride as a para?’.”

5. A helping hand — in the form of a giant German shepherd

Her giant German shepherd, Obie, is in training as a support dog. Currently, he takes off her socks, helps load the washing machine and turns on taps.

6. Partnered with an equine celebrity

Julie’s name on the Europeans team list may have come as a surprise to some — she admits she’s seemingly come out of nowhere. But few will fail to recognise the name of her horse: Athene Lindebjerg, none other than the brilliant black mare who won triple gold in Rio with Sophie Christiansen. Julie has only partnered the Paralympic gold medallist since May, but the pair are so far unbeaten in grade I competition. They have competed in just one international — the Hartpury CPEDI3* — but there they won all three tests with plus-75%.

Continued below…

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7. It’s not just with horses that she pushes herself…

Since her diagnosis, she has completed numerous challenges for charity — abseiling down the ArcelorMittal Orbit building in London, completing the world’s highest zip wire and climbing Snowdon. “I’m hoping to climb Ben Nevis next. I wouldn’t have done any of these things if it wasn’t for MSA. It made me get off my backside and do the things I’ve always wanted,” she says. “Eventually, 
I will end up trapped in my body and 
unable to move, but as long as I’m in a 
sitting position, somebody can always lift me onto a horse.”

Don’t miss our exclusive interview with Julie Payne, in the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine (17 August 2017)

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A talented rider is determined to make the British para dressage team at next year’s Paralympics — before her condition leaves her unable to ride.

Julie Payne, who has multiple system atrophy (MSA), is seeking a horse to compete and ultimately take her to Rio 2016.

In two year’s time Julie will be wheelchair-bound, but until then she wants to make the most of her time in the saddle.

The grade IV para rider, who runs a livery yard in Oxford, had been competing her loan horse, Little Lewis.

Julie and Little Lewis qualified for the British para dressage championships at Hickstead (26-27 June) and were selected to go to the three-star international at the 2015 festival of dressage at Hartpury (July 8-12).

However, the 18-year-old gelding was beginning to show his age and Julie decided to retire him before these competitions.

She is now looking for a horse of at least prix st georges standard and hopes to be chosen as travelling reserve for the British para dressage team.

“To be selected as a reserve would just be the absolute icing on the cake,” Julie told H&H.

“It would be a fantastic end to my career — it would just be incredible.”

Julie was diagnosed with MSA in August 2013 and was given two to seven years to live.

She began competing in para dressage immediately after her diagnosis.

“It’s like having multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, Parkinson’s and chronic fatigue syndrome all in one,” she said.

“My voice wavers sometimes — I know what I want to say but I can’t get my words out, so speech can be a problem.

“I have weakness all over but I am generally quite weak down my right side of my body.

“My balance walking is very bad and my coordination has been affected.”

Julie added that when riding her balance improves.

“When I sit on a horse it’s better — the horse seems to counteract my sense of straightness,” she said.

Those who can help Julie with her search for a horse can contact her at driftequestrian@gmail.com

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