By Ian Ewing
LONDON – It was the pinnacle of Jody Schloss’ 15-year recovery.
Under a cool late-day sun in Greenwich Park, Schloss competed in her first Paralympic event Friday, Aug. 31. Atop her horse, Inspector Rebus, she found her place among the equestrian elite, riding in the team test dressage event for Canada.
The Court at Barrhaven resident guided Rebus through the required maneuvers with grace and subtlety, horse and rider connecting with the mutual care and understanding that forms the cornerstone of their relationship.
“I love my horse. I always want to do my best for Rebus, and he usually wants to do his best for me,” she explained after her ride, drawing a chorus of laughter.
It’s riding that has had the biggest impact on her life since a car accident in her early 20s left her in a coma for three months, and in hospital for three years. A rider in her youth, she eventually returned to the sport for therapeutic purposes after the accident.
Now 39, Schloss has climbed the ladder in international para-equestrian, competing in the Grade 1A class, for athletes with the highest levels of impairment.
In front of friends and family who had made the trip across the Atlantic to witness her first Games, the Swan Manor Stables-based athlete focused herself and her horse, despite the large and not-perfectly-silent audience at the venue.
The Paralympian uses a “caller” to help her navigate the arena, which a boisterous crowd can easily interfere with. But she noted afterward that she didn’t really notice the crowd.
“We were in a bubble, ignoring everyone. Rebus wanted to look around, but I wouldn’t let him.”
Aware that her coach was standing nearby listening, she added, “And I wanted to look around, but my coach wouldn’t let me!”
After her competition ride was complete but before having exited the ring, nearly every spectator began waving both arms in a “sign language cheer” to express their appreciation – the common salute made prior to the vocal show of support they give once they leave the ring.
“I liked it,” Schloss noted, “but Rebus didn’t.”
After all the scores were in, it was a good showing for the Canadian and her equine partner. They finished 12th in the team test out of 14 riders in the Grade 1A event.
“I think we did well,” Schloss added. “It was our first big competition.”
Schloss also competed in the individual championship test on Sunday, Sept. 2. In a ride that counted for individual medals, as well as applying towards the team score, Schloss improved, finishing tied for 10th. The Canadian team as a whole finished eighth out of 16.
But there was something even more important that the final results. Having overcome tragedy and crushing debilitation to compete at the highest level, Schloss once again proved herself stronger than her circumstances.
“I have learned that my disability does not define who I am,” noted the disability studies student who is midway through her Masters. “What I am doing with my life, and my desire to help people, I hope defines who I am as a person.”