Michele Duthy

Disipline Para Equestrian 

I’ve been riding since I was 10 and loved to compete in eventing until I had a bad fall in 2017.

In 2024, I was classified as a Grade 4 Para athlete and have now become passionate about dressage and training my dressage ponies to be the best we can be.

My Welsh cobs, Kenda Park Edwardian (Eddie) and Haluma Park Siorus (George) are my two competition ponies. I also have 3 retirees.

I have only had Haluma Park Siorus for 4 months and in the two competitions we have competed in, we won the FEI Championship at the SA Para Festival and Reserve Champion Gd 4 in our first 2 star CPEDI (international event) at Boneo. I was thrilled to be achieving success as we begin on the pathway towards our goals of being on the EA High Performance team and qualifying for the Brisbane Paralympics.

It is exciting to be continuously learning and challenging myself. I plan, train and assess our health and performance in order to continuously improve in a harmonious partnership.

I tried all sorts of diet analysis programmes over the years and always felt I was over feeding and wasting money but to know Hi Form provides access to the expertise of qualified equine nutritionists who can design an individualised diet or problem solve a condition like equine asthma or allergies is amazing!

I nearly lost George to colic a few weeks after he arrived in SA. Antoinette provided advice on the best way to support his recovery. Hi Form feed and supplements have been integral to his ability to bounce back and compete. Equigesic Plus was vital in restoring a healthy gut microbiome, especially after all of the medication he had in ICU.

My ponies love their AlphaFibre cubes. I feed them wet with their supplements mixed in but they also like them dry as treats.

Whilst I feed several supplements, the amount used is so small it really is cost effective. I use Oxydane, Proflammaid Plus, Equigesic Plus, BioEquus Gold, Alphaflax and Electroplus. I love the way they complement each other and I know I am not providing too much of one essential element and not enough of another. As an FEI competitor, it is important to know and record everything my horse is fed or treated with. I am reassured that the products are pure, human grade and don’t have binders and fillers.

Integrity and community is important to me. I am the chairperson of the inaugural Equestrian SA Para Equestrian Discipline committee. My aim is to develop a supportive pathway for people with disabilities who love horses, to participate in the sport and feel the joy from the partnership with their horse in a supportive, inclusive community. I look forward to being a part of the Hi Form community.