‘I have lupus, two hip replacements and diabetes’

Kirsten Binnie is defying medical odds to compete

“I HAVE severe lupus, which affects my joints and pancreas, and causes fatigue and muscle pain. And I also have two hip replacements and am diabetic.

“After years in and out of hospital seeking a treatment that would work, I was given an experimental drug that allowed me to turn a corner and begin riding again. I had bought a five-month-old Highland pony, Lagalgarve Beinn An Tuirc (Bertie), who was later backed and then ridden away by a friend. I then took over to begin my dream of competing in affiliated dressage, helped by my instructor Pam Millar.

“Bertie is now nine and at 13.2hh is often the smallest pony in the class, but he proved to be consistent and I decided to affiliate at prelim about 18 months ago. I usually only compete every few months due to fatigue, but we qualified for the Area Festival first round at the Cabin, Aberdeenshire, in August.

“Show days are not easy as I have to wash and prepare Bertie the day before, which uses up a lot of my energy, and I often don’t have a groom so I’m lucky that he’s well behaved — I just plug him into a haynet and he stands like a rock to get ready.

“Bertie surpassed himself as we had never been in a championship arena before with three judges. It was a big step up for us both; he had never seen a hut before and there were flowers everywhere. He finished with a qualification for the second round — but we were unable to go. So next year’s aim is to qualify again and compete at the Scottish second rounds.”