way people ride, you wouldn't expect them to be disabled' By Kim Dismont Robinson Three of Bermuda's physically challenged equestrians will be representing the Island in the upcoming Riding for the Disabled World Championships in Denmark.

And if equestrians Kirsty Anderson, Phyllis Harshaw or Alexander (Sandy) Mitchell do well in the competition, they'll have a chance to test their skills at the Paralympic Games 2000, to be held in Sydney, Australia.

Bermuda's Riding for the Disabled will be hosting a dinner on May 2 to help raise funds.

The equestrians expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming competition which, they agreed, was of an extremely high standard.

Phyllis Harshaw has been riding horses for years -- "since my father was at the Shelly Bay race track'', she noted.

Ms Harshaw, who is legally blind, had her arm amputated at the age of eight when gangrene set in after a break.

But she said she has relatively little difficulty riding horses after learning to use her prosthesis.

"I've competed in all the shows and the Agricultural Exhibitions -- most people would remember me from riding "Freckles'', who actually developed one of the rare eye diseases I have,'' said Ms Harshaw.

"I stopped riding for about eight years after the birth of my son, but then I was asked if I wanted to go to England for the world championships in 1994.

"I had to get in shape and learn dressage -- and we were in a higher grade of dressage, so it was pretty complex.

"I placed tenth the first time I ever rode dressage in the world championships, and went on to attend the Paralympics two years ago -- which turned out to be an unfortunate experience.'' Ms Harshaw said the horses offered to her at the Atlanta Paralympics were of such poor quality that she was unable to compete.

"I went over there to compete, not just to participate, so I decided not to participate...I planned to use steel drums for my kur, which is freestyle dressage set to music -- I still have it and I may use it for the upcoming competition,'' she added.

Ms Harshaw said she uses her hearing to help navigate in the ring while competing, and has a "caller'' shout out her location when she's in an unfamiliar ring.

Kirsty Anderson said she first started riding horses on a recreational basis when she was just three years old.

"I grew up on a farm here, and I've never really taken riding very seriously because it was just a part of my life,'' she noted.

After graduating from university, she was also approached about competing in England and agreed to do it -- although she, like Ms Harshaw, had never before ridden dressage.

"It took a bit of adjusting for me because it was the first time I'd been classified as disabled,'' said Ms Anderson, who was born without her left hand and forearm.

"My parents raised me to believe that there was nothing I couldn't do, and then 23 years later I'm being classified as disabled,'' she noted.

"But the standard of riding (at the international competition) is incredible -- the standard is really mind-blowing -- so the term disabled doesn't really mean anything other than looking different.

"It's been an eye-opening experience what people are able to achieve... from the way people ride, you wouldn't expect them to be disabled and that's what makes the competition so good.'' The fundraising buffet dinner will be on May 2 at the Surf Club with entertainment by Jimmy Keyes.

The bar opens at 7 p.m., dinner is served with wine at 7.30 p.m. and Jimmy Keys performs at 9.15 p.m. Tickets are $100. For more information contact Chrissy Weatherhill on 238-3502.