Triumph over disabilities takes on a whole new meaning this month.

Visiting is talented equestrian and Paralympic silver medallist Angelika Trabert, who will be competing in the Fun Horse Show sponsored by the Bermuda Equestrian Federation.

Born without her legs, she has not let her handicap defeat her.

Ms Trabert originated from Dreiech, Germany, near Frankfurt where she works as an anaesthesiologist in a University Hospital.

But her real love for most of her life has been horseback riding.

"I've always wanted to sit on a horse,'' she told The Royal Gazette yesterday. "I started when I was six years old.

Rider overcomes odds "I would start and then I would stop because I could not find a horse or a teacher to teach me or a stable who would allow me to train.'' "However, I was able to find a good trainer and begin my riding lessons,'' she added. "I started riding with artificial legs. After a while I started to ride without them and that is how I've been riding ever since. In 1989, I got a first saddle, that is when I started riding dressage.'' She has won an individual silver medal and a team gold medal in the Disabled World Championships in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark in 1991, two individual silver medals at the Paralympics in Hartpury, England in 1994, as well as two silver medals in the Paralympics in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996 and two individual and one team silver in Vilhelmsborg, Denmark in 1999.

"I became a riding instructor for non-handicapped as well as handicapped people,'' Ms Trabert said.

"I now teach especially handicapped children on Saturdays.'' "I got my horse (Ghazim) six years ago and have had the usual problems with him that are typical of any rider,'' she added.

"I think it is special to ride a horse because I can compete against non-handicapped people. On the horse we are equal. There is unity together with your partner (horse).

"It is much easier for me to get around on a horse than in a wheelchair or on my artificial legs. I feel free.'' "On a horse it does not matter that I do not have my legs,'' she explained.

"My weight or any other aid can make the horse move a certain way as long as the horse can understand me.

"Riding (without legs) is not a disability, it is an ability.'' Ms Trabert is expecting to compete in the Paralympics held in Sydney Australia in October next year.

The Bermuda Equestrian Federation is hosting a November Fun Horse Show.

The show will be held at the Botanical Gardens and will feature local riders as well as riders from abroad. According to Mrs. Rosalind Collins, publicity officer for the event.

"There will be team competition in hunting and jumping,'' Mrs. Collins said.

The event is to raise funds for the Bermuda Equestrian Federation.

Ann Lindroff, fellow equestrian and competitor, said: "The two-day programme boasts a wide variety of horsemanship categories so as to include all Bermudian equestrians.'' Events at the show will include carriage driving, racing ponies, barrel racing, western parade, gymkhanas, and inter-stable team jumping competitions.

"This is our second annual Bermuda Equestrian Federation fund-raising show,'' Mrs. Collins said.

"I'm so thrilled that we had such a good response to the team competition events. We have nine teams competing in the hunter team event.'' Eight teams will compete in the jumping competition.

"We are delighted that Mary Jane Tumbridge, our local champion, will be competing along side our local riders,'' Mrs. Collins said.

"Our international riders train and compete abroad so we don't get a chance to see them. "She is really professional. She won gold in the Pan American Olympics this summer.

"Actually, we have three guest riders for the show.

"Erynn Ballard was brought in by the Spicelands Riding Centre from Canada.

The Port O'Call Restaurant sponsored the airfare for Angelika to come to our Island.''