Shepparton equestrian star outlines LA 2028 Paralympics medal ‘dream’ after staggering comeback from spinal injuries
Shepparton equestrian star Mietta Innes-Irons has opened up on her staggering return to fitness following a series of debilitating spinal injuries - as she sets her sights on a podium finish at the Paralympic Games in 2028.
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The 31-year-old is a true daughter of the Goulburn Valley, having taken up riding at the age of just 4, before reaching the lofty heights of Grade One eventing and A-grade show jumping at pony club, just seven years later.
Having already reached those impressive milestones during her early years in the saddle, Innes-Irons would have been forgiven for having left the discipline after a series of career-threatening injuries over the past decade.
However, the Victorian’s relentless quest for glory remained undiminished - especially after the first of two major spinal injuries, which occurred back in 2017.
After a horse fell on her nine years ago, she was informed by doctors that she would likely struggle to walk again after suffering from L3–S1 and spinal cord torsion - let alone compete at the highest level of dressage.
She recalled that period of her life as formative as well as uniquely devastating as she went through a range of treatments from injections and infusions to radiofrequency ablation in an effort to burn problematic nerves.
An estimated 35 surgeries later and Innes-Irons regained some 95 per cent of function in her legs, albeit with her last decade having been marked by what she describes as ‘constant, intense, unremitting’ pain.
“I initially thought I had broken my back and I could barely walk - I was actually paralysed at the time and it was not looking good,” she said, as she outlined how her initial recovery played out.
“I didn’t think I would walk again and did months of intense rehab work, but I did walk again and made a good recovery.
“Eventually, I got back to eventing and was really determined to get back there, it was quite amusing before I was walking I’d gone and entered a competition and my mum said I could not go unless I could walk a cross-country course which is about 3km.
“So about three weeks before the event she said ‘if you can do a lap of Shepp Lake then you can go’.
“I did it on the Wednesday of that week and the event was on the Friday - so she was like ‘damn, I’ll have to take her now.“
After a spinal cord stimulator was implanted in her back in 2020 and she was able to juggle studying for a Masters in Osteopathic Medicine full-time, alongside riding several horses a day and working part-time following her return to the saddle.
Remaining ultra-fit during this period, she often ran over 100km per week while training for the Melbourne Marathon, alongside attending the gym for between four and six sessions a week.
“The [spinal cord stimulator] was put in November of 2020 and it was brilliant, it completely changed my life - I was off all nerve pain medication and got my life back,” she said, as she looked back over her gradual return to action.
That was until disaster struck once more for Innes-Irons when a harrowing accident led to her being informed that she would likely not be able to walk again back in 2021 - for the second time in just four years.
While opening a gate in wet conditions, she unknowingly came into contact with a live current, sending 4,500 volts through a spinal cord stimulator and causing severe spinal cord damage.
Doctors warned the injury would worsen over 18 months, leaving lasting nerve damage and a diagnosis of Post Electrocution Syndrome.
Although some movement returned by late 2023, she remains reliant on mobility aids.
“I slowly started showing more and more symptoms of losing function in my legs and sensation,” she said.
“The heat stays in the spinal chord [after electrocution] so it was just a case of waiting to see what the damage would be, she said, remembering the toil of experiencing another major blow to her health and its long-term impact on her health.
“It essentially singed my whole nervous system and left me with symptoms in my arms and hands as well.
“It’s left my legs pretty hit and miss, and I’m very much reliant on crutches or a wheelchair - that’s when I knew I couldn’t be jumping anymore.”
In 2024, further health complications arose, with the resident diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, believed to be triggered by the trauma.
A dedicated performer until the end, the Shepparton star ultimately refused to allow her health struggles define her - and she instead remained driven to defy the odds by returning to doing what she does best.
After it was suggested to her that she transition to Para Dressage, she has quite simply not looked back.
Fast forward to December and Innes-Irons comeback arc was complete when she received the call-up for the Australian Para Equestrian High Performance Squad (Green Squad), meaning she is currently adjudged by the Australian Institute of Sport to have future ‘podium potential’.
With the World Equestrian Games set to take place in Aachen, Germany in August, the rider has made no secret of her desire to fly the flag for Australia - while performing at the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 has become a realistic long-term goal.
“It’s so amazing to be able to do this for Shepparton and our community,” she said.
“It would be an incredible thought and, while I am very early on in my partnership with my horse, by the time LA comes around, hopefully our partnership will be much better [than now].
“It’s only going to get better from here, which is very exciting.”
For now, the Australian Grade V Para Dressage ace is steadfast in her determination to now represent her country on a regular basis at major events, which she plans to do alongside trusted horse Helmut, her beloved black Westphalian gelding.
To this end, the Shepp star will take part in the World Equestrian Games qualifying events at Boneo in May and Sydney in June.
She spoke with excitement ahead of these upcoming events, while also explaining that she is looking to raise funds in order to help with the expense of competitions and training, which includes travel, coaching, and the physical maintenance of horse Helmut.
“I’m the only rider to have gotten onto the Green Squad without having competed at the last World Games or Paralympic Games - so it shows that our performances are strong and going well,” she said.
“I have already had qualifying scores in all of my tests so far, with two more to go - even though I’m already qualified, I’ll still be pushing to improve those scores to make sure I’m on the team for Aachen.
“It would be a dream to be there, the support from the community has already been incredible.”
Having also found like-minded competitors who have shared similar experiences through Para Dressage, there is no doubt that she has found her people following what has been a decade of incredible highs and crushing lows.
“I’ve fallen in love with it and it’s quite amazing being around all these athletes that have gone through the kind of thing I have been through.
“I felt very lonely and felt like nobody understood the mourning and loss [of her injuries] but to see all these athletes who are paralysed or missing limbs who don’t let that stop their have the love for their horses.
“It’s an amazing community to be part of and it’s an incredible support network - they get it.”
You can donate to Innes-Irons’ Australian Sports Foundation fundraising effort here in order to help her and horse Helmut to take part in the upcoming World Equestrian Games.