The Goulburn Valley competitor is making her mark on the global stage, having previously gained a coveted spot on Team Australia’s High Performance Green Squad ahead of the Los Angeles Paralympic Games in 2028.
The 31-year-old, who was named as Shepparton’s Young Citizen of the Year in 2026, joining three other Australian competitors in the top-10 of the world rankings in their respective Grades this month.
Innes Irons placed sixth in the Grade 5 rankings, while compatriot Lisa Martin was announced as world number one - representing a first for an Australian para dressage competitor.
In addition, Bridget Murphy also holds the world number six ranking at Grade 2, while Claire Graham also was named in tenth place in Grade 3.
With the 2026 FEI Para Dressage World Championships taking place in Aachen, Germany, each of these competitors will be eager to make an impression at those Games between August 11–23.
When it comes to Innes Irons, she will be joined in Germany by her beloved black Westphalian gelding Sir Helmut, as she vies to continue her astonishing rise to province in para dressage.
Having fought back from two major spinal injuries over the past decade, she has battled her way back to fitness, as she pursues her dream of performing and winning at the very highest level.
Adjudged by the Australian Institute of Sport to have future “podium potential”, Innes Irons is eager to do her hometown proud in the coming years, with as she continues to target her dream of flying the flag at the Paralympic Games.
Speaking on the “Shepparton News Meets...” podcast, her pride for the region was palpable.
“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.”
16°C