Emily Floyd, a clinical director and internal medicine specialist at Rossdales Equine Hospital, will support a disabled rider in her bid to become the first para-equestrian to cross the Andes mountain range on horseback.
Emily will travel to Argentina in February to be part of a five-strong female crew supporting Steph Quintrell, who lost her mobility in 2019 after suddenly becoming unwell with a neurological condition, as she attempts to ride 143km (88 miles) across the world’s longest mountain range.
The ‘Ride to Independence’ expedition is expected to take seven days and the team will be riding native Peruvian Paso and Chilean Criollo horses, with pack mules carrying their equipment and camping gear. Starting in Argentina and finishing in Chile, the team will be travelling at heights up to 4,400m.
Emily said: “Steph is an incredible person and it’s an honour to be part of her team. Two years ago, she became the first wheelchair user to ride across the Pyrenees from France to Spain, because she’s determined to show everyone that the impossible can be possible and that disability shouldn’t be a barrier. When I heard she was doing another expedition, I jumped at the chance to be involved, although I am equally excited and terrified at the same time.”
“It’s hugely exciting to be exploring such amazing countries and landscapes and I’m most looking forward to the feeling of being in that vast expanse of outdoors. We’ll be following the route taken in 1817 by the Army of the Andes when it liberated Chile from the Spanish monarchy, and it will be very special to follow in such historic footsteps.”
“There will, however, be a lot to challenge us. We’ll be a long way from civilisation and will need to cope with rocky terrain, steep climbs, changes in altitude and extreme weather conditions that could range from snow and ice to intense sun. Our role is to help support Steph and each other as we overcome the obstacles that face us. The trip will be physically demanding so I’m focusing on building up my general fitness, which will also help me cope with the difference in altitude.”
Emily rides a friend’s horse, Indie, every week and has been preparing for the long days in the saddle during the expedition, she has met up with Steph and the other team members, who live all over the UK, for trekking weekends over the varied terrain in Wales. She has also been raising money to help cover the costs of the expedition by sharing her veterinary knowledge through webinars and by hosting a client evening at Rossdales, and VetPartners has made a donation through its charity fund.
If any additional funds are raised by the team members, they will be donated to not-for-profit organisation Equine Para-Adventures, which was set up by Steph, to help provide opportunities for disabled adults to be involved in equine challenges and adventures.