Stella Barton started horse riding at Riding for the Disabled when she was seven years old. At what was meant to be her final lesson, Canadian equestrian para-coach Mary Longden saw her ride, telling Stella and her family she should be training for the Paralympics. Stella was introduced to renowned coach Sally Francis OAM at 14 years old, describing it as a ‘true sliding doors moment’, all thanks to her mother. Francis still coaches Barton today. In 2022, Stella graduated from university and decided to dedicate the next 18 months working towards selection for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Pride …
Read MoreStella Barton started horse riding at Riding for the Disabled when she was seven years old. At what was meant to be her final lesson, Canadian equestrian para-coach Mary Longden saw her ride, telling Stella and her family she should be training for the Paralympics.
Stella was introduced to renowned coach Sally Francis OAM at 14 years old, describing it as a ‘true sliding doors moment’, all thanks to her mother. Francis still coaches Barton today.
In 2022, Stella graduated from university and decided to dedicate the next 18 months working towards selection for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Pride for the green and gold undoubtedly runs in the Barton blood with Edmond Barton, Australia’s first Prime Minister, Stella’s great, great, great uncle.
For Stella, competing at the Paralympics would be a dream come true, she believes representing Australia at an international level such as the Paralympics is the ultimate honour and recognition of excellence in sport.
When she’s not training and competing Stella enjoys reading, art and is a history-buff.
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