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Fiona Howard

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Fiona Howard
Personal information
Born (1998-12-14) December 14, 1998 (age 25)
England
Home townBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Alma materNortheastern University
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportPara equestrian
DisabilityDystonia
Disability classGrade II
Medal record
Paralympics
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Individual championship test grade II
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Individual freestyle test grade II
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team

Fiona Howard (born December 14, 1998) is a British-American para equestrian. She competes in Grade II para dressage.[1] She represented the United States at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.

Early life and education

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Howard was born to an American mother and British father in England, and was raised in London. Starting when she was 11 and continuing into her teenage years, she faced a number of health problems. Issues with her bones inhibited walking. Her digestive system was impacted by bouts of scarlet fever and Lyme disease, resulting in the permanent use of a feeding tube. Howard immigrated to the United States in 2016 while pursuing medical treatment at Boston Children's Hospital.[1][2][3]

She entered Northeastern University in 2017, and graduated in 2021 with a degree in psychology.[1]

Career

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Howard began riding at age three, joining Pony Club age age four.[2][4] As a child, she competed in reining.[1] At age 14, Howard represented Great Britain at the 2013 FEI European Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders. She returned to the competition in 2016.[2]

Following time away from the sport due to health issues, Howard resumed riding in college.[1] She began competing in para dressage in 2021. In 2022 she competed as a Grade II para dressage athlete at the FEI Perrigo CPEDI3* at the Tryon Summer Dressage. In 2023 she and her horse, Jagger, came second in the Grade II event at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Week 3 CPEDI3*.[2]

Howard was named to the United States Paralympic equestrian team in July 2024.[5] At the 2024 Summer Paralympics Howard won gold in the individual championship test grade II,[6] the individual freestyle test grade II,[7] and the team event[8] with mount Diamond Dunes, whom she has worked with since early 2024.[2][5]

Since 2022 she has trained in Wellington, Florida with fellow para equestrian Kate Shoemaker.[5][9][3] She also trains in Germany in the spring and summer.[1]

Personal life

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Howard lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Outside of riding, she works remotely at Boston Children's Hospital as a clinical cardiac research assistant.[1][9]

She was diagnosed with dystonia at age 19, and uses both crutches and wheelchair. She has a service dog named Elvis.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Velasco, Schuyler. "Fiona Howard's body was collapsing. Now she's a world-ranked dressage rider aiming for the Paris Paralympics". Northeastern Global News. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Fiona Howard". US Equestrian. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  3. ^ a b "Paralympic equestrian athlete training for success in Palm Beach County". WPTV News Channel 5 West Palm. 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  4. ^ "Rider Spotlight: Fiona Howard". gdf.coth.com. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  5. ^ a b c Velasco, Schuyler (0808). "Northeastern graduate Fiona Howard named to 2024 U.S. Paralympic dressage team". Northeastern Global News. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
  6. ^ "Individual Event - Grade II Results". www.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  7. ^ "Individual Freestyle Event - Grade II Results". www.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2024-09-08.
  8. ^ "Para Equestrian - Team Event - United States of America". paralympic.org.
  9. ^ a b Berreth, Lindsay (2024-04-03). "Short-Listed Fiona Howard Is Making Waves In Para Dressage". The Chronicle of the Horse. Retrieved 2024-08-28.
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