Her history
My name is Flore Espina, I'm 36 years old and I'm an amputee paradressage rider grade V.
My main goal is to live every moment fully and show humanity that most of the limits are in our minds.
The worst disability is fear, being afraid of failing before trying. My motto is first try it and then you can decide if you can or not.
I was born in Switzerland and I have been passionate about horses since I started riding at the age of 4.
When I turned 18 I decided to move to Spain where I wanted to study a career in veterinary medicine, which was my dream since I was a little. I moved to another country with many illusions and little money but with the firm promise of fulfilling my goal.
Accident
After 1 year in Spain doing different jobs to save enough money to start my studies, in 2006 I had a fatal motorcycle accident, a car hit me and I broke my leg.
In the hospital as a result of medical negligence, my leg became gangrene and they had to amputate it. After 100 days admitted to the ICU, 27 operations and a multi organ failure, I saved my life and my will to live won the game.
Recovery
I was 21 years old, a mutilated body and I had to relearn to walk, to get up, to climb stairs, to love my new body and to live with other people's glances. Then I realized that life gave me a second chance and that it was better for me not to waste it. So I woke up every day with the firm intention of being happy and doing whatever I set my mind to.
I started riding without a leg and without a prosthesis. At first it was very difficult because I was physically weakened and mentally exhausted but I stuck to horse riding as my best rehabilitation.
Studies and motherhood
After the accident, I first started to work and raised the money for my studies, then I got a degree in veterinary medicine and I had my son Noah. He was my most beautiful revenge on life. When I finished my studies I began to compete in para dressage and in the first season I was part of the Swiss team and I represented the nation in an international competition in addition to doing several national ones. The second year I was promoted to the elite category and I continued to represent Switzerland and I was shortlisted for the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Future goals
My short term goal is to qualify for the next world cup that will take place in Denmark next summer 2022. I want to continue competing nationally and internationally. The biggest goal in the medium-term is to qualify again for the next Olympics that will take place in Paris in 2024.
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