Para-equestrian, 16, training on Long Island, aims to compete in 2028 Paralympics

On a cloudless August morning, 16-year-old Genevieve Rohner mounted a glistening dark brown gelding named Oleaje in the green fields of the Lloyd Harbor Equestrian Center.

Guided by an instructor through a wireless earpiece, she then entered a 20-by-60-foot arena and directed Oleaje, who wore a dazzling bridle with decorated gems, to walk, trot and canter, moving fluidly from letter to letter, in a pattern testing both rider and horse's athleticism.

Rohner, the youngest and only minor out of 13 para-equestrians in the country certified to compete internationally, is resuming her training after a one-year break. Her goal: to compete in the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.

She competes at the para-Grade 4 level, performing movements on horseback that are considered the crowning achievement of dressage, the art of training horses to reach their full potential in balance, flexibility and obedience. Her riding skill is all the more remarkable since she was born with cerebral palsy.

"It’s not a question of if she will compete in the Olympics, but when," said Ana O’Brien, who has been training the Park City, Utah, resident this week on Long Island.

A premature triplet, Rohner was born at 28 weeks and diagnosed with cerebral palsy at 18 months and with sensory processing disorder at 4 years old.

Cole, one of her two brothers, had a stroke at birth and also was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects the ability to control muscles and movement.

At 4 years old, Cole and Genevieve Rohner were accepted into hippotherapy clinical trials, which is a combination of physical, occupational and speech therapy that uses the natural movement of a horse to provide motor and sensory stimulation.

The moment Genevieve got on a horse, life instantly changed, said her mother, Lexi Rohner, a former professional figure skater and coach.

"I can count on one hand how many times I have seen a small child — and I can only compare it to skating — how many times I have seen a small child under the age of 5 truly connect with their sport that young," she said.

Horseback riding greatly helped both Genevieve and Cole cope with their condition, Lexi Rohner said. But from a young age, Genevieve had higher goals. At the age of 5, she recalled watching Olympic figure skating and told her parents she wanted to win a gold medal.

"She thought I meant figure skating, but I stomped my foot and told her, no, horses," recalled Genevieve Rohner, who, at 14, became certified to compete internationally.

Many para-equestrians begin their careers through therapy, then proceed to training, said O’Brien, who is a United States Equestrian Federation certified paradressage coach.

Para-equestrians are allowed to compete with certain aids depending on their abilities, such as magnetic stirrups to keep their feet in place. Otherwise, they compete and are judged in the same events as those in the Olympics for nondisabled riders.

"Lots of people don't understand that para is not something totally different," Lexi Rohner said. "Para means parallel, because she does everything that able-bodied riders do at her level."

Genevieve Rohner, who has weakness on her right side due to her cerebral palsy, compensates by wearing a rubber band around her foot and stirrup when riding.

The only other Grade 4 competitor in the group of 13 certified to compete internationally is bronze medalist Kate Shoemaker, who will be competing in the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris and who has become a mentor and friend to Genevieve, Lexi Rohner said

Para-equestrians are classified in five grades based on their abilities; Grade 5 is the highest, and is for riders considered the least affected in their skills by their disability.

Genevieve Rohner had been on track to train for this year's Paralympics at the end of the month, but when her mother was diagnosed with cancer, she took a one-year break. But unlike other sports, equestrians are not limited by their age when competing.

"Even if it's not 2028, I just want to get there eventually," Genevieve Rohner said. "And seeing how there's other people in the Olympics or the Paralympics who are older, I know I still have all that time ahead of me."

O’Brien, who trains para-equestrians at the center, said she first connected with Genevieve and Lexi Rohner about four years ago through social media.

They later met and arranged the training at a fundraiser held by Metropolitan Equestrian, a nonprofit that assists equestrians of all backgrounds with access to therapy programs and training. Genevieve has worked with the organization for the past five years, said Jane DaCosta, executive director and founder.

"I love her determination," O'Brien said of the training this week. "She's a great rider, great student, easy to get along with, she's fun, and she doesn't quit."

Now, Genevieve Rohner’s plan is to find an Olympic-level horse to train with and sponsors to help cover the cost of international competition leading to the Paralympics. On Long Island this week, she rode a horse owned by one of O'Brien's students, Joyce St. John. 

Meanwhile, she will continue training with her coaches in Utah three times a week while attending school online and preparing for Los Angeles.

"I just want to do the best that I can in the sport that I love," she said.

Correction: Jane DaCosta is the executive director and founder of Metropolitan Equestrian. An earlier version of this story misspelled her name.