Kim Decker, a para-equestrian competitor, has been invited by the Northern Virginia Therapeutic Riding Program (NVTRP) to tell her story on Sunday, May 1.

A member of the 2010 United States Equestrian Team at the World Equestrian Games, she finished 11th in Freestyle & 15th in the Para-Dressage World Championship test.

Her performances qualified her to compete in the 2012 Paralympics in London, England. To continue preparing for this event, she plans to compete during 2011 at local licensed dressage shows and at the United States Equestrian Federation Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships in Saugerties, NY.

The Centreville native’s success has not been easy. In 1986, shortly before her 18th birthday, Decker was involved in a car accident. She remained in a coma for almost four months. The traumatic brain injury she experienced in the accident required her to undergo years of physical, speech, occupational and vocational therapy at rehabilitation centers in Virginia and Colorado.

Fortunately, Decker had been a horsewoman before her accident, showing hunter/jumpers. Her goal during her rehabilitation was to compete once again. She met that goal in May 1998 when she participated in a Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia dressage competition in Leesburg.

Since 1999, Decker has demonstrated her dressage skills in elite shows from Saratoga, NY to Hong Kong. She inspires both riders and non-riders who watch her perform and listen to her speak about her life with horses. If you would like to attend this event, send an RSVP to info@nvtrp.org. Everyone is invited; the precise location will be revealed with your reply.