Gold-level debut for Bodmin’s Flis Marriott

Four years ago, Flis Marriott and her horse Seran were competing at bronze level. This year the pair lined up in a Grand Prix arena against Paralympic and GB squad riders, and came away with a score Flis was still buzzing about days later.

A life turned upside down on a Cornish beach

Flis Marriott, 44, from Bodmin, has been tetraplegic since 2008, after a traumatic spinal injury she suffered while working on a beach. A qualified occupational therapist, she first sat on a horse in 2014, six years on from her injury.

The change came quickly after that. Within a year Flis was competing in Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) competitions at county, regional and national level, working her way up through a sport she had never expected to take on.

Bronze, silver and a Grand Prix arena

Seran joined Flis in 2018, and the partnership has built steadily ever since.

“We first started competing in para dressage in 2022 at bronze level and, in 2023, became triple national champions in the bronze, silver and bronze dressage to music classes,” said Flis.

This year the pair stepped up again, taking on the sport’s top level for the first time. “This year we competed in the summer gold against international, GB squad and Paralympic riders and came 4th with a really good score,” she said, of the Grade 1 Gold (Grand Prix B) national final that marked her gold-level debut.

The team behind the rosette

Getting horse and rider to that level takes more than talent. Flis is a GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) athlete in Cornwall, a scheme that gives its athletes free access to any of GLL’s leisure facilities nationwide.

“Being a GSF athlete enables me to do gym and fitness classes at Bodmin Leisure Centre. That helps me both physically and mentally to be the best I can be for riding. It also gives me access to Switch The Play Foundation, which is a great resource,” Flis said.

“I’ve used GSF funding for equipment and competitions, because it takes a big team to get Seran and I competing, and the support GLL provides is an important part of that.”

A new sport for the quiet moments

Training for para dressage hasn’t been the only focus this year. Seran was struggling with injury at the beginning of the year, and Flis needed another way to stay competitive while stepping up her gym and fitness work.

“I decided to start bench rest target shooting on a local indoor 25 yard range, which helps me be more present and mindful when I’m riding, because of the focus required. I’m now excited about both sports,” she said.

Karen Edmond, Community Sport Manager, organises GSF awards for GLL in Cornwall, and was delighted to hear of the result.

“Flis Marriott’s Gold Level debut on Seran has been remarkable, and I wish them ongoing success in the months and years ahead,” said Karen.

Applications for the 2027 GSF awards open on 20 December 2026, through the GLL Sport Foundation.