Mari Durward-Akhurst, a Paralympic hero who won bronze in Paris 2024, has faced numerous life-threatening battles with sepsis over the past two years. Despite being wheelchair-bound due to a rare neurological condition, she continued to excel in competitive dressage, representing Great Britain in international contests.

Her journey was marked by repeated bouts of sepsis, including a severe case of urosepsis in 2023 that left her with slurred speech and nausea. Despite these challenges, Mari’s determination led her to achieve sixth place individually and win a bronze medal in freestyle at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, a remarkable feat given her health struggles.

Mari’s passion for horses began at a young age and became her sanctuary, helping her overcome bullying in school and later navigate the challenges of her neurological condition. Despite setbacks from sepsis, she continues to train and has her sights set on future competitions, including the FEI Para dressage European Championships and the LA 2028 Paralympics.