A PARA dressage athlete who has set her sights on representing Team GB has revealed how she has sacrificed nights out and time with friends to train at a professional level.

Horse rider Alison Fryer suffered a stroke during birth which has resulted in her right side of her body being significantly weaker.

She grew up in Marlborough and studied in Austria, before moving back to the UK in 2014. Realising her passion horse riding, she returned to the sport, despite not having ridden since a teenager.

Taking on dressage, a sport focusing on precision and accuracy has seen her life change dramatically as she put her social life on hold to compete at a national level.

She trains with horses Boris and Sandy, and gives herself just one night off a week, as well as working full time.

Although her riding career began just six months ago, she has already been selected and competed in the British Dressage South west at the para Home Internationals. She recently found out that she had been selected to represent Team GB in the CPEDI 1 at Bishop Burton in Yorkshire.

Financial constraints mean that this year she is unable to go but has her sights set on 2019’s competition.

Ms Fryer, 31, of West Overton, said: “My life now solely relied on work and horses. I have had to compromise my social life but I am happy to do that.

"My family are more important to me now because they look after me and make sure I spend some time looking after myself.

"Every Saturday night I go to bed really early, I call it sacrifice Saturday night but I feel better for it and I don’t mind at all. Friendships have to be sacrificed but I will ask them to come to see me ride and although I cannot speak to them, that is one way that they support me.

“I have a totally different mindset and view than when I was younger - I used to ride and make excuses why I couldn’t improve or be the best. However, now I’m consistently looking at how every element of my life contributes to my success - the competitive aspect has given me a focus and drive to become the best - no excuses are allowed.”

Despite her successful year Ms Fryer has already begun a gruelling training regime ahead of next year’s trials.