Catriona Williams
Catriona Williams | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Williams in 2010 | |
| Known for | Founding the Catwalk Spinal Injury Trust |
| Awards | Community Hero award, Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit |
Catriona Ruth Williams MNZM is a New Zealand equestrian and tetraplegic. Williams set up the Catwalk Spinal Injury Trust to raise funds for research into spinal injury. In 2014 Williams was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to spinal cord injury research.
Equestrian achievements
[edit]Williams grew up on a farm in Martinborough.[1] She competed in eventing and showjumping in New Zealand and overseas.[2] She was twice winner of the Pony Jumper of the Year, and twice winner of the Showjumping Rider with the Most Points at the Horse of the Year Show. She was placed 15th in the Open Europeans at Burghley and 15th at Saumur and Badminton the same year. She represented New Zealand in the World Cup Showjumping Final in Sweden in 1999, placing 38th.[2]
Catwalk Spinal Injury Trust
[edit]Williams was suffered a spinal injury in a fall while riding in the horse trials at Kihikihi on 10 November 2002.[3][4][1] The fall left her tetraplegic, with limited use of her hands and arms.[1] After her injury, Williams set up the Catwalk Spinal Injury Trust to raise funds for research into spinal injury. The trust gave a large grant to found the Spinal Cord Research Facility at the University of Auckland, led by Louise Nicholson, Simon Carroll and Colin Green.[5] The trust also funds project grants.[6][7]
Williams undertakes sporting events to raise funds for spinal research and awareness of spinal injuries. She completed the New York marathon, cycled to Mount Everest base camp, and in 2024 cycled from Scotland to London.[8][4] By 2019 she had raised $10 million for the Catwalk Trust.[4]
Honours and awards
[edit]
In 2010 Williams was awarded a Sir Peter Blake Emerging Leader Award.[9][7]
In the 2014 Queen's Birthday Honours Williams was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to spinal cord injury research.[10]
In 2016 Williams was winner of the Community Hero section of the New Zealand Women of Influence Awards.[11] She has twice been nominated for New Zealander of the Year Awards, in 2011 and again in 2014.[3]
Williams was added to the NRM Horse of the Year Show Hall of Fame in 2014, and the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame in 2023.[12][2]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "The Tremendous Spirit Of Tetraplegic Catriona Williams - Who Defies Odds To Fundraise For Spinal Cord Injury Research". Now to Love - New Zealand. 22 February 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b c "Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame: Catriona Williams". ESNZ. 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Catriona a finalist for NZer of Year". NZ Herald. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b c Russell, Emma (7 January 2019). "Injured Olympic rider heads $10m charity". NZ Herald. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "Spinal Cord Injury Research Facility – The University of Auckland". www.auckland.ac.nz. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
- ^ "Our Founder - The CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust". 20 May 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ a b "Catriona Williams". Blake NZ. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ ""Burghley and Badminton Rolled into One" says Catriona | ESNZ". ESNZ | The New Zealand National Federation for equestrian sports. 3 December 2024. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "Sir Peter Blake Leadership Awards 2010 | The Governor-General of New Zealand". gg.govt.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "The Queen's Birthday Honours List 2014 | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "2016 Winners". Women of Influence. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
- ^ "Horse Of The Year :: News". www.hoy.co.nz. Retrieved 26 December 2024.
External links
[edit]- My Story - Catriona Williams, CatWalk Founder, 10 March 2023, via YouTube
- Catriona Williams - Finalist, Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year 2014, 20 Jan 2014, via YouTube