Two thoroughbred industry stalwarts have been bestowed one of New Zealand’s highest honours in the King’s Birthday honour list, including Catriona Williams, who has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.
Williams, the founder and driving force behind the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, has been a pillar of the worldwide effort into spinal cord injury research over the last two decades, and her efforts were recognised on Monday.
Williams was one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders but following a riding accident more than 20 years ago, which damaged her spinal cord, resulting in Williams becoming a C6/C7 tetraplegic, she is now confined to a wheelchair.
Williams’ determined natured, which led to her becoming a top rider, was then harnessed to help researchers find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and as a result, the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust was formed in 2005.
It was very apt that Williams was honoured on the 20th anniversary of the Trust, but she said the accolade won’t dampen her resolve to find a cure.
“CatWalk was originally started by a group of friends who wanted to help me,” said Williams, who operates Little Avondale Stud with her husband, Sam.
“When we had a big chat about it, we talked about the fact that ACC are here for the practical things like ramps into houses and making things like showers accessible.
“We decided that if we were going to make a difference, we needed to back research and no one was doing it at the time. That is how CatWalk came about, and it has just grown from an idea into a real movement in 20 years.
“What we are really proud of is that we are now a global entity. We work closely with our partnerships with Spinal Research UK, Christopher Reeve Foundation, Perry Cross in Australia, and we are so close to some really significant breakthroughs, it is really exciting.
“We are 20 years in, which is great, but the ultimate goal would be for CatWalk to be obsolete and not required anymore. That’s a goal, and the money can go elsewhere. I am really proud of our team who continue to work so hard and keep the flag flying.”
Williams said the thoroughbred industry has been a pivotal supporter of the Trust.
“CatWalk could not have done it without the backing of the thoroughbred industry,” Williams said. “They have been an enormous support.
“We are not stopping yet, there is still more to achieve. It is not about the accolades, it is about getting people back on their feet, so there is more to come.”
Williams has also been recognised for her services to equestrian sport, with Monday’s honour complementing her induction into the Equestrian Sports New Zealand Hall of Fame two years ago.
She owes her love for the horse to her mother, Maureen, and said her formative years in the saddle were a key part in building her resilient nature and preparing her for the struggles of life in a wheelchair.
“I was lucky to have a mum that was horse mad and got me into horses,” Williams said. “I always say horses take you places, so it doesn’t matter whether it is polo, eventing, showjumping or racing, the relationship with the horse is key for so many reasons.
“Life is hard, and it throws a lot of challenges at you, and especially in the horse world. The highs are jolly high, but by golly the lows can be low. I think having that education on a horse at an early age set me up for dealing with this spinal injury.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, we all have our challenges, and it is about getting up, getting going and keep putting one foot in front of the other and doing the best you can.”
Williams has been inundated with messages since the announcement of her Damehood, but said the first to reach out this morning was Cambridge Stud’s Brendan Lindsay, who was also recognised in the King’s Birthday honours, having been appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business and philanthropy.
“One of the first texts this morning was from Brendan,” Williams said. “I feel very fortunate to be in great company and from someone I admire enormously for all the work that he has done from the business he built up and the work that he continues to do. To be beside him is a treat.
“I also had a beautiful text from one of our (CatWalk Trust) ambassadors this morning, Sophia Malthus, and her words were ‘congratulations, but most of all, thank you’, so that meant a lot.
“I got a lovely text from our ambassador, Lance O’Sullivan, and I received a really lovely video from Roddy and Gina Schick (Windsor Park Stud). It meant so much.
“We have great people in our industry, and I feel very fortunate to be here.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
