Pursuing Your Passion – Robyn Andrews and Fancianna’s Quest for Gold

Leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, I wrote a piece about Robyn Andrews, a Canadian Paralympic Dressage rider and her equine partner Fancianna. To recap, Robyn was a competitive figure skater as a child and won 3 consecutive provincial titles for her age group. At the age of 13, Robyn was diagnosed with a brain tumour and due to complications in surgery, was paralyzed by a stroke. After 18 months in a hospital in Ontario, enduing 17 further surgeries and intensive physiotherapy, Robyn returned to her home in Newfoundland and Labrador where her rehabilitation continued. While at home, Robyn began riding horses at the Rainbow Ridge Centre in St. John’s Newfoundland and her journey and blossomed since that day. She represented Canada at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy France and ultimately was a competitor at the