Alison Dolan lost her vision 12 years ago, when she was 33, and she never thought she would ride again, according to an article by Jane Lerner in The Journal News (www.journalnews.com). She not only has become the first vision-impaired certified therapeutic riding instructor, she became the first blind rider to compete in the Exceptional Challenge Cup at the American Royal Horse Show in Kansas City, Mo.

Dolan won the Challenge Cup against nine other riders with varying disabilities.

She hopes to return to Kansas City next year to defend her title, and wants to become a member of the U.S. Paraympic equestrian team for the 2008 Olympics