An Introduction to Team Tyas

Lindsey Tyas:
Paralysed down her right side at the age of 4 as the result of a road accident, Lindsey was unconscious and on a life support system but opened her eyes in response to her parents’ offer of a Red Rosette!  Before leaving hospital she was told by her consultant that she must never ride again but even at that tender age she was very determined and with the back up of her family has continued to ride. She is a seasoned traveller having driven with the International Horse Journey Team on the final 500 mile leg of their epic 3000 mile   journey across America by horse and carriage promoting equestrian sports for people with disabilities. She has since joined forces with Horse Journey and driven through Europe and England visiting hospitals, raising awareness of disability and money for charity.  Lindsey fits a tight schedule of training and competing around working full time. She recently qualified as a level 1 UKCC (UK Coaching Certificate), and using her newly acquired skill she has been supporting Alison with training. Lindsey believes the experience has provided her with a strong base to help her develop as a coach, and hopes to help improve the skills of other potential drivers of the future.  

Lindsey represented Britain at the age of 18 at the First International Championships for Disabled Drivers at Hartpury and subsequently represented Britain three times with her original pony.  In 2000 driving a borrowed horse, she was on the British Silver medal winning team at the World Championships for Drivers with Disabilities in Austria and in 2002 competed at the first International Pairs Driving event for drivers with disabilities. She successfully competes at national level with “London Flash Jack” and together they have represented GB at four World Championships. In 2006 at the World Championships in Holland, she was third in the dressage and the fastest of the British on the marathon. She narrowly missed out on an individual medal but helped the team to secure Silver. In preparation for the 2010 World Championships Lindsey competed in 2009 as GB representative on an international team at Conty, France showcasing the sport. She was 1st in the dressage phase, and a double clear in the final cones phase meant that she secured the Bronze medal. In 2010 she won the National Para Equestrian Championship at Escrick, Yorkshire and is the current national Champion. Lindsey is now preparing a training programme for herself and her horse in preparation for next year’s World Championships and together with the back-up of her partner, Gordon Paice, is delighted to have the support of Online Lighting in her bid for success.  "Lindsey is a real asset to the sport, watching her in action in France shows how much someone with no financial support but talent and passion can achieve." Hilary Francois, Equestrian Centre Manager at Easton College.  

Alison Tyas:
Alison was diagnosed with leukaemia in 1980 and underwent chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment at the Royal Marsden, Sutton over two years. Although only four years old at the time she undertook a 10 mile sponsored ride in between treatments. She was a member of the Pony Club and attended events with her sister and brother. In 1990 she took part in the Shetland Pony Grand National at Olympia and raised over £2,000 for the Bob Champion Trust. As a result of this she was offered a pony to ride and continued racing for four years, when her younger brother then took over her ride and also competed at Olympia. Together with her sister Lindsey, Alison participated in Journey Across America, and later supported the horse journey team travelling from Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico. During the winter months Alison competes in the indoor driving competitions and in 2011 qualified for the Championships at Keysoe. Recently she has had the opportunity to take up the reins in outdoor events and compete in Novice qualifiers with Jack. At the recent Windsor Park Regional competition she qualified for the National Championships to be held in September. She has also supported Lindsey at Para Equestrian competitions both at home and abroad.

Paul Tyas:
A main stay of team Tyas, Paul has been involved on the competition circuit for over ten years. Over the years he has gained considerable experience as a groom and is now a seasoned ‘back stepper’. He has groomed for Lindsey in the UK and also abroad and also backsteps for Alison. He is a dedicated team player driving the lorry to events and is actively involved assisting Lindsey and Elizabeth with fitness training of the horses.

Elizabeth Tyas:
The key player of the team and responsible for introducing the team to driving, Elizabeth is a vital cog to the wheel providing dedication, enthusiasm and on going support to the whole team.  Elizabeth stepped down from being a groom to being ‘back up’ person and is always there assisting with all aspects of training, horse fitness, lorry driving, catering, and generally making sure everything is on board for all eventualities. London Flash Jack Jack belongs to Lindsey and has been with the team since 2003. He is a chestnut Welsh section D, 15.3hh. and is an instrumental member of the team.  He has competed both nationally and internationally, representing Great Britain at four World Championships and helping Great Britain to secure both team Silver and Bronze at the 2006 and 2010 Para Equestrian Driving World Championships.  A horse with real character, Jack as well as being driven is also ridden and loves a trip to the beach where he can enjoy a good splash, swim and gallop along the sand.

Gordon Paice:
Gordon is Lindsey’s partner and forms an important part in the support and backup team. A farm manager by trade, Gordon helps with a lot of the manual work and also assists with carriage maintenance.

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