Fiona Howard

Howard began riding at age three, joining Pony Club at age three.^[2][4] As a child, she competed in reining.^[1] At age 14, Howard represented Great Britain at the 2013 FEI European Reining Championships for Juniors and Young Riders. She returned to the competition in 2016.^[2]

Following time away from the sport due to health issues, Howard resumed riding in college.^[1] She began competing in para dressage in 2021. In 2022 she competed as a Grade II para dressage athlete at the FEI Perrigo CPEDI3* at the Tryon Summer Dressage. In 2023 she and her horse, Jagger, came second in the Grade II event at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival Week 3 CPEDI3*.^[2]

Howard was named to the United States Paralympic equestrian team in July 2024.^[5] At the 2024 Summer Paralympics Howard won gold in the individual championship test grade II,^[6] the individual freestyle test grade II,^[7] and the team event^[8] with mount Diamond Dunes, whom she has worked with since early 2024.^[2][5]

Since 2022 she has trained in Wellington, Florida with fellow para equestrian Kate Shoemaker.^[5][9][3] She also trains in Germany in the spring and summer.^[1]

Howard lives in Boston, Massachusetts. Outside of riding, she works remotely at Boston Children's Hospital as a clinical cardiac research assistant.^[1][9]

She was diagnosed with dystonia at age 19, and uses both crutches and wheelchair. She has a service dog named Elvis.

Fiona also lives in Wellington Florida, where she rides, works as a leader at her local church. She has also started swimming, participating in swim meets across palm beach county. ^[1]