When M’liss Henry OAM founded Claremont Therapeutic Riding Centre (CTRC) in 1972 with just two riders, it was the first horse riding centre for people with disabilities in Western Australia.
Today, CTRC offers confidence-building recreation and therapeutic riding lessons to over 160 riders per week, working with people with a wide variety of abilities and disabilities. It has become a second home for its community of riders, staff and some 60 volunteers.
M’liss has coached nationally and internationally with Riding for the Disabled Association of Australia, Special Olympic and Paralympic riders. In 2008, she was awarded an Order of Australia Medal and inducted into the WA Women’s Hall of Fame in 2019. She was also Equestrian WA Para Coach of the Year in 2021-2022.
After 52 years, M’liss still has the same passion for breaking down societal barriers and supporting riders to strive for their goals, no matter how small.