Barbara Grassmyer and Mibis

Barbara Grassmyer
-Born: May 7, 1972
-Hometown: Placerville, California

Barbara Grassmyer was born with Aperts Syndrome, a congenital birth defect that results in poor rotation of all joints, syndactylism of hands and feet, head and face anomalies caused by bone fusion in the skull and face, and speech impediments.

Grassmyer was horse crazy from childhood on. Her riding career began in a therapeutic riding center in Sunol, CA where she competed in horse shows for the disabled throughout California and the United States.

Grassmyer was an alternate on the 2000 Paralympic Team in Sydney, Australia. While in Sydney, she was reclassified from a Grade IV to a Grade III. This was a major factor in making her competitive worldwide.

In 2007 Grassmyer was on the Para- Equestrian World Championship Team. Also in 2007, she was the reserve champion at the USEF National Para-Equestrian National Championship.

In 2008, she was third at the USEF Para-Equestrian National Championship and earned a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Team for the Paralympic Games in Hong Kong.

Barbara’s partner is Mibis a Dutch Warmblood mare and have been together since 2004. When in California, she trains with Carolynne Smith of Shingle Springs and competes in USEF recognized horse shows.

In 2008, she and Mibis trained in Pennsylvania with Missy Ransehousen, the Paralympic chef d’equipe, in preparation for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong.

In 2010, Grassymyer competed at the 2010 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championships aboard Mibis.