Charlotte Bathalon and Sportsfield Twist in New York in 2011 by Lindsay Yosay McCall

Charlotte Bathalon (Merle-Smith) and SportsfieldTwist in Florida 2012 by Lindsay Yosay McCall

Charlotte (Merle-Smith) Bathalon

Hometown: South Burlington, Vermont

Grade: Grade II

Charlotte became interested in becoming a Para-Equestrian in 2011. In August 2011 Charlotte entered Vermont Dressage Days where she got her first taste of riding a Para-Equestrian test. Within a few months Charlotte entered her first CPEDI3* event in Saugerties, NY. Charlotte’s debut at an international competition on the 18 year old gelding, Sportsfield Twist, was outstanding. In 2012, Charlotte and her gelding took the trip to Wellington, FL for the 2012 Gold Coast Dressage Association CPEDI3* and then onto the 2012 Wellington Sunshine Dressage Challenge CPEDI3*.  Over two weeks Charlotte and Ben competed earning their qualifying scores for the 2012 USEF Para-Equestrian Selection Trials.

Before riding as a United States Para-Equestiran she was an able-bodied professional equestrian in the eventing world. Charllote was even a Gold Medal NAJYR winner. In 2007, Charlotte suffered severe spinal cord injuries due to an ATV accident. Charlotte is looking forward to competing once again on the international scene.

Charlotte Merle-Smith and Ben prior to her spinal cord injury