David Botana, age 15, is a Grade 1 para-dressage athletes he was introduced to the sport by Clive Milkins at Carlisle Academy’s COE.  David has severe challenges in his arms, trunk, pelvis and legs due to congenital malformations related to a condition called VACTER.  David can walk, but uses a wheel chair for long distances; and standing causes back pain so David is often sitting down.  Like so many Grade 1 athletes, David has had many surgical procedures and set-backs, and lots of occupational and physical therapy, which have no doubt contributed to his level of grit and zest for life.
David competed 8 times this year in Para Test of Choice classes in New England, and will be competing at two CPEDI’s in Wellington Florida in January 2018 with his trainer, Susanne Hamilton.  David is very grateful to both Susanne Hamilton and Meg Stevens for their lease of Lord Locksley, a magnificent16 year-old Trakehner stallion.

As a child, David attended Camp No Limits each summer with his family. This camp experience helped instill a “no-limits” mindset.  When David is not training, he is a typical sophomore in High School.  David attends Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine. After school, he attends additional classes at University of Southern Maine and Stanford Online High School.  David was recognized by the Stanford Online High School as a Malone Scholar and earned a merit and need based scholarship, and access to the Malone Schools Online Network.
While David is strong in all academic areas, he especially loves writing and science.  David is a first generation Hispanic, of Cuban descent, and plans on finishing his Spanish proficiency with an immersion trip to Spain in the future.   David aspires to attend a highly selective college where he will study biomedical engineering.