AUSTRALIA's first dressage Olympian Margaret McIver was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Ballarat.
Ms McIver, who grew up in Gordon and has lived in the Ballarat region all her life, was presented with the honorary doctorate at a graduation ceremony on Friday.
Dressed in the traditional red and gold gown and hat, Ms McIver said she was "overwhelmed".
"It's a very unreal happening, it's wonderful," she said.
"(It's) something that I'd never imagined," she said.
In the early 1980s the equestrian sport of dressage was in its infancy in Australia and Ms McIver, who was largely self-taught, was selected to travel to Europe in an attempt to qualify for the Olympics. After six months away
from her husband and children training, she qualified for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
She has continued her passion for dressage as a coach, judge and coach educator.
University of Ballarat Vice-Chancellor Professor David Battersby said honorary doctorates recognised contributions to the community on a state and national level.
"Ms McIver's contribution was so significant as a person and in relation to her chosen sport ," he said.
"They're (doctorates) are an incredible honour, and I think recipients feel that."