Now just a few days away, athletes from all over the world will travel to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Games. The first Paralympic Games took place in 1960, but it wasn’t until the 1996 Games in Atlanta, that para-equestrian dressage was introduced to the global stage, where the Great British team, won the competition.
Since those pioneering games, the British Paralympic team has frequently included former RDA riders, including the London 2012 Games, where all five members of the team started their equestrian journey with us, and this year’s Games are no different.
RDA was very lucky to speak to this year’s ParalympicsGB equestrian squad, following their selection announcement, about their competitive journey, their beloved horses and their RDA experience.
Mari Durward-Akhurst
Mari Durward-Akhurst (Grade 1) will make her Paralympic debut in Paris with her horse Athene. Mari told us:
“I am really excited and happy, it’s a dream come true to be selected for the Paralympics and I would love to medal.”
She also shared fond memories of Penniwells RDA, which she was a part of until she was aged 16, riding and competing, as well as volunteering. Mari made her competitive debut at the RDA National Championships and returned this year on a speaker panel.
“Horses have changed my life”, she said, talking fondly about ‘Mrs Miggens’, the first pony that started her para-dressage career, and reflecting on how RDA volunteers did all they could to support her competitive dreams.
Natasha Baker
Natasha Baker (Grade 3) and Keystone Dawn Chorus will be competing together for the second time, after their success in Tokyo. Now in her fourth Paralympic Games, Natasha told us about how she can’t wait to be part of the atmosphere again, given the uniqueness of equestrian sport.
Starting at South Buckinghamshire RDA when she was eight years old, Natasha’s first competitive experience was at the RDA National Championships, which ignited her passion for dressage, and was talent spotted.
She reflected on her time at RDA, sharing memories of the ponies and volunteers and how her connection with horses from grooming, tacking up and riding, is so special to her.
Natasha shared her hopes for inspiring a new generation of para equestrians: “This team has such a wealth of experience, and fresh faces, and hopefully this will show that no matter what your background or where you come from – through therapeutic riding, from a horsey or a non-horsey background – if you work really hard anything is achievable.”
Georgia Wilson
Georgia Wilson (Grade 2) will return to the Paralympic Games for the second time with Sakura, after their debut in Tokyo 2020. Georgia shared with us how she’s looking forward to the atmosphere of Paris and being able to watch all the other athletes, as well as spectators.
RDA played a part in her competitive journey when she started at Clywd Special Riding Centre in Wrexham. Georgia explained how one of her very first coaches at RDA motivated and inspired her: “she understood everything that I found difficult, but didn’t give me an excuse to give up. We always found a way, no matter how silly it sounded, it worked and made me want to keep going and try different things.”
“Horses give me exercise and gives me something to get up and do. If I’ve not been riding for a week or so my body is completely different. I can’t thank horses enough for letting me ride them, for how much it helps mentally and physically.”
Sophie Wells
Sophie Wells (Grade 5) will be competing in her fourth Paralympic Games in Paris, partnering the Lady Joseph Trust’s horse, Egebjerggards Samoa (Diana). After her success at the London 2012 Games, Sophie was instrumental in establishing Papplewick RDA with the aim of giving disabled people opportunities to ride, interact, and care for ponies & horses, and supporting para riders in her area rise from grass roots level to international competition. Papplewick RDA is chaired by Angela Weiss, Sophie’s coach since 2004 and Para Dressage Development and Performance coach.
Sophie divides her time between her own training, and coaching para clients of all ages, helping them get the most out of their horses in the sport she is so passionate about.
At RDA we offer a wide range of activities from riding, carriage driving and unmounted activities, with opportunities to progress to a competitive level. Our team of over 13,000 volunteers work tirelessly to help over 20,000 children and adults to achieve their goals, whether that be through therapeutic riding or carriage driving or even to become a Paralympic champion.
We welcome participants with physical and learning disabilities, Autism, ADHD, long-term physical and mental health conditions, Dementia, and there are no age restrictions.
To find out more about the activities we have on offer
