Grassroots Games 2016: Equestrianism
The Paralympics is under way in Brazil, and the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) is focusing on the sports that you will see, hear or read about over the next two weeks.
With 22 different sporting events on show in Rio 2016, EFDS takes a look at grassroots participation back here in Britain.
Today it’s Equestrianism, with Julie Ashby telling us about rediscovered riding.
Riding conjures images of hacking out in open countryside, showjumping, carriage driving or elegant dressage.
Disabled riders can do any of these things – what may have seemed, to themselves, near-impossible at one time. The health benefits for body, mind and general wellbeing for all ages and impairments cannot be over-emphasised.
You have a very special four-legged partner with a mind of its own.
Communication involving the spoken word is not essential and, as horse and rider take stock of each other, the partnership can begin to develop. And who knows where it will lead?
For many people, learning to ride gives them unexpected freedom and fitness.
It works a great deal of your body in a very unique way. It is the ongoing strength, balance and co-ordination this sport gives to me that no amount of physio could ever replace. Personal pain, challenges and worries simply evaporate.
It is said that horses are a great leveller, and I believe this to be true.
I no longer think of what I cannot do but what I can. The combination of sporting challenge and riding is very potent. Riding has given me focus and commitment, to be the best that I can.
The Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) reconnected me to equestrianism.
Initially it took a very patient horse and several even more patient volunteer helpers to get me into the saddle. Nonetheless, to achieve this left me feeling elated and filled with renewed hope in myself and the future.
