***BREAKING NEWS*** LUDO HAS FULLY RECOVERED FROM HIS INJURY AND WILL NOW BE BACK INTO GENTLE WORK. LOOK OUT FOR MORE NEWS ON HIS PROGRESS!!!
Introduction
: Natasha BAKER
Hi and welcome to my website!!! I am Natasha Baker and am 19 years old and attend Brunel University after taking a year out of 6th form to focus on my riding. I am studying Business Management and have got 3 A Levels in Business, Sociology and English Literature. Horses have always been a huge part of my life; I am very fortunate having grown up on my parents and grandparents’ farm being surrounded by them from a young age. My mum rode competitively to a high level and my dad use.jpg)
d to do motor racing, so there was no doubt I was going to be competitive!!!
My riding career started at my local Riding for the Disabled Association, where I competed in many competitions using their horses. At the age of 12 I was selected onto the World Class Start Squad for Para-Equestrian Dressage. Shortly after this I brought my own horse from Pammy Hutton called Never-the-Less or "Charlie" so that I could progress further. I have been reselected onto the World Class Squad each year and has now progressed onto Potential Level.
In 2007 I was lucky enough to be selected to compete at the World Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships, held at Hartpury College, as a non-medalist. This meant that I was allowed to compete alongside the competitors however I was not eligible for a medal. It was a fantastic experience and I was very successful gaining the third-best percentage in the Grade 2 individual and the fourth-best in the freestyle event.
I am very fortunate to have the support of Team Visa, a sponsorship programme that “helps the best young athletes in Europe as they strive to fulfil their Olympic and Paralympic dreams”. The members of Team Visa are selected and mentored by former Olympic and Paralympic Champions and given the wisdom and motivatio
n they need to train, qualify and win medals at future Olympic and Paralympic Games. You can read more about this on my sponsorship page.
In 2000 I watched the Paralympic and Olympic Games on TV, (the first time that the Paralympic Games were televised). I announced to my parents that I had decided on my career, and I have been focused on this dream ever since. In November 2006, I won all my classes in France, they played the National Anthem and raised the Union Flag, I cannot explain how amazing this was, I felt so proud of myself and my horse. Now I am even more determined to win a gold medal in the Paralympic Games.
What is Para-Equestrian Dressage?
Para-Equestrian Dressage is divided into 4 grades depending on the level of disability, Grade 1 being the most disabled through to Grade 4 the least. I compete at Grade 2. When I was 14 months old I contracted Transverse Myelitis (inflammation of a section across the spine) the nerve damage is permanent and has left me with severe weakness and increased tone in my legs. This has obviously affected my balance. I can walk short distances using a stick and use an electric scooter for longer ones. When I ride I do not have the ability to use my legs to push the horse forward, so we have trained the horses to respond to my voice and seat.