Latest from Horse & Hound in Natasha-baker

Medal-winning rider back in the saddle after second child – on a mechanical horse, as she considers her future in the sport

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:39:52 +0000

Multiple para dressage gold medallist Natasha Baker has been back in the saddle for the first time since she had her second son – on a mechanical horse, as she considers her future in the sport.

Natasha and her husband Marc Jaconelli welcomed their son Oliver last June, a brother to then two-year-old Joshua, less than a year after she won bronze at the Paris Paralympics with Keystone Dawn Chorus (Lottie).

Natasha had not ridden for 16 months, as Lottie was sold to Irish rider Katie Reilly, until she went back to the South Bucks Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) branch, where she started riding aged nine, for a session on “Mickey”.

“Returning to riding has been very different after Oliver’s birth to how it was after my first pregnancy,” said Natasha. “That time I had Lottie waiting at home and the Paris Paralympics on my radar. This time I don’t and I haven’t ridden since November 2024.”

Natasha said a return to her sport will mean finding a new horse, which is always hard, adding: “Also, my mum wants to take more of a back seat now and enjoy being a nan rather than a full-time groom, so management at home will have to look a bit different.

“Riding and competing has been my entire life for 26 years – I don’t know what my life looks like without it. I know coming back will be a challenge, juggling it with two small children, so I need to ask myself the difficult questions and try to work out how and if I can make it work. What I do know is I need to get back on a horse to help me figure it all out.”

Next steps

Natasha said she enjoyed her first session on Mickey, with coach Lizzie Ragg. She plans to ride him this spring, then hopes to move on to real horses while she “decides her next steps”.

RDA chief executive Michael Bishop said: “RDA is very proud of our long connection with Natasha and all the equestrian Paralympians who began their journey with us.

“Across the UK, nearly 450 local RDA groups provide inclusive opportunities for 39,000 disabled people to take part in equine activities that improve health and wellbeing, build skills and confidence, and open pathways to elite sport. Natasha is a shining example of this.

“We are delighted she is returning to South Bucks RDA and getting back in the saddle on Mickey, with the expert support of Lizzie Ragg.”

Natasha is one of insurer Agria’s sponsored riders. Chief executive of Agria UK Vicki Wentworth said: “At Agria we have watched Natasha’s career unfold with such admiration, and how clever she is to explore her future options with the help of the RDA, one of Agria’s treasured charity partners.

“Riding as a young mum always brings challenges, and especially so for a rider with disabilities, but Natasha will continue to be a huge asset to the horse world, whichever path she takes next.”

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‘Our hearts have doubled in size’: baby joy for top British rider and family

Lucy Elder — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 13:18:28 +0000

Multiple Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker and her husband Marc Jaconelli have welcomed their second child.

Oliver Enzo Jaconelli was born on Tuesday (24 June) and is a little brother to two-year-old Joshua.

“Our hearts have doubled in size,” said Natasha. “You’ve completed our family in the most beautiful way. Your big brother can’t wait to show you the ropes.”

Natasha is one of the world’s top para dressage riders and has competed at four Paralympic Games – bringing home medals every time.

She made her senior championship debut at the 2011 Europeans aboard Cabral, winning individual and freestyle gold, which they repeated the following year at the London 2012 Paralympics.

She has won more than 20 medals at Paralympic, world and European championships.

Her most recent achievements in the saddle were at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, where she secured individual and freestyle bronze with Keystone Dawn Chorus, with Joshua there to watch.

Keystone Dawn Chorus was sold to a “wonderful new home” with Irish para rider Katie Reilly last autumn, and Natasha was at Wellington to cheer the pair on in the CPEDI this month.

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‘We feel so blessed and lucky’: British team rider announces second pregnancy

Becky Murray — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:53:55 +0000

Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker and her husband Marc Jaconelli are expecting their second child.

The couple, who welcomed their son Joshua in 2023, are expecting baby number two around late June.

“We are so excited. It was part of the plan, and we feel so blessed and lucky that it happened so quickly,” Natasha told H&H, adding that they are keeping the gender under their hats for the next couple of weeks.

“It’s been a completely different pregnancy for me this time, in a good way. With Joshua I suffered a lot with nausea from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep and nothing would ease it, whereas this time I’ve been a lot more sick, but then afterwards I feel tons better. But that’s on its way out now, and I’m feeling good.”

Natasha Baker won two bronze medals at the Paris Paralympics with Keystone Dawn Chorus (Lottie). In November Lottie was sold to 17-year-old Irish para rider Katie Reilly.

“We came back from Paris and the plan always was that I wanted a second child. We found out about baby number two about two or three weeks before we made the decision to sell Lottie,” said Natasha.

“Mum and I sat down and did the maths; the Europeans this year were obviously going to be out of the question and it was going to be a tighter turnaround than it was for Paris to get ready for the World Championships next year. I managed for Paris but it wasn’t easy, and I’m going to have another child in the mix, so we thought, ‘Is it really going to work out for the best?’

“Lottie is still so much in her prime and I didn’t want her to be wasted waiting around for me on maternity leave. It was the most sensible but heartbreaking decision, but she’s doing so well with Katie. They are the most wonderful family and hopefully she can give Katie some amazing opportunities.”

Natasha added that she misses Lottie “every single day” – but she hopes to be back in the saddle for the LA 2028 Paralympics.

“It’s weird seeing Lottie’s stable empty, and I think Joshua misses her too,” she said.

“LA is the plan. You never know what happens with horses, or babies, but that’s been my plan all along. I’m going to have quite a long time out of the saddle again, but once baby number two has come along I can look to start getting fit again.

“Obviously I don’t have a horse to get back on to so that’s going to add another level of complexity, but I’ve lots of friends and hopefully I can beg, steal, or borrow a horse to jump on and then start horse shopping again. We’ll see what the future has to hold.”

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The Queen hosts celebration to thank Paris Olympic and Paralympic riders

Becky Murray — Thu, 23 Jan 2025 13:24:57 +0000

The achievements of Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic riders in Paris have been celebrated at a ceremony hosted by The Queen.

Yesterday evening (22 January) riders, owners, grooms, support staff, and British Equestrian (BEF) representatives attended a reception at Clarence House, London.

The Queen met the eventing team’s Ros Canter and travelling reserve Yas Ingham, dressage travelling reserve Andrew Gould and para dressage riders Natasha Baker, Mari Durward-Akhurt, Sophie Wells and Georgia Wilson. BEF chief executive Jim Eyre, performance director Helen Nicholls, dressage performance manager Caroline Griffith and para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples were also in attendance.

The Queen spent time talking to owners and grooms, “acknowledging the vital roles they played in the teams’ successes”.

Mr Eyre thanked The Queen for her hospitality, “enduring support for the equestrian community” and continued patronage of the federation.

“He also took the opportunity to thank the athletes for their hard work and determination during their performances at the Games. He paid tribute to the owners, who are the backbone of our sport, and the grooms who dedicate their lives to the wellbeing of their equine charges,” said a BEF spokesperson.

“He ended by recognising the ‘team behind the team’ – the support staff, the performance managers and the practitioners, who all work tirelessly to ensure the athletes and horses can perform to their best on the world stage.”

The Queen was presented with a commemorative book of photographs, which captured “key moments and the team spirit” from Paris.

“I’m so proud to be your patron and what you achieved in Paris made us all feel very proud to be British,” said The Queen.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but I was watching every bit of it on television and it really did bring tears to the eyes. Thank you to the whole team for everything you do.”

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‘Wonderful new home’ for British medal-winning star mare

Lucy Elder — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:46:16 +0000

British Paralympian Natasha Baker’s multiple medal-winning ride Keystone Dawn Chorus has been sold to join young Irish para rider Katie Reilly.

The 13-year-old Dimaggio mare and Natasha have finished on the podium at all three senior championships they have contested, including the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games.

Natasha most recently partnered Keystone Dawn Chorus, known as “Lottie”, to Grade III individual and freestyle bronze in Paris – just four months after Natasha returned to competition following the birth of her son, Joshua, last year.

The pair also helped Britain to Paralympic team gold in Tokyo, where they won individual and freestyle silver medals, and brought home individual silver and freestyle bronze from the 2022 World Championships in Herning.

Natasha shared the news today (15 November) that Lottie has “found a wonderful new home and rider”.

“Lottie and I have had an unbelievable journey together, two Paralympic Games, a World Championships, many medals plus she’s been there through my biggest life experiences and is the best family pony,” said Natasha.

“She has the kindest heart and I am for ever grateful for her giving me absolutely everything in the past five years.

“She is absolutely one in a trillion and I couldn’t be happier to support Lottie in her new partnership that holds so much promise and potential.”

Katie, 17, a Grade III rider who represented Ireland at the 2023 Europeans, said that the past few weeks “have been just incredible”, thanking both Natasha and Lottie’s other connections for trusting her “with your very precious girl”.

“I hope I can make you all proud of us both,” she said. “To have Lottie joining our team is hugely exciting and just a really amazing privilege to not only own but to ride this very precious girl.

“She has already made friends with our retired RDA [Riding for the Disabled Association] boy Pip, who will be her new field friend. And has met the big man Ruddy.

“Now to take our time, build our partnership together and see what the next few years bring us.”

Natasha added that she will start searching for a Paralympic prospect for LA 2028 “when the timing is right”.

“I’m excited for the next chapter and new beginnings for all of us,” she said.

She thanked co-owners Joanna Jensen, her parents and Christian Landolt for supporting her and Lottie “though the most wonderful journey”. Natasha also thanked her trainers, Lisa Hopkins and Claire Gallimore, and Beth Bainbridge, who is the reason Natasha and Lottie found each other.

Beth, Lottie’s previous owner, spotted a Facebook post by Natasha and called her to say she thought she had just the horse. She was right.

“Lottie is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is practically perfect in every way,” Natasha told H&H ahead of Tokyo.

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‘My competitive spirit isn’t going anywhere’: top riders talk motherhood at the 2024 National Dressage Championships

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:40:26 +0000

It’s the question put to every high-performance athlete if she decides to have children: “How do you balance motherhood with your career?”

Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists Laura Tomlinson and Natasha Baker share their experiences with H&C+ and an audience in the BD Fan Zone at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships today (Friday 13 September).

Natasha, who became a parent for the first time to baby Josh in 2023, says for her it was “an end to life as I knew it before, but the start of a very beautiful life”.

“Being a mum is full-on, and they need a lot of you,” she continues. “You have to find a new normal. For me, it’s leaning into the support you’ve got. We’re used to being around a big team to be able to compete at the level we do and it’s the same – you’re just having that extra person as part of your team.”

Laura, mum to four, “tag-teams” parenting with her husband and has a supportive community around her.

“I’ve got people in various areas of my life that are great at stepping in, and my kids love it as well,” she says. “On Sunday, for example, my 10-year-old daughter’s got a one-day event, and our head girl is on duty for that.

“It does take a village, but I think the village is what makes it fun. You go through the highs and lows together. If you’re having a bad time, you pick each other up. And if you’re having a great time, then everyone’s celebrating, and it makes it more special.”

From the National Dressage Championships: “It’s taken time to get my head around it”

First-time pregnancy is uncharted territory for anybody. “As an able-bodied person, you don’t know how pregnancy is going to go,” comments Natasha. “You don’t know how childbirth is going to go. You don’t know how coming back is going to go.

“But throw in a disability just for fun, and I had no idea how my body was going to react to carrying a baby or how I would react to having a C-section. Obviously, I do sitting trot without stirrups all the time. So, you know, they cut through all of the layers of my abs getting Josh out. I wasn’t quite sure whether I would be fit enough and strong enough to come back from that so quickly.”

Natasha said her Paralympic selection for 2024 felt “amazing”.

“I just wanted to go out there, do my best and ultimately make him proud, and hopefully in 17 or 18 years, he can look back and say ‘my mum won two bronze medals when I was 16 months old’!”

Laura says balancing her roles as rider and parent has helped her learn to be kinder to herself.

“When you’ve reached a certain level, coming back quite well doesn’t feel good enough, in a way,” she says. “For me, it’s taken a little bit of time to get my head around that.

“Actually, for a little while, I’ve got to change my change my expectations and be a little bit fair on myself as to what I can achieve.”

Laura adds that this has made her more patient, which, she admits, “isn’t my strong point”.

“Once I’m on a horse, I can forget everything”

Both riders stress the importance of “me time” – and both credit horses as a vital source of it.

Laura maximises her effectiveness in the saddle by staying “super organised”.

“I make a very detailed plan of exactly which kid needs to have what with them on which day,” she adds. “Then I can relax, because I know everything’s covered at home.

“I think I’m very good at compartmentalising and sort of switching in and out of gear mentally. Once I’m on a horse, I can very much forget everything. And for that 45 minutes, I can just go into a flow state quite easily.”

Organisation is something Natasha she admits she has had to learn since becoming a parent.

“Laura hit the nail in the head with organisation and planning,” she says. “Leaving for Paris just it was chaos. I think it took me probably about a week to get everything organised. I’m not just packing for me and Lottie [Natasha’s paralympic ride)] any more.

“I wasn’t a very organised person before having Joshua, but you have to learn to be organised. I think that’s probably been the hardest thing.”

“Things have to change, but it doesn’t have to be negative”

Laura says staying at the top is “very much the goal”, “but for example, coming into the championships here, I literally got back from a two-week holiday 10 days ago. That was the only time my husband and I could both go on holiday with the kids.

“It wasn’t ideal preparation. I haven’t had a chance to do a little warm-up show, which was very telling yesterday in my prix st georges!”

Laura has compromises to make, but always keeps the positives in her sights. “Things do have to change, but that doesn’t have to be negative. Like, if you have not such a good day at the office, you go back to your house, and it’s much easier to forget and not dwell on that.”

While Natasha is keen to expand her brood, she still aims to be at the LA Games in 2028 in one capacity or another.

“I’ve still got that drive,” she says. “I’ve still got that competitive spirit, so that’s not going anywhere. I think we’re just going to have to see what life throws at me.

“Either riding or presenting – I will be in LA!”

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‘I want another baby!’: Natasha Baker crowns her comeback with another Paris 2024 medal

Oscar Williams — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 16:52:56 +0000

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”) brought the curtain down on what has been a redemptive, and cathartic day for British para dressage, winning bronze in the grade III freestyle at the Paris Paralympics.

Natasha scored 77.14% to collect the 10th medal of her Paralympic career. That brings Britain’s final medal haul from the Games to seven – six bronzes, and one silver.

She entered the arena to a raucous atmosphere. Despite the big screens asking for silence after each test, everyone was on their feet, applauding, stomping and cheering for French rider Chiara Zenati, who rode just before Natasha. It was phenomenal to watch, and the competition was all the better for it – it was a fantastic advertisement for para dressage.

“I loved every second of it,” said Natasha after her test. “The crowd were epic, I was hoping that might lift her a bit, I was like ‘Come on Lottie, this is your moment, soak it all up!’

“The freestyle is the thing I’ve been most looking forward to all week and she was amazing, I’m so grateful for all the opportunities she’s given me over the years.

“I think maybe her way of going was a bit better yesterday. We got 80% in the build up to Paris and I was hoping for something closer to that today, but she felt a little tired.

“I could have maybe done with a bit more pizzazz – but it’s always a fine line because you don’t want so much that they bubble over.”

At this point in the interview Natasha wasn’t sure if she’d win a medal. It all came down to what Italy’s Francesca Salvade scored. Francesca’s test was going on while Natasha did the media rounds. There were big screens in the mixed zone but they were slightly behind the action in the arena, so there was a nervous wait.

Then a call came from the arena – “she’s behind you!” – and Natasha broke into tears.

“I’m just so happy,” she said, looking at her son Joshua who was sitting in her lap as she spoke. “I never expected it in a million years, this is for you little man.

“I just want him to look back on his mummy in 18 years time and just think ‘Wow, my mum is pretty darn cool!’

“I want to be able to show him that I had a dream when I was little, and I went out there and grabbed it, so this is for him. He’s worth more than all of my medals put together.

“Before him my whole life revolved around riding and that was all I ever focussed on – I just wanted to go out and win medals.

“But after having him, it puts everything into perspective. He’s the most important thing in my life now, he’s my proudest achievement and I’ve done this to make him proud.”

So much has gone into this comeback for Natasha, who only returned to competition after having Joshua a few months ago.

“It’s one thing for able-bodied athletes to go and have babies and come back, but as a para athlete you never now how pregnancy is going to treat you.

“But I’ve always had Paris in the forefront of my mind, I always wanted to come here. I knew it was going to be a mission, probably a naive mission, to get here but I’ve managed it and picked up two medals along the way.

“Now, I want another baby and then we’ll see what happens. I think this might be Lottie’s last Paralympics, she’s 13-years-old so she could make LA, but we’ll see how it goes.

“If it happens again I’ll be really, really blessed, but right now I honestly don’t know – I just want to expand the crop!”

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Paris Paralympics freestyle times released: final shot at medals for Brits and other riders

Oscar Williams — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 20:35:13 +0000

The Paris Paralympics dressage times for Saturday’s (7 September) freestyle have now been released. The top eight from each grade in Tuesday (3 September) and Wednesday’s (4 September) individual tests qualified, meaning all the British combinations will have one more shot at a medal.

Following the disappointment of missing out on team medals, all the British riders were excited at the prospect of leaving Paris on a high note.

“The freestyle is my best test,” said Natasha Baker. “I get to ride to my amazing music and a floor plan I’ve choreographed to show her off at her best – I can’t wait.

“It’s going to be a Cher and Shania Twain mix. I’m going to get the party started in Versailles. It’s loud, it’s bold, it’s sassy, and it also tells a bit of a story about my comeback

“It’s been put together beautifully by Nicole Pendzich and she’s done an amazing job. All my freestyles in the past have been very much about the horse but this is very much about me.”

The grade IV riders will be the first to go tomorrow, with Belgium’s Manon Claeys (Katharina Sollenburg) getting things underway at 9.30am local time (8.30am British time).

If you would like to watch your favourite riders compete in the dressage at the Paris Paralympic Games, find out how you can follow on TV from anywhere in the world with our comprehensive guide.

When will the British riders go?

Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa at 11.42am local time (10.42am British time) in grade V
Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg at 12.57pm local time (11.57am British time) in grade I
Georgia Wilson and Sakura at 2.42pm local time (1.42pm British time) in grade II
Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus at 4.09pm local time (3.09pm British time) in grade III

Who else should you look out for?

France’s Vladimir Vinchon and Pegase Mayenne at 10.24 am local time (9.24am British time)
The Netherlands’ Demi Haerkens and Daula at 10.33am local time (9.33am British time)
Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King Of The Dance at 1.33pm local time (12.33pm British time) in grade I
Australia’s Bridget Murphy and Penmain Promise at 2.06pm local time (1.06pm British time) in grade II
The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes at 3pm local time (2pm British time) in grade II

Paralympics dressage freestyle times – complete list of tests

The full times are listed below.

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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‘We should all be incredibly proud’: British disappointment as USA set new record at Paris 2024

Oscar Williams — Fri, 06 Sep 2024 16:50:15 +0000

Britain has missed out on a Paralympic dressage team medal for the first time in the sport’s history, finishing in sixth on a team score of 219.562.

After winning their first-ever team medal in Tokyo, the USA put in a series of sensational performances to win gold with a record-breaking score of 235.567. Despite improving on their Tokyo team score, the Dutch team had to settle for silver on 223.751 while Germany took bronze on 223.751.

The well-backed Dutch team got off to a flying start in the grade IV. First, team veteran Sanne Voets and the decorated Demantur managed to improve on their score from the individual test to earn 76.57%. Then Demi Haerkens and Duala added to the team total, with a score of 78.22%.

Roxanne Trunnell was first to go for the USA in the grade I, achieving 77%. However, the real difference makers were Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes in grade II, who scored a massive personal best of 80% – the highest score of the competition so far.

“From the first halt to the last halt it was all highlights,” Fiona said. “What a feeling when you can just trust your horse, and he just kept giving and giving. At the end my muscles were getting really tired, and I said ‘Keep going buddy’, and he was like ‘I got you’ – he’s incredible.”

Rebecca Hart and Floratina score a personal best to ensure a first-ever team gold medal for the USA at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq were next up for the Dutch and scored another massive score of 78.07% in the grade III. Last-to-go for the USA, Rebecca Hart and Floratina, entered the arena immediately after Rixt and had to score a personal best of plus 76% to win gold.

A tall order, but as soon as the combination got under way, it was never in doubt – their test was close to faultless, scoring 78.57%

“This one I dug deep for,” beamed Rebecca. “It’s always a bit intense being the closer for the team and knowing what your score needs to be in a pressure cooker situation.

“I was doing the math, and I managed to peak a look at the board for Rixt’s score and thought, ‘OK, lets go, game on!’

“I’m so proud of these girls and everyone behind the scenes, it wouldn’t have happened without each and everyone of us putting our best foot forward – it’s like a fairytale. This win will give us such a huge boost, so many times para sport isn’t highlighted as much as able-bodied sport.

“What I’m really, really hoping that this success and these medals bring for para is the recognition and the equality of the multiple disciplines within our federations, and realising we are valuable and we can deliver when we need to.”

No medals for Britain, but optimism for the future

Sophie Wells and the inexperienced LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (“Diana”) were first to go for the British team. Sophie thinks this mare will be “the best horse in the world at some point”, and they had moments of real quality in their test, with the shoulder-ins a particular highlight.

However, a break in the first extended trot and an expensive mistake in the first simple change after the half-pass to the centre line kept their score at 70.89%.

“I’m kicking myself if I’m absolutely frank,” said Sophie, who looked devastated but had to put on a brave face when she was waylaid on her way to the mixed zone after her test by Prince Edward, who’s a patron of the British Paralympic Association.

“She felt so good going in but I relaxed for a second in the extended trot, and then for the simple change, I just didn’t feel it coming. She surged out into the half-pass and I was like ‘Just be patient, get her back’.

“I got it back in the walk but then I clearly got my timing wrong, and you know she might be eight but I can still ride a simple change, and it’s a double coefficient which was really, really rubbish.

“I know I’ve got to keep her confidence, so once I tried to strike back off and didn’t get it, I just decided to stop asking.

“But it feels like time goes so quick in there, you take a breath for a second and it feels like 20 seconds – it’s hard having a mistake like that in front of everyone.

“We got it back, so I’m positive for tomorrow, but I feel like I haven’t quite done my part for the team and I feel bad for the guys coming after me because they’ve got a lot of work to do.

“The sport has come on so much it’s amazing. Other teams have overtaken us and that’s what sport should be, it shouldn’t be predictable. We’ve got to go home now, work hard and come back fighting.”

Georgia Wilson and Sakura during the grade II team test at the Paris Paralympics. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Georgia Wilson and Sakura (“Suki”), who were competing in their first team event at the Paralympics were the next British combination to go and scored 73.3%.

“I was pleased with Suki,” Georgia said. “She tripped over a few times at the start but we got there in the end, and produced some nice work. I was probably pushing a bit too much in the beginning, and I was a bit nervous so she probably picked that up.”

At that point, Britain were sitting behind Germany, France, Belgium and Italy, among the other teams who had one rider left to go.

Next to go for the Germans, Heidemarie Dresing – who, at 69, was the oldest competitor in the field – and Dooloop put in a solid test to score 72.9%.

That meant Natasha Baker, who was first to go in the grade III on Dawn Chorus, knew that to overhaul the German score and guarantee a medal for the team she needed an odds-defying 79.56%.

In the end, despite a free-flowing test and a personal best score since her return to competition six months ago, her 75.37% wasn’t enough to catch the Germans, but it was enough to close the margin on the teams ahead.

France and Italy’s grade III riders did enough to retake the lead over Britain, but that didn’t dampen Natasha’s spirits.

A delighted and proud Natasha Baker with Dawn Chorus after her grade III team test. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

“I was thrilled with her, she just went in there and grew in confidence,” explained Natasha. “Her balance was much better and she stayed really relaxed – I just can’t wait for tomorrow now, I’m so excited.

“My aim coming here was to build each day, I wanted to give her a safe clear round in the first day and build on it as the days go on, and I feel I’ve done that today. I think tomorrow I can go in there and go for it.

“I’m so proud of my performance, but I’m also so proud of Sophie and Georgia. They both rode beautifully, and all you can do is come to a Games and ride your best and that’s exactly what the girls have done.

“Sophie rode an absolute masterclass this morning and gave Diana an amazing experience. We’ve also got to remember that’s her reserve horse, and it’s her first big Games in that type of atmosphere.

“I’m also on my comeback, Sophie’s on a new horse, Georgia’s the experienced one of us out here and she was an individual in Tokyo, so I think we should all be incredibly proud of ourselves.

“We knew we might not bring home a medal in the team, but it’s fine, we’ll live to tell another tale tomorrow and hopefully we can come back with some more medals.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Line-up announced for team competition at Paris Paralympics: who’s made the cut?

Oscar Williams — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 11:55:28 +0000

ParalympicsGB and the British Dressage para selectors have announced the three combinations set to represent Great Britain in tomorrow’s (6 September) team competition at the Paris Paralympics.

Leading the charge for ParalympicsGB are seasoned Paralympians Natasha Baker (Dawn Chorus) and Sophie Wells (LJT Egebjerggards Samoa), who are both making their fourth consecutive Games appearance.

They will be joined by Georgia Wilson (Sakura), who, after making her Paralympic debut as an individual in Tokyo, will be competing in her first team event at the Paralympics.

That means world number ones Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg miss out – they have, however, qualified for Saturday’s (7 September) freestyle, so we will see them in action again.

All three selected combinations won bronze medals in the individual competitions; Georgia was the highest scorer on 73.41%, then Natasha on 73.17%, with Sophie scoring 72.26%.

According to the data, Britain is likely to be competing with Germany and Belgium for the bronze medal, with the USA and the Netherlands going for gold. But with no drop scores, and riding to a new test (grand prix B) anything is possible.

Sophie will be the first British rider to go, entering the arena at 12.13pm local time (11.13am British time). Georgia will ride next at 2.50pm local time (1.50pm British time), with Natasha last-to-go for the Brits at 4.03pm local time (3.03pm British time).

The competition starts at 9.30am local time (8.30am British time) with the grade IV riders first to go.

To watch your favourite riders compete in the dressage team competition at the Paris Paralympic Games, find out how you can follow on TV from anywhere in the world with our comprehensive guide.

Meet the British Paralympic dressage team:

Grade II

Georgia Wilson with 10-year-old Sakura

Owners: rider, and her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson

Breeder: G Eilberg

Breeding: by Supertramp, out of a mare by Rockstar

Grade III

Natasha Baker with 13-year-old Dawn Chorus

Owners: Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and Natasha’s parents Phil and Lorraine Baker

Breeder: S Lavendera

Breeding: by Dimaggio, out of a mare by Escudo

Grade V

Sophie Wells with eight-year-old LJT Egebjerggards Samoa

Owner: The Lady Joseph Trust

Breeder: Anders Green Hansen

Breeding: by St Schufo, out of a mare by Gribaldi

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus mark emotional championship comeback with Paralympic medal

Oscar Williams — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 11:10:48 +0000

Natasha Baker and Dawn Chorus – or Lottie – produced a composed, harmonious performance in difficult conditions to score 73.17% and win bronze in the individual grade III medal event on the first day of equestrian action at the Paris Paralympics.

“I was thrilled, she was such a superstar,” Natasha said. “I just wanted a relaxed test and that’s what we delivered. We didn’t have quite as much pizzazz as I would like in ideal circumstances, but I didn’t get any tension either and that’s exactly what I wanted.

“It’s quite a big atmosphere and she’s never been into anything like that before but she stayed with me the entire way – so I’m delighted.

“That was the first time I’ve trotted in the main arena, each time I went in there for arena familiarisation I kept it super chilled, just walking on a long rein, because I wanted her to go in there and be able to relax in that environment and I think that’s what we managed today. Hopefully now we can build on that as the week goes on.”

Natasha was third into the arena, and the conditions here in Versailles couldn’t be further removed from the relentless heat which accompanied the dressage at the Olympics. Rain beat down on the combination as they waited to enter the arena and there was a distinct chill in the air.

At the combination’s last competition before coming to Paris at Hartpury CPEDI3* in July, similar conditions caused Natasha’s legs to spasm which caused her considerable pain during her test. Fortunately, she made it through unscathed this time.

“The rain is my worst nightmare,” she explained. “My disability has got worse with colder weather so it’s not ideal, but we stayed under the covered arena for as long as possible to keep dry and then thankfully it eased off a little during my test.”

Natasha had a long wait to see where she’d finished, but didn’t seem overly concerned.

“I don’t really care if we get an individual medal,” she said, immediately after her test, before she knew the final result. “If you’d told me I would’ve been selected for the Paris Games over Christmas I would have absolutely laughed in your face.”

That’s because Natasha has only recently returned to competition after spending 20 months out of the saddle following the birth of her first child, Joshua.

“That’s the longest I’ve ever not ridden, so to be able to come back is such a testament to my amazing team. I just feel so fortunate and so grateful that I’ve been given this opportunity and been able to show the world how amazing Lottie is, so who cares what the results are?

“My priorities have changed – at the moment I’m just trying to juggle being the best athlete I can with being the best mum I can,” she added, tears and emotion choking her voice for a moment.

“I could see Joshua from the stands, I didn’t see him this morning because I was up at some ungodly hour, so I blew him a kiss to him at the end of our test.”

Paralympics dressage individual grade III medals

The USA’s Rebecca Hart took grade III gold, on a personal best score of 77.9% riding Floratina – her first-ever gold championship medal, and her first individual Paralympic medal of any colour.

“It’s been 25 years of trying to get to this point and being close many, many times, so to actually get it is a dream,” Rebecca said. “I feel like I’m going to wake up at any moment.

“But we’re just the figureheads out there, it’s the hundreds of people behind the scene, in the barns, working long hours, that get us out there able to put our best foot forward. So this is as much their victory as mine, I can’t wait to share it with all of them, and we’re hoping for more, I can’t wait to cheer on my teammates over the next few days.”

The Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq took silver, also on a personal best score of 76.43%.

Georgia Wilson and Sakura are the next Brits to go, entering the arena at 12.48pm local time (11.48am British time) in the grade II.

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg will follow at 4.35pm local time (3.35pm British time) in the grade I.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Keystone Dawn Chorus – Natasha Baker’s ‘practically perfect’ Paralympic medal-winning mare

Oscar Williams — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 17:15:18 +0000

Keystone Dawn Chorus (Dimaggio x Escudo 19), or “Lottie” as she is known at home, is the team Paralympic gold medal-winning ride of Natasha Baker, who is herself one of Britain’s most decorated equestrian athletes.

“Lottie is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is practically perfect in every way,” Natasha told Horse & Hound ahead of the Tokyo Games.

“She has such a kind, generous personality – she loves to work and is willing. She will go into any arena or atmosphere and she wants to perform and work with me.”

As the pair prepares to ride down the centre line in Paris, we look back at their career together so far.

The beginnings of a partnership

In February 2017, Natasha’s two-time Paralympic and multiple gold medal-winning ride Cabral – who was better known as “JP” – was sadly put down after developing a bacterial infection.

The pair had been at the forefront of British para-dressage success since winning two European gold medals in 2011. Natasha described him as her “horse of a lifetime” and still wears a ring made from his hair in remembrance.

With the up-and-coming youngster she had at the time, Fireball, proving not quite forward-thinking enough for her to take to the top, Natasha didn’t have a ride for that year and decided to take the rest of the year out of competing.

In the build-up to World Equestrian Games in 2018 she leased the then nine-year-old Mount St John Diva Dannebrog after an extensive search.

The pair went on to win two silver medals, but following the championships Natasha was once again left looking for a new ride.

In early 2019, she went to try Keystone Dawn Chorus who was at that time beginning her competition career in able-bodied dressage with Beth Bainbridge.

“The first time I sat on her I got butterflies,” Natasha said. “She had the best temperament in the world and the movement to go with it.

“I don’t have the use of my legs when I ride, but Lottie is a forward-thinking horse and she adapted to my riding quickly.

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, pictured during arena familiarisation at the World Para Dressage Championships. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

“It was helpful that in the weeks before I first went to see her, Beth tried to use her voice as much as she could while riding her, and her legs as little as possible which helped make it an easy transition for Lottie.”

The pair made their debut together in May that year, competing at first in able-bodied dressage at novice, going on to place second at the national championships.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d be coming here,” Natasha told H&H at the time. “I didn’t have the best regionals – that was the worst test I’ve ever ridden – so to come here and put that right was a good feeling.

“There is a lot of pressure on me in para dressage, which is why we initially went down the able-bodied route. It was fun and Lottie loves to go into a long arena and to canter, which we don’t do in grade III.

“I have also been able to take her hacking, and I balled my eyes out the first time we cantered through a field because I have never had a horse I’ve trusted as much as her. I feel as though anything is possible with Lottie because we trust each other.”

The pair made their para debut a month later at Keysoe CPEDI3*, claiming a trio of victories and scoring 76.47% for their freestyle.

“We went into this show feeling quite under-prepared – we only learnt rein-back last week!” Natasha said.

“I always feel the pressure at internationals, but when the pressure is on, Lottie rises to it. This gives us a good benchmark of where we are ahead of our Tokyo campaign next year.”

Of course, everyone’s Tokyo plans were thrown up in the air due to the Covid pandemic. But in the end that might have worked out quite well for Natasha, because it meant that by the time Tokyo came around, she and Keystone Dawn Chorus were seasoned campaigners.

Rising to the big occasion

The pair kicked off the rescheduled Tokyo Games by taking the grade III individual silver on 76.27%.

“I think if we were here 12 months ago, I don’t think I would have got 76%,” Natasha said.

“It’s our first competition together like this and fighting for the gold medal was never a thing coming here – it was just if I win a medal, then awesome. I just want to give her a really positive experience.”

But despite the odds being stacked against them, the combination went on to score 76.62% in the team test to help the British team to gold, and their seventh consecutive Paralympic title.

“We were hoping to come and maybe challenge for Bronze,” reflected Natasha, who added that Keystone Dawn Chorus grew in confidence from their individual test, with a stutter in the walk pirouette being the only blip in their sparkling performance.

Natasha Baker with Keystone Dawn Chorus at the Tokyo Paralympics. (Image credit: Liz Gregg)

“It’s an impossible movement for someone with no use of their legs!” laughed Natasha.

“She just tries to take over and go so small, like she’s saying, ‘I’ve got this, Mum,’ even though I have my leg on and my whip tapping her.

“I got a cracking pirouette in the warm-up, but unfortunately they didn’t count. But I could really push more – the leg yields were really nice, she was really balanced, up and powerful. And there was more relaxation in the walk. I can’t ask for more.”

The pair rounded off their Games in a poignant fashion, winning silver in the freestyle, riding to the same Avatar music Natasha rode the late Cabral to in Rio.

“Lottie has just exceeded every single expectation,” said a clearly emotional Natasha following her third medal ceremony.

“If you’d said to me that I was going to win two individual silvers and a team gold, I would have told you that you were lying, I just never imagined that any of this would be possible.

“I just couldn’t be more proud of everything that she’s achieved and everything that she’s done for me.”

The next chapter

In 2022, the pair won individual silver and freestyle bronze at the World Championships, despite Natasha having a disrupted run-up after weeks of illness.

The freestyle was in fact a massive milestone for Natasha, for whom World Championship freestyles have never been particularly kind; in 2014 she struggled to get into the arena with Cabral, and in 2018 she had a dramatic fall from Mount St John Diva Dannebrog.

“I’m pleased I went in today – I had serious flashbacks of 2018 when I got decked,” Natasha explained. “I was so close to saying ‘I can’t do this.’ But I’m just so proud of her – she looked after me.”

After the worlds, Natasha took a 20-month break from competition following the birth of her first child.

During Natasha’s break, her coach Lisa Hopkins took up the reins and placed third in the elementary at the 2023 Winter Championships and fourth at the National Championships.

Natasha made her return in May 2024, winning all the grade III classes at Hickstead CPEDI3*. More wins followed at Wellington and Hartpury internationals and despite only actively competing together again for two months, the pair were picked for Paris.

“It’s so lovely having a different perspective now because my son is the most important thing in my life, whereas riding had been the most important thing for so long,” said Natasha following her wins at Hartpury.

“I love what I do and it’s so nice to come in and not feel so much pressure. I’m honoured, grateful and proud to be heading to my fourth Paralympic Games, it’s been an incredible journey since Tokyo and heading into Paris, now as a mum, makes it even more special.

“I can’t wait to show Lottie off to the world and show that elite athletes can also be mums.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Paralympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Free tickets to The National Equine Show for H&H readers – meet Charlotte Dujardin and other top names, plus shopping galore

Gemma Redrup — Tue, 13 Feb 2024 13:00:10 +0000

The National Equine Show takes place for the second time on 2-3 March 2024 at the NEC, Birmingham, with the doors open from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. The National Equine Show is a shopping extravaganza, which also has stages featuring guest speakers and special guests including Olympic gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin and equestrian influencer Esme Higgs (This Esme).

Tickets cost from £12 for one day, or £20 for the weekend, with VIP options available for £60. Horse & Hound has 250 free weekend passes to give away, so to grabs yours while you can by entering the code HORSE&HOUND at checkout – click here to register your free pass now, while stocks last. Or if you miss out of these freebies, you can buy tickets here.

As well as having more than 135 tradestands, enabling visitors to shop under cover, the show has guest speakers and panel discussions taking place throughout the event – think Horse of the Year Show minus the competition element. If you’re after bumper equestrian shopping and want to see some of your heroes off their horses, then this is the show for you.

When it comes to guest speakers, the show has 26 lined up, including some particularly great ones in addition to Charlotte – such as five-star event rider and burgeoning showjumper Gemma Stevens, Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker, and popular showjumper Geoff Billington.

As for shopping, brands to enjoy browsing and buying from include Bliss of London, Bloomfields Horseboxes, Charles Owen, Equidry, Flying Changes and Joshua Jones to name just a few. To find out more about the brands exhibiting, and all the guest speakers, visit the The National Equine Show’s website.

There are two halls – the main hall and market hall. In the main hall you will find those 135 tradestands showcasing the latest season’s kit, plus fitting rooms and personal shopper experiences available. The smaller market hall area includes high-end, discounted products from the previous season.

Visitors will also find interactive experiences on site, including the EqueSoul Fitness Rider Wellness Zone ft. Ice Bath Co, The PolyJumps Eventer Experience and SJB Performance Training Dressage Simulator.

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(Image credit: Stefan Lafrentz)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Recognise that voice? Find out who’s commentating on the European Dressage Championships live stream

Polly Bryan — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 13:12:56 +0000

Whether you’re glued to the European Dressage Championships action already, or excited to tune in later this week, you might well be wondering who the European Dressage Championships commentators are on the live stream.

Full coverage of the championships, held in Riesenbeck, Germany from 5-10 September, is available with English commentary is available on ClipMyHorse.TV, and if you’re struggling to place the voices accompanying the action, we have the answers.

The commentators for the European Dressage Championships are the well-known and highly experienced equestrian commentator John Kyle alongside Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker – who also has her four-month-old son Joshua joining her in Riesenbeck.

Over at the para dressage arena, it’s world and European medallist Erin Orford offering up her expert insight as Europe’s best para dressage riders take to the stage.

The European Para Dressage Championships get underway today (Tuesday, 5 September), with individual medals set to be awarded in grades I, II and III. The individual competition continues in Riesenbeck tomorrow with the grades IV and V, with the team competition taking place on Thursday and Friday, and the freestyle for all grades happening on Saturday.

The European Dressage Championships will kick off on Wednesday, 6 September, with the grand prix, which runs across two days and determines the team medals. This will be followed by the grand prix special for the first set of individual dressage medals on Friday, and the freestyle, for the second set of individual medals, on Sunday.

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the European dressage action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

‘I’m bursting to get back riding’: Natasha Baker on life as a new mum and Paris plans

Polly Bryan — Sat, 17 Jun 2023 17:32:41 +0000

It’s always a magical moment when a rider introduces their horse to a new baby and for Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker, it was no different.

Natasha and her husband Marc Jaconelli welcomed their first son, Joshua Fio, on 25 April, and Natasha told H&H that taking him to meet her Tokyo gold medal-winning mare Keystone Dawn Chorus, aka Lottie, was a “gorgeous” moment.

“She is the gentlest horse in the world, so I had no doubts she’d be a good girl, and she absolutely adored Joshua, and nuzzled his little feet. It was so gorgeous,” said Natasha, who says she is “absolutely loving” life as a new mother.

“I’m loving every second, even the nights that aren’t so good. His little smile makes everything work it, and he’s been a dream really. Time is flying so Marc and I are trying to soak up every minute and just enjoy it.”

Natasha Baker introducing baby Joshua to Keystone Dawn Chorus, aka Lottie (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Natasha Baker: ‘Baby Joshua was with me in Herning’

The grade III para dressage rider found out she was pregnant shortly after winning individual silver and bronze at the World Para Dressage Championships in Herning last August.

“I was very emotional in Herning, so being pregnant was probably having an impact,” she says. “Joshua would have been very tiny then but it’s lovely he was with me.

“I found out I was pregnant at five weeks, and I carried on riding until I was about 10-12 weeks, but I was so nauseous I couldn’t handle trotting, and because I ride without stirrups I was also worried about falling off, so I stopped riding as I didn’t want to risk it. This has been the longest I’ve not ridden for since I was about eight years old – I’m going to ache when I get back on.”

Natasha is hoping to be back in the saddle by the end of June, and in the meantime, is spending time with Lottie most days, with her trainer Lisa Hopkins continuing to keep the Dimaggio mare fit.

Lisa and Lottie have been out competing during Natasha’s pregnancy, qualifying for the Winter Dressage Championships where they finished third in the elementary gold. But Natasha’s sights are firmly set on the Paris Paralympics in 2024.

“I’ve given myself until October or November to get back to where I was before, and then I can come out in January and hit the ground running ready for Paris.

“I’m absolutely bursting to get back riding now, but my physio just wants me to do some more exercises beforehand. When I do, I’m going to just walk for a week and see how I feel. I’m keeping the plan as fluid as possible.

“I’ve been watching as many competitions as possible over livestream while I’ve been off, and following the results. It’s good to see what’s been going on from a competitor’s point of view, but also as a commentator.”

And it hasn’t taken long for Natasha to introduce baby Joshua to the dressage world in person.

“He’s been to Royal Windsor and Wellington. It’s been nice to get out and be back in my world as I have really missed it. But I’ve had Joshua to enjoy.”

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘We’ve been keeping a secret’: multiple medal-winning rider announces first pregnancy

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Charlotte Dujardin on how motherhood has changed her outlook as a competitor – ‘it’s really opened my eyes’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Natasha Baker: ‘Para classification is unfair – all athletes should be reclassified’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Badminton’s official champagne, plus more sponsorship news

Lucy Elder — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 19:21:42 +0000

Badminton celebrates sparkling new deal

Pol Roger has been confirmed as the official champagne of Badminton Horse Trials (4 to 8 May), presented by Mars Equestrian.

Pol Roger is also the official champagne for the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, and sponsors five-star rider Harry Meade. Its history of supporting equestrian spurt includes sponsorship of Blenheim, the Festival of British Eventing and Blair Castle.

James Simpson, managing director of Pol Roger Portfolio, said: “Champagne Pol Roger and Badminton Horse Trials share a number of core values, not least their reputation for quality and commitment to showcasing the best of sporting talent.

“We are immensely proud to be sponsoring this historic event for the first time in our near 175-year history and look forward to doing so in years to come.”

Badminton has also appointed Freemans Event Partners as its food and drink partner for public catering.

Badminton final scores

“The Freemans Event Partners team has proved time and time again that they can create bespoke food and beverage offerings which perfectly fit an event and its audience. This was a crucial factor for us when selecting a partner for Badminton Horse Trials as we have a very specific demographic,” said event director Jane Tuckwell.

Freemans Event Partners chief executive Stephen Freeman added: “Here at Freemans Event Partners, we’re proud to partner with the UK and Europe’s most iconic events and venues, and thrive on delivering outstanding customer experiences that are bespoke to each event. We’re incredibly thrilled to be starting on this journey with Badminton Horse Trials.

“Not only is it one of the leading events of its kind anywhere in the world, with thousands of attendees and the highest level of competition, but it’s right here in our home country of Gloucestershire in the glorious grounds of Badminton Park.”

Irish teenager partners with communications firm

Irish showjumper Niamh McEvoy has received support from telecommunications and IT services provider Atlas Communications through the purchase of a new Glenpatrick horse box.

“I am so grateful to Atlas Communications for their support and for purchasing this amazing horse box for me,” said the 18-year-old. “It will make such a difference to my training and competition schedule, and I can’t wait to get out on the road with it.”

Agria signs deal with Natasha Baker

Specialist pet insurance firm Agria has signed a sponsorship deal with multiple medal-winning para dressage rider Natasha Baker.

“Agria lifetime equine is all about supporting horses and riders whether they are fulfilling the ambitions of a lifetime or simply providing fun and relaxation each week – two sides of equestrian life Natasha completely understands as an international rider, based from her family’s yard,” said Agria managing director, Vicki Wentworth.

KEP Italia signs official safety partner deal

Riding helmet manufacturer KEP Italia is the new official “partner for safety” with the European Equestrian Federation’s Longines EEF Nations Cup showjumping series.

EEF president Theo Ploegmakers said the federation is excited to have KEP Italia as a partner.

“This shows the importance and strength of the Longines EEF series, not only as an international competition but as a key development pillar for the future of the sport,” he said. “It is a pleasure to work with a brand that fully aligns with and understands our mission, and together we can build a strong future”.

Lelia Polini, KEP Italia chief executive, added: “We are very proud to be partners in this new project with the aim of supporting today’s professional riders, and the new generations of future champions with our helmets, capable of interpreting everyone’s personality and style while guaranteeing the highest safety standards.

“‘Safety first’ has always been our priority; design and comfort complete the key elements that are indispensable for us.”

Golden Paste Company supports The Pony Club

Equine supplement firm Golden Paste Company is supporting the Pony Club Quiz, which returns in person this year.

Area qualifiers take place in March, with the final on 22 April at Moulton College in Northampton.

“Our two organisations have many shared values including the desire to educate, support and develop horse knowledge among young people and the quiz tests the understanding of members in a fun and supportive way,” said Branca Gebbie, Golden Paste Company business and trade manager.

“The core of our equine range of products is all about educating horse owners about the benefits of natural supplements with turmeric being the key ingredient.

“We are dedicated to bringing equine health and wellbeing to the forefront of young horse owners’ minds and look forward to seeing this year’s quiz teams progress.”

The Centre Line teams up with Bret Willson

Equestrian equipment specialists The Centre Line has signed a brand partnership deal with dressage horse breeders and producers Bret Wilson International.

“The relationship was formed after Bret and his fiancé, Rosie Moreton-Deakin had been championing the premium products The Centre Line distributes,” said a spokesman for The Centre Line.

The deal includes Dominick rugs, Scharf girths, HiForm supplements and Lotus Romeo competition jackets for the team. Rosie will also feature in the 2023 Lotus Romeo campaign alongside Carl Hester.

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(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘You take your life in your hands’: medal-winning rider calls for change to make roads safer for horses

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 16:38:36 +0000

Multiple medal-winning para dressage rider Natasha Baker is backing calls for more awareness of changes to the Highway Code – as it emerged 68 horses were killed on Britain’s roads last year.

The British Horse Society (BHS) released its 2022 incident figures on 29 January. They showed that 3,552 reports were made last year, a 21% increase on 2021, despite the fact changes aimed at improving horse and rider safety applied from last January.

The BHS said it is disappointed more has not been done to raise public awareness of the Highway Code changes, which rank equestrians alongside cyclists in the new hierarchy of road users, and state that horses must be passed at a maximum of 10mph and a minimum of two metres’ distance.

“I am very passionate about safety,” Natasha said. “Hacking is a big part of my training, helping to build my horses’ fitness levels, but heading out on the roads can feel like you’re taking your life into your own hands.

“I’m so sad to see that this continues to remain the case, and it looks to be even worse a year after the changes to the Highway Code were introduced. Riding helps people from all backgrounds and walks of life, particularly when it comes to relieving stressful situations, and more needs to be done to make sure that every rider feels safe.”

The BHS says “urgent action” is needed to educate drivers.

“Horses are still being killed and injured on our roads, riders continue to be seriously injured and too many drivers underestimate the importance of driving carefully around horses,” said BHS director of safety Alan Hiscox.

“Our fear is that guidelines aren’t being clearly explained and delivered – this needs to change. Urgent action is required to make every road user aware of the Highway Code changes and, critically, why it’s so important to pass horses with care. Only through working collaboratively to educate and drive awareness will we be able to stop these awful incidents from happening over and over again.”

‘We’ve been keeping a secret’: multiple medal-winning rider announces first pregnancy

Polly Bryan — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 17:33:08 +0000

Paralympic multi-medallist Natasha Baker has revealed that she is pregnant. Natasha and her husband Marc Jaconelli are expecting their first child in April 2023.

Natasha, winner of team gold and double individual silver at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, discovered she was pregnant days after claiming two individual medals at the World Para Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark, in August.

Natasha and Marc were married in March 2022 at North Cadbury Court in Somerset, having been together since 2012.

“It’s something we always wanted and planned for, but it’s happened quicker than we ever expected,” said Natasha, in an interview with HELLO! magazine, also confirming that she is aiming to ride at the Paris Paralympics in 2024.

“It’s a blessing – and it works out perfectly timing-wise for Paris,” she said.

Natasha’s current top horse is Keystone Dawn Chorus, the Dimaggio mare she has had since 2019, and owns with Joanna Jenson, Christian Landolt and her parents, Phil and Lorraine. Natasha and “Lottie” were part of the Paralympic gold medal-winning British team in 2021, alongside Sophie Wells and Lee Pearson, also bringing home two individual silvers from the Tokyo Games. Tokyo was Natasha’s third Paralympics, having also won gold at London 2012 and Rio 2016, both with the late gelding Cabral.

In 2022, Natasha and Lottie won grade III individual silver and freestyle bronze at the world championships, bringing Natasha’s total championship medal count to 21. The team also qualified for the Paris Paralympics, though did not bring home a team medal.

Sharpening the cutting edge: what next for British para dressage?

Lucy Elder — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 17:02:42 +0000

With Paris 2024 qualification in the bag, British para dressage is taking stock and reviewing how it can sharpen its world-leading edge on an increasingly competitive global stage.

Britain has blazed a trail since 1996, but now other nations have caught up. The Brits bagged seven medals at the 2022 World Championships, yet there’s no getting away from the fact that Britain finished off the team podium for the first time. The standard was outstanding and the closeness of the results made for exciting sport.

So how does Britain push forward?

The answer, from those H&H approached, is that horsepower is critical as is increasing and nurturing rider talent. Horses and riders need greater exposure to busy show environments as they progress through their education and development. To source and afford the horsepower needed, a greater understanding in the wider equine marketplace of the qualities para horses require is needed. And riders need owners. The solution to many of these points lies in a much closer relationship between able-bodied and para sport.

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples reflected on the worldwide and national growth of the sport, adding London remains a “watershed moment”, but the sport has “grown exponentially” since then.

“Just in Britain, we’ve gone from 80 to 250 active para riders in the past four years,” she told H&H.

“If you project that to the rest of the globe, I think it starts to explain the competitiveness and acceleration of para sport and para dressage.“Tiny margins will forever now separate medals and I think people will be talking about podiums rather than golds, as they do in Olympic sport. There’s absolutely no room for error.”

The increase in both standard and international interest are welcomed.

“That’s what makes sport exciting, that’s what athletes want,” she says, adding that with that comes a “rallying cry” to support British para dressage.

“We absolutely can’t overlook the need for owners and we have some incredible ones.

“The need for owners to invest in horsepower has never been more important; it is increasingly difficult for riders just to go it alone, with the kind of horse they need.”

That links to the desire for greater overlap between the able-bodied and para fixtures, which Ms Sharples and riders both highlighted. It’s on the cards – and is particularly important post-Brexit, which makes competing abroad more challenging and costly.

“Integration is very much about the development of horse and rider, but it’s also letting as many people as possible see para dressage, who’ll perhaps then think, ‘I could be involved in that’ at any level – as a rider, an official or owner. We need people to get involved,” she said.

Natasha Baker has long advocated for more para sport at British shows and told H&H it’s important from many angles. Those include education, better exposure of horses and riders to championship-like atmospheres, and in terms of marketplace.

Speaking generally, she said horsepower is a key factor where other nations have overtaken Britain, giving the example of the Dutch NOP scheme, which provides financial support to secure top horses.

“There’s a lot of horses out there and they are not all going to make it to grand prix. It’s tapping into the professional riders that we have in this country,” she said, explaining that is how she found Keystone Dawn Chorus.

“That’s why I think Hartpury International is so great, we compete in the outdoor arena and a lot of the professional riders are there, sitting on the bank, hopefully seeing the standard of horses we need. Every year someone new comes up to me and says, ‘Wow, I didn’t know what the horsepower was like’.”She adds more consistent exposure to bigger crowds and competitions is another area that sets European nations apart.

“Getting more exposure to bigger atmospheres – and from a young age – I think would really help our horses,” she said.

In terms of British talent coming through, Keysoe CPEDI (see report, 13 October) was a place to spot horses and riders on the rise, including exciting six-year-olds partnered by Sophie Wells, Georgia Wilson and Erin Orford.

Ms Sharples praised the current para pathway, noting that being the best in the world isn’t just about having “three combinations to go and win medals”, but about the bigger picture of growing a sport. Other developments include the forthcoming launch of British Dressage’s para academy, and how the 2023 Europeans is likely to be used to develop combinations with future championships in mind.

She stressed that British Equestrian always wants to hear from owners and sellers of prospective para horses. The type of horse needed varies between grades, and between riders, so a horse that may not suit one para rider may well suit another.

Sophie Christiansen and Erin both echoed the points raised.

“We pushed the boundary with horses in 2012 – nobody had seen a horse walk like Rio [Janerio 6],” Sophie told H&H. “That’s why we broke the world record. It was, ‘Wow, that’s the calibre of horse paras can ride.’ Now, all the other countries have caught up. You would see some amazing horses with riders that maybe weren’t [at that level], or amazing riders with lesser horses. Now, there’s talented riders on talented horses with big financial backing from their country and equestrian community.”

She added that British sport needs to attract investment, in particular for horsepower, if it is to avoid becoming elitist.

Both riders also touched on areas where the sport could improve globally, from classification and grading, to enabling nations to send combinations in all five grades to European Championships.

“The other nations have always had nice horses,” Erin said to H&H. “Over the past few years, I think they’ve all massively upped their game with their riding and professionalism. We’ve gone from having a bit of breathing room to having none.

“It makes the sport interesting and more competitive. It pushes us to be better.”

Final farewell to pony who brought joy to numerous children ‘every day’ for decades

Lucy Elder — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 18:25:04 +0000

A Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) pony who brought joy to thousands of children and helped ignite the passion for riding in some of horse sport’s top competitors has died aged 29.

Tributes have been paid to Forester, who spent more than two decades at South Bucks RDA, brightening and changing the lives of those he touched every day.

“In his life, he did more good than some humans that try to do good, because he did it every day of the week,” Di Redfern of South Bucks RDA told H&H.

“Horses are incredible, and he was more incredible than most.”

Medal-winning para dressage riders Natasha Baker, Ricky Balshaw and Ireland’s Michael Murphy were among those to ride Forester.

Natasha, who rode him when he was a “cheeky” young pony, won her first trophy on the 13.2hh New Forest and credited him as the horse who gave her the belief she could “go on and achieve my dreams”.

“I was one of the first para riders to ride him,” Natasha told H&H. “He was so cheeky, I got bucked off him so many times! But he gave me so much.”

Natasha added that Forester was the first pony who gave her a taste of what dressage was about.

“He had a brilliant Scottish dressage to music soundtrack, which he loved. He was such a special pony, the first one I learnt to ride in an outline – he really taught me everything and I did so many ‘firsts’ with him. I know he wasn’t my own pony, but he was a pony of a lifetime. I can’t believe how many riders he has given those opportunities to,” she said.

“All RDA horses are special, he just had something extra special about him and the most incredible attitude towards work. He really looked after his riders – he had a bit of sass about him as well, but that’s what makes a good rider. He was an absolute star.”

Di remembered how Forester came to join the RDA group.

“He was advertised in the local paper – I called up and it turned out he was Lara Griffith’s pony. We bought him as a five- or six-year-old, and he has had the most amazing career,” she said.

“He attended the RDA championships for more than 20 years and always won something.

“He was a monkey, too! I remember in his early days helpers saying ‘he won’t let me tack him up’. I’d go in there and he would act as if butter wouldn’t melt.”

British Dressage judge Rachel Hillier helped school Forester, and he worked up to around elementary level. He was still being ridden, although his duties were in keeping with his veteran status.

“He would have helped thousands of children in those 20-odd years, he was very, very popular,” added Di.

“There are helpers here that can’t ever remember not having Forester around. He is very much missed.

“Thank you, Forester, for your lifetime of service. No pony has ever given more.”

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(Image credit: South Bucks RDA)

World Para Dressage Championships: what time do the Brits ride for freestyle medals?

Polly Bryan — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 07:20:52 +0000

The Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships times have been released for the freestyle on the final day of competition in Herning.

The top eight riders across the five grades, using combined scores from their individual and team tests, have qualified to ride the freestyle for the final set of medals, and all four British riders are among those who will be in action on this final day.

The World Para Dressage Championships times for the four British riders are as follows:

Georgia Wilson and Sakura (grade II): 10.53am (9.53am BST)
Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer (grade II): 11.20am (10.20am BST
Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus (grade III): 3pm (2pm BST)
Sophie Wells and Don Cara M (grade IV): 4.21pm (3.21pm BST)

World Para Dressage Championships times: when do the other favourites ride?

Make sure you don’t miss these other riders, all of whom could end up on the podium:

Rodolpho Riskalla and Don Henrico (BRA, grade IV): 9.54am (8.54am BST)
Sanne Voets and Demantur RS2 NOP (NED, grade IV): 10.03am (9.03am BST)
Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater (DEN, grade II): 11.11am (10.11am BST)
Pepo Puch and Sailor’s Blue (AUT, grade II): 11.38am (10.38am BST)
Rihards Snikus and King Of The Dance (LAT, grade I): 1.03pm (12.03pm BST)
Tobias Thorning Jorgensen and Jolene Hill (DEN, grade III): 3.18pm (2.18pm BST)
Frank Hosmar and Alphaville NOP (NED, grade V): 4.39pm (3.39pm BST)
Michele George and Best Of 8 (BEL, grade V): 4.48pm (3.48pm BST)

The team medals concluded yesterday, with the Netherlands taking gold ahead of Denmark in silver and the USA in bronze. Britain finished fourth, the first time they have finished off a championship podium in para dressage.

‘Paris is the end goal’: Natasha Baker produces counting score for the Brits as team competition goes down to the wire

Lucy Elder — Sat, 13 Aug 2022 12:28:41 +0000

Natasha Baker kept her cool to secure a counting score for the British side in the World Para Dressage Championships results table as she looks ahead to the long-term plan of Paris 2024.

Natasha reported after her individual silver medal-winning test earlier in the week that Keystone Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”) was feeling exuberant (“she wanted to take off like a rocket ship”) and their performance told a similar story.

“Some bits were better. It still felt marginally out of control,” said Natasha. “We just need to keep reinstalling those brakes!”

Lottie looked to be relishing the Herning atmosphere, with Natasha’s sympathetic riding helping the Dimaggio mare to settle as the test progressed. Their score of 73.68% will count for the British team. Denmark, the US and the Netherlands are looking very strong as the hunt for medals hots up. There is one final grade to go (grade V) today, and the final team results are very much all to play for in the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships.

Paris qualification is also on the table at these championships, as the top seven teams – not including host nation France – will secure a ticket to the 2024 Paralympics.

A step forward in the first halt and loss of rhythm in the medium trot – where Lottie took a single canter stride – were costly, and reflected in Natasha’s mark. But there was much to like, too, and Natasha spoke of how much they gained from this experience as she looks ahead to Paris.

“She went in there and that atmosphere didn’t faze her. She wasn’t fussed by the clapping and coming here, our focus is so long-term – it’s Paris – and this is just a great opportunity for her to come to this kind of event,” said Natasha, who co-owns the 11-year-old mare with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and her parents, Phil and Lorraine Baker.

“We have got such low mileage compared to everybody else that’s here. I’ve literally done one competition this year.”

Natasha had a delayed start to her World Para Dressage Championships campaign as she got married to Marc Jaconelli in the spring. On her return, Natasha came down with a nasty illness, which meant she has had the best part of six weeks off.

With all that considered, Natasha said she is pleased to “still be cracking the 70s”.

“All you can do is do your best on the day. And I think I’ve done that with everything that has been thrown at me this year. I don’t think I could have done any more if I’m being honest,” she said.

“I think from being so much weaker at the moment physically, I just can’t hold her together as well as I would like to. It’s amazing having that much power, but you need to be able to control it. I just don’t feel strong enough at the moment to be able to do that. But it’s great to be that way round, rather than having to motivate them.

“Paris is the end goal, and it’s just all little steps to make sure that we’re in tip top position for that.”

Team-mates Georgia Wilson (Sakura) and Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer) scored 72.97% and 73.53% in yesterday’s grade II, with team anchor Sophie Wells (Don Cara M) last to go at 3.32pm local time (2.32pm UK time) this afternoon.

‘I’m pleased we managed to put a score on the board at all’: Pressure on Britain as they seek Paris qualification after challenging day

Polly Bryan — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 19:16:03 +0000

The pressure is on for Britain’s final two riders to perform strongly on day two of the team competition at the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark.

Britain currently sit in 14th on the team leaderboard, but the top nine teams have had more riders complete in the team competition, as only grades I, II and IV have taken place. Of the teams that have had two or fewer riders in action so far, Britain is lying fifth, behind the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Ireland.

Sir Lee Pearson and Georgia Wilson were in action for Britain today in the grade II division. Georgia and the eight-year-old Supertramp achieved a solid score of 72.91% to get the ball rolling for Britain, while Lee posted 73.53% on his home-bred Barcardi son Breezer.

It was a tricky test for Lee, and a score well below what he and the talented but sensitive Breezer are capable of – some unfortunately timed applause from the neighbouring jumping stadium upset Breezer just as he and Lee were about to enter the arena, and their performance suffered with some tension as a result.

“It’s a very difficult test with a hot horse in a big environment, and I would have liked to have earned a slightly higher score for the team, but I’m actually pleased we managed to put a score on the board at all, because there were moments when I had to work really hard to calm him down by sitting really deep in the saddle,” said Lee.

Britain’s current standings mean that it will take chunky scores from tomorrow’s riders, Sophie Wells and Natasha Baker, to lift the team onto the podium at the World Para Dressage Championships. But both riders are very experienced and will be looking to build on their individual silver medals from earlier in the week, with Sophie and Don Cara M having posted 75.28% in grade V, and Natasha Baker scoring 73.97% with Keystone Dawn Chorus for silver in grade III.

Britain’s main rivals coming into the championship were expected to be Denmark and the Netherlands, and both these teams have already posted vey high scores from their day one riders in the team contest, as they remain in the hunt for medals. Also in contention for a podium place at this stage are the USA and German teams, while Ireland have also enjoyed a very strong start, thanks to Rosemary Gaffney and Michael Murphy scoring well in grades IV and I.

Michael earned a mark of over 76% with the Vivaldi x Kennedy gelding Cleverboy, finishing third on the grade I leaderboard following his bronze in the individual.

“He was amazing and really took it up a level from two days ago,” said Michael. “As a team, we’re really progressing – give us a few more years and hopefully be able to challenge the top teams.”

As well as medals, teams are hoping to secure valuable qualification for the Paris Paralympics in 2024. The top seven teams will win a slot at the Games, not including 2024 host nation Paris.

‘She wanted to take off like Glamourdale’: Natasha Baker wins silver for Britain after an exuberant test in Herning

Polly Bryan — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 16:02:21 +0000

Natasha Baker has claimed Britain’s fourth individual medal in Herning, finishing second in the Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships results for the grade III individual competition.

It was another Lottie who helped earn the silver medal – as Natasha’s mare Keystone Dawn Chorus in known in the stable – and Natasha joked that she thought the Dimaggio daughter had been taking tips from Lottie Fry’s double gold medallist Glamourdale overnight.

“I think she wanted to take off like a rocket ship, like Glamourdale does,” joked Natasha, after posting 73.97%, a solid mark but short of her best. “That was the quickest test I’ve ever ridden – I was hanging on for grim death.”

Natasha explained that it wasn’t that the atmosphere had fazed Lottie – even though the World Para Dressage Championships are offering the biggest audiences most of the para horses have seen since 2019. Instead, having had the best part of six weeks off with illness, after a delayed start to her World Para Dressage Championships campaign due to getting married and going on honeymoon, Natasha admitted was not as fit as she would have liked to have been, and therefore found it harder to hold a fresh Lottie together.

“Normally if she’s feeling like that I can get her together, but I’ve only been back in the saddle for two weeks,” said Natasha, who had a chest infection at the start of the summer, and had to withdraw from Hartpury CDI3* in July as she was still not fully recovered.

“I was on three lots of antibiotics and I’m still on some tablets and supplements right now to try to keep me healthy,” she said. “So just to be here and be selected and for the selectors to have the confidence in me that I can come out here and perform, I’m just so happy with the way she dealt with everything in there.

“As athletes we come here for bling, but we also come here to do our best and there’s honestly nothing I could have done better in that test,” she added of her silver medal.

World Para Dressage Championships results: other medalists

It was Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen who won gold, soaring into the lead in the World Para Dressage Championships results with a huge score of 78.68%. This marks the fifth individual gold medal as he completes the “triple crown” – winning gold at consecutive European Championships, Paralympics and World Championships.

The USA’s Rebecca Hart finished in the bronze medal position on the World Para Dressage Championships results table, scoring 73.§5% with El Corona Texel.

British para stars gear up for the World Para Dressage Championships in Herning

Polly Bryan — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 19:20:25 +0000

The Orifarm Healthcare FEI World Para Dressage Championships get underway tomorrow (Wednesday, 10 August) in Herning, Denmark, and the British team are ready for action.

Representing Britain in Herning are the same quartet who travelled out to the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, bringing home team gold and several individual medals. Sir Lee Pearson on Breezer, and Georgia Wilson with Sakura are due to compete in the grade II individual championship on Wednesday, the first day of action. Sophie Wells will ride Don Cara M in grade V on Thursday, while Natasha Baker will ride Keystone Dawn Chorus in grade III, also on Thursday.

The team competition starts on Friday, 12 August and runs over two days, with the freestyle taking place on Sunday, 14 August.

All four British horses passed the trot-up on Tuesday morning, and have since been enjoying an arena familiarisation session – with one or two other familiar faces dotted around the edge of the arena too. Check out some of the photos from the trot-up, and of Natasha, Lee and Sophie in action later – with Georgia having ridden separately to the others to allow her trainer Sophie to be with her.

Sophie Wells and Don Cara M at the World Para Dressage Championships trot-up (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Lisa Hopkins presents Keystone Dawn Chorus for Natasha Baker at the World Para Dressage Championships trot-up (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Katilyn Baughen presents Breezer on behalf of Lee Pearson at the para dressage trot-up (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Nina Venables presents Sakura for Georgia Wilson at the World Championships trot-up (Image credit: Jon Stroud Media)

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus during arena familiarisation at the Herning World Championships (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sophie Wells and Don Cara M enjoy their arena familiarisation session (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Para riders Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer) and Sophie Wells (Don Cara M) during arena familiarisation in Herning (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl Hester in training mode at the World Para Dressage Championships (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Carl Hester on the sidelines as Lee Pearson schools Breezer at the Herning World Championships (Image credit: creditUnknown)

British riders selected for para dressage World Championships team

Becky Murray — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 14:00:45 +0000

The British team for the para dressage World Championships (6-14 August) in Herning, Denmark, has been revealed.

The four combinations and three reserves chosen by British Equestrian and British Dressage selectors are:

Grade II

Sir Lee Pearson and 11-year-old gelding Breezer

Owner: Sir Lee

Breeder: Sir Lee

Breeding: by Bacardi

Lee Pearson and Breezer on winning form at Hartpury. (Image credit: KEVIN SPARROW)

Georgia Wilson and eight-year-old mare Sakura

Owner: Georgia and her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson

Breeder: G Eilberg

Great Britain’s Georgia Wilson riding Sakura in the Paralympic dressage in Tokyo. (Image credit: PA)

Grade III

Natasha Baker and 11-year-old mare Keystone Dawn Chorus

Owner: Natasha and Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and Natasha’s parents Phil and Lorraine Baker

Breeder: S Lavendera

Breeding: by Dimaggio

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus take grade III freestyle silver at the Tokyo Olympics. (Image credit: John Walton/PA Images)

Grade V

Sophie Wells and 13-year-old gelding Don Cara M

Owner: Rowland Kinch

Breeder: H M Melis

Breeding: by Don Jovi

Sophie Wells riding Don Cara M in the grade V freestyle at the Tokyo Paralympics. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Sophie has also been chosen with a direct reserve ride, eight-year-old gelding Jillz Geuzenhof, owned by Charlotte Hogg and bred by S Maakenschijn.

The reserve combinations for the British team at the para dressage World Championships, listed in order of selection, are:

Grade V

Charlotte Cundall with 12-year-old gelding FJ Veyron

Owner: The Veyron Partnership

Breeder: Active Equestrian

Breeding: by Vivaldi

Grade I

Gabriella Blake with 13-year-old gelding Strong Beau

Owner: Gabriella

Breeder: Ms S Amos

Breeding: by Spinway Blackthorn

Grade IV

Nicola Naylor with 10-year-old gelding Humberto LOwner: Einagriz Horses SRLBreeder: J LamersBreeding: by Cachet L, out of a mare by Haarlem

Beth Revill and Sue Keates Robinson will travel to the para dressage World Championships as grooms.

Selection decisions are subject to the rider and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and the list may be amended up until 25 July.

‘It beat winning gold at London 2012’: Paralympic medallist Natasha Baker shares details from her stunning wedding day

Polly Bryan — Thu, 28 Apr 2022 17:15:26 +0000

Paralympic rider Natasha Baker kicked off the 2022 season in style, with her wedding to Marc Jaconelli. Multi-medallist Natasha and business owner Marc tied the knot on Saturday 26 March at North Cadbury Court in Somerset, and described it as “the best day of our lives”.

“I always said that London 2012 was the best day of my life,” Natasha told H&H, referring to the double gold she won at her first Paralympic Games riding Cabral. “But actually, our wedding day beat even that. Having everyone we love all in one room just meant the world to us. I’ve dreamed of my wedding since I was two years old and it turned out to be a dream come true.

“I have been so fortunate to have ridden at three Paralympic Games, but marrying the love of your life is something you only do once, and so we wanted to give it our everything,” added Natasha, who won triple gold at Rio in 2016, also on Cabral, as well as team gold and double individual silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021 on Keystone Dawn Chorus (Lottie).

She confirmed she will continue to ride and commentate under the name Natasha Baker after the wedding, but will take Marc’s surname, Jaconelli, for her personal life.

She and Marc, who first met at the London 2012 Paralympic Ball, got engaged while skiing in Switzerland in January 2020.

“The uncertainty [of the pandemic] meant we didn’t know what it would mean for us, but luckily it didn’t impact us too much,” said Natasha, who admits that she was “an emotional mess” while walking down the aisle to the traditional Wedding March, with her father Phil.

“I was so nervous, and my heart was pounding. I was actually way more nervous than I usually am when competing, but I found myself using all the same techniques as I do before riding,” she says. “In the ceremony I started weeping and needed tissues! The ceremony was really emotional and beautiful, but not too formal.”

Natasha Baker: ‘I wanted the wedding to be about us as a couple’

Horses may be a huge part of Natasha’s life and career, but the couple opted not to have many horsey touches as part of their wedding day.

“We didn’t want it to be horsey, even though I think everyone expected me to, because I was really conscious that I wanted the day to be about me and Marc, rather than about me,” explains Natasha. “He is incredibly supportive of my whole horsey life, but that’s not our relationship. I wanted to make it clear that the day was about us and what we had done together. The one small nod to horses was that we named all our tables after places that we had been together that meant a lot to us, and Rio was one of them, because of the Paralympics.”

While the day may not have had equestrian vibes, there were plenty of familiar faces from the horseworld in attendance, including Natasha’s fellow Paralympic dressage medallist Sophie Christiansen; Mount St John Stud’s Emma Blundell; owners Christian Landolt and Joanna Jensen, Natasha’s trainers Lisa Hopkins and Claire Gallimore, as well as Natasha’s FEI commentating colleagues Phil Ghazala and Spencer Sturmey. Equestrian journalist and media manager Amy Powell was also one of Natasha’s bridesmaids.

Food was an important focus of the day, with Natasha reporting that their menu of goats cheese and parma ham bruschetta, fillet of beef and a trio of desserts turned out to be “incredible”.

“We also had singing waiters, which was one of the biggest highlights – only I knew about them, but when they came out everyone was on their feet singing and dancing, we had people on chairs,” she laughs.

The speeches were another emotional moment, with Natasha’s father Phil reducing plenty of guests to tears.

“Whenever I compete, before I go into the ring, he taps me on the leg and says ‘Good luck, have fun and enjoy’. In his speech he got everyone to say that as a toast to our marriage,” says Natasha.

The day rounded off with Natasha and Mark performing their first dance to Frankie Valli’s Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, before dancing the night away with their friends and family.

“We partied all night and I don’t think I got off the dancefloor once,” laughs Natasha.

New equine-assisted therapy register launches with Paralympian as patron

Becky Murray — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 13:31:08 +0000

A register of practitioners offering equine-assisted therapy goes live next week, with the aim of providing “credibility and meaningful standards” for the industry.

In March 2021 H&H reported that a steering group had been formed involving organisations including the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), Hartpury University, HorseBack UK and Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship, with the aim of creating the voluntary Human Equine Interaction Register (HEIR). A consultation followed, with which more than 200 organisations engaged, including providers, funders and clients, and showed a “clear demand” for the register.

Operating under the umbrella of the Federation of Horses in Education and Therapy International, HEIR will launch on 31 March and provide a place where clients, service commissioners and funders can get “information and reassurance” that the organisation offering human-equine interaction services is “credible” and works to minimum standards.

A spokesman for the steering group said the number of human-equine interaction programmes available in the UK had increased significantly over the last decade, and the scope, size and professional backgrounds of these services “vary greatly, with “little coordination” as to standards of practice.

To join the register practitioners and organisations must submit documents and evidence to confirm that they align with and meet five criteria: professionalism, equine welfare, service provision and service user engagement, benefits and impact, and governance.

“The development of the register is a huge step forward in getting the field of human-equine interaction in the UK working together, building credibility with those that matter and making sure that we are all working to sensible and meaningful standards. It will take the industry forward with a giant leap,” said Ed Bracher, outgoing chief executive of RDA UK and chair of the HEIR steering group.

Paralympic medallist Natasha Baker, who has been appointed patron of the register, said she was “excited” to watch it grow.

“I think that coming up through RDA and benefiting not just physically, but through friendships, mixing with people with similar interests, and meeting people with different disabilities and challenges, has given me so much and without it, I wouldn’t have six gold medals to my name,” she said.

“There are so many individuals and organisations out there that provide these services and people need to be able to find them to access the service that best suits their needs.”

Nigel Payne of the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trust said the organisation receives an “enormous” amount of applications for funding in which charities suggest they are “experts” in equine-assisted therapy, but said it was vital the trust knows the organisation is recognised through a form of “kitemark”.

“This register is perfect because we would like to be able to access a database, know what they do, where they are located and that they are safe to practise,” he said.

“This is so important as it avoids potential harm to service users and horses. As a grantmaker we need to know that they have been endorsed to be on the register.”

‘Following dreams’: Britain’s Olympic heroes among those on New Year Honours List

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 19:54:44 +0000

BRITISH Olympic and Paralympic gold medallists are among those recognised in the 2022 New Year Honours List.

Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells, who won team gold at the Tokyo Paralympics along with Sir Lee Pearson, and individual silvers, were appointed OBE for services to equestrianism. The gold medal-winning eventing team riders, Tom McEwen, who also took individual silver, Laura Collett and Oliver Townend, were appointed MBE with the same citation.

Natasha told H&H she found out in early December and it was hard to keep the news a secret until New Year’s Eve.

“I dreamed that I would go to a Paralympics one day; it had always been my dream, so you never expect this coming from something you love doing,” she said. “I work really hard trying to inspire the next generation of athletes, or young people to follow their dreams, because that’s what I did, and I think that comes into it, and to have this recognition is a big honour. I feel a lucky, lucky girl.”

Sophie told H&H the honour was “surreal and humbling”.

“It’s not something you can aim for or win; everything we do is trying to better ourselves and aiming towards something but this you have no control over; it’s amazing,” she said. “It comes from outside the sport, from non-horsey and even non-sporting people, and I hope that in the work we do, competing, coaching or whatever, it is helping inspire the next generation, bringing the sport into a good light, and making people believe that things are possible.”

Tom told H&H it was an “incredible honour”.

“The Olympics was always a main goal and it was a dream come true to compete there,” he said. “I was so fortunate to have Toledo as my partner at the Olympics, and hopefully it inspires a new generation as much as it’s inspired me!”

Laura said she “didn’t think her year could get any better” and Oliver said he was “just incredibly honoured”, adding: “As always, a huge thanks to everyone who supports us, none of this would have been possible without you all.”

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 02: (L-R) Gold medalists Oliver Townend, Laura Collett and Tom McEwen of Team Great Britain celebrate with their gold medals after the Eventing Jumping Team medal ceremony on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Gamesat Equestrian Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

British Eventing CEO Helen West added: “I couldn’t be more delighted for Laura, Tom and Oliver to have their success acknowledged in such a deserving way. Their performances in Tokyo will have inspired riders everywhere. They have also not only set the standard for others but have also shown the world that the competition framework we have in Great Britain is the best there is in terms of producing horses and riders.”

Fellow Tokyo gold medallists Joe Choong and Kate French were both appointed MBE for services to modern pentathlon, as was team coach Jabeena Maslin.

Natalie O’Rourke, owner of Park Lane Stables Riding for the Disabled Association centre in Teddington, London, was appointed MBE, for services to people with disabilities and the local community, at the end of a year in which the stables raised £1.3m to secure its home.

“This award is really for all of us, for the invisible army behind me who have never faltered in their belief in what we could achieve,” Natalie said. “I’m just an ordinary girl from Birmingham who followed what felt right. This award is dedicated to my dad, who gave up his career to bring me up after my mother died. Despite not sharing my passion for horses, he has quietly supported me in everything I’ve done over the years.”

Former Blue Cross CEO Countess Sally de la Bedoyere was appointed CBE for services to animal welfare.

Current CEO Chris Burghes told H&H: “Sally is a fabulous advocate for animal welfare and did much to promote this during her time at Blue Cross.

“Sally led Blue Cross through significant growth including developing an ambitious strategy and more than doubling awareness of the charity, increasing income by nearly 20% as well as creating agile rehoming, veterinary and behaviour services to reach those animals and owners most in need.

“We’re delighted to see her enormous contribution to animal welfare recognised.”

George Paul and Reynold Kirk were also appointed MBE, for services to British Horseracing Heritage and to the North Irish Horse Regimental Association and the Carrickfergus Community Heritage Project respectively. Racing trainer and leading industry figure Terence McKeag was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to agriculture and equestrian sport in Northern Ireland.

In the army awards, Simon Brooks-Ward, director of the London International and Royal Windsor horse shows, was appointed CBE for services to the MoD.

Major General Simon Brooks-Ward is assistant chief of defence staff (reserves and cadets) and his service finishes in June.

He told H&H: “As the most senior reservist in the armed forces and as a major general, I was deeply honoured at the end of my 32 years of service to be recognised in this way”.

What do you think of the list? Send your congratulations to hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, and nearest town and county, and you could win a bottle of Champagne Taittinger

‘Let’s go girls’: Paralympian Natasha Baker puts Shania Twain through her paces on horseback

Becky Murray — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 20:03:52 +0000

Paralympic multi-medallist Natasha Baker has put Grammy award-winning country star Shania Twain through her paces on horseback.

In Sunday night’s (7 November) episode of ITV’s The Pet Show Canadian singer Shania joined Natasha at her yard in Uxbridge, west London, where she learnt about dressage. The pair were in “horsey heaven” as they discussed Natasha’s riding techniques and Shania’s love of liberty work.

Natasha told H&H when she agreed to take part in the show, which celebrates the “UK’s animal obsession” and is hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Joanna Page, she did not know which star would be joining her.

“When I was told it was Shania, straight away I said ‘Well that don’t impress me much!’, and that was when the puns started and they still haven’t finished!” she said.

“She’s a bit of a legend of our generation, I can remember singing her songs going into school. Filming was quite surreal, we were so busy chatting, I think we were driving the camera crew mad. We kept going off on tangents, it was like talking to a long-lost friend.”

In the episode, filmed before the Tokyo Paralympics, Natasha rode Keystone Dawn Chorus (Lottie) with whom she went on to win individual silver in the grade III freestyle and team gold at the Games, while Shania rode livery Sue Martin’s 12-year-old mare Millie.

“Not many people can say Shania has ridden their horse – I was a bit jealous! She did ask to ride Lottie but we were filming a week for before the final selection for Tokyo at Hartpury International so I couldn’t risk anything going wrong,” explained Natasha.

“I knew Shania was horsey and she’s had horses in her music videos in the past. She does most of her stuff at liberty and brideless and is very much about minimal aids so I think she found it fascinating that I do the things I do with Lottie without the use of my legs. We were told by the producers Shania was on a really tight schedule and had to be away at a specific time and I think she was still here two hours after filming. She got her laptop out and was showing me videos of her horses, she was so genuinely lovely.”

Natasha has been invited to meet Shania Twain’s horses in future.

“Her main base is in Switzerland, and I go out to Switzerland skiing with my owner Christian [Landolt]. She said when we’re next there to give her a call to go and see her ranch there, which would be amazing. She also invited us to Las Vegas where she has a farm so hopefully one day we can make it happen!”

The Pet Show airs on Sundays at 5.35pm on ITV and previous episodes can be watched on catch up on the ITV Hub.

Top names help inspire disadvantaged young people through riding academy

Becky Murray — Sat, 06 Nov 2021 12:03:59 +0000

An initiative aimed at introducing disadvantaged children to the wide range of career opportunities in the equestrian industry has been relaunched.

The London International Horse Show Riding Academy, first initiated in 2019 by London International (formerly Olympia) organisers with Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, returned with an event on 3 November attended by showjumper Jack Whitaker, Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker, and equestrian officials.

A spokesman for the academy said 12 teenagers from Ebony attended and gained “invaluable experience”.

“Attendees had the opportunity to meet top riders and equestrian officials, learn and engage, and receive advice and guidance on possible career paths,” said the spokesman “For many, the highlight of the day was a riding lesson from Jack. Students were also given the opportunity to spend time with Natasha and learn about her journey and successes, as well as viewing her many medals.

“Participants also benefited from an informative talk from Winnie Murphy [British Equestrian head of communications] who spoke about the various career opportunities within equestrianism, beyond riding, and the pathways available to kick-start their chosen vocations.”

The spokesman added that the London International recognises the importance of supporting and reaching out to less privileged local communities to inspire and advise children on how to further their passion for equestrianism. The event had mental health as a “central theme”, from keeping in the best frame of mind for competition to the role horses can play in improving a person’s mental health.

Jack said it was “amazing” to see the opportunities Ebony Horse Club provides to young people.

“It’s brilliant the London International Horse Show has brought everyone together and used their platform to support the local community in this way. The show always goes above and beyond and I have really enjoyed it and learnt a lot myself too,” he said.

London International show director Simon Brooks-Ward said the academy is “so important” to the organising team.

“With this initiative we hope to widen accessibility and participation to the equestrian industry to those individuals and communities who have more barriers to the sport,” he said.

“The academy provides a platform in which children can learn about how to create a career within the industry and we hope the children were inspired from the day.”

Major shows urged to help para riders win medals in Paris 2024

Lucy Elder — Tue, 21 Sep 2021 19:01:04 +0000

MAJOR show organisers have been called upon to help Britain’s para dressage riders “win gold medals in Paris” and bridge the gap between disability and able-bodied sport.

Sir Lee Pearson and Natasha Baker both spoke of the challenges of preparing horses for the high-octane atmosphere of championships, imploring major UK shows to feature more para sport.

Lee, who won triple gold in Tokyo, said having 10,000 people in the Equestrian Park, had spectators been allowed in, would probably have been “overload” for Breezer.

“We’ve got to get him used to that for Paris,” he said, adding that he has visited retirement home Bagnall Heights, to try to get his horses used to spectators.

“So if any of the big venues at home… can have us doing some displays, they’re going to be possibly helping us win gold medals in Paris. To go from no audience to 10,000 in three years is a big step for a sensitive horse, and they have to cope with the same environment as a grand prix horse.”

Natasha agreed, saying she would like to see the Paralympic movement more in line with the Olympic equivalent, and people need to see disability sport to bring investment and growth.

“We need to be at more able-bodied shows, We need to be more inclusive, we want that recognition that our able-bodied counterparts [receive],” she said.

“They can’t be scared of us, the para dressage riders; we want to be put into the bigger atmospheres. I think we’re making steps towards that, but there’s still too much of a gap. I think our show organisers need to take more responsibility and include us more.”

She added that para riders “want to be involved”, and accessibility will be key to bringing sponsors and owners.

“That is going to open people’s eyes who maybe haven’t seen para dressage and think, ‘I really want to be involved’, or, ‘I’ve got a horse that actually isn’t going to make it to the next level [in able-bodied]. But you know what? They could go to Paris and win a medal,’” she said.

Para dressage has been part of major UK shows in the past, and H&H contacted several organisers to ask about plans. Royal Windsor, the London International Horse Show (formerly Olympia), Your Horse Live and Hickstead all responded, with comments broadly suggesting this is in discussion.

Your Horse Live has frequently featured para dressage.

Event director Emma Bedford told H&H the interviews and demonstrations with para riders “never fail to amaze and delight our crowds”.

“Your Horse Live is an event for horse enthusiasts whatever their age, level, physical ability, or discipline – everyone is welcome,” she said, adding that the common theme is we “all love horses” and want to learn to be the best riders we can.

“We were determined that para riders and their horses would benefit from the same opportunities as all our riders, using our show as a training opportunity, which is particularly important for younger horses as this allows them to become accustomed to the lights and sounds of a 3,000-seater arena in a friendly, unpressured atmosphere,” she said.

“Para riders and enthusiasts will always be an integral part of what makes Your Horse Live such a special event.”

Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn congratulated the British team on their successful Games and told H&H Dressage at Hickstead under Dane Rawlins was a “huge supporter” of para sport.

“Dressage on the main showground is still in its infancy,” she explained, adding that the Premier League show in May featured young horses and ponies, juniors and young riders in its first year, and para dressage is something the venue will consider again.

A spokesman for HPower, which organises Royal Windsor and the London International Horse Show, said its programmes are “constantly under review”.

“We sympathise with the wish to see more para sport in major UK shows,” she said. “There are certain drivers that help us form decisions on programme content – these include audience demand, available time and commercial commitments.

“We have included para riders in our events, whether as a part of the commentary team or in a masterclass, and we recognise the importance of inclusion for the sport.”

‘Disability needs to be seen as equal’: Natasha Baker calls for unity and inclusion following Tokyo silver medal-winning freestyle performance

Lucy Elder — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 00:53:38 +0000

Triple Tokyo Paralympic medallist Natasha Baker shared a powerful message of unity and inclusion following her silver medal-winning freestyle performance aboard Keystone Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”).

Natasha, who had already won five gold medals across the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Paralympics before adding to her tally in Tokyo, was reflecting on the platform the Games provides to help drive change in both the sporting and wider world.

“Everybody is different and it would be such a boring world if everybody was the same,” said Natasha, who wore gloves sporting a hand-drawn WeThe15 logo for her Tokyo performances.

“We need to embrace each other’s differences, whether that be race, sexuality, disability. Everybody is different. Everybody has strengths, everybody has weaknesses. I think in the past, it’s just been brushed under the carpet – people are too scared to confront people with disabilities, they don’t know how to approach us and this is such an incredible platform to spread that message from.

“I think the Paralympics especially shows that actually, it’s not about disability it is about ability and the things that disabled people can go out and achieve with determination, with hard work. It shows that we are human beings.

“Disability needs to be seen as equal. We deserve that right to be able to travel as able-bodied people travel, to be spoken to as able-bodied people are spoken to. And, unfortunately, it isn’t the case.”

“And so [the Paralympics is] such an incredible platform to really speak out, spread the awareness of disability, and ableism – and actually how damaging that can be to disabled people.”

Natasha praised the increased coverage of the Games this year, particularly by Channel 4, but added increased coverage of disability sport in general is still needed.

“Everybody loves watching Paralympic sports and that only really comes around every four years,” she said. “We need to see people with disabilities on the TV more. We need to see Paralympic sport more for people to be able to invest into it and to really for them to feel like they know us on a more personal level.

“I think we’re making steps towards that, but there’s still too much of a gap, and that needs to be closed.”

Looking within the horse world, Natasha echoed Sir Lee Pearson’s call for para equestrian sport to be included in major show’s programmes.

“I really want to see the the Paralympic movement coming more in line with the Olympic movement,” she said, calling on major show organisers to include para riders in their programmes.

“We need to be at more able-bodied shows, We need to be more inclusive, we want that recognition. We want to be out there; they can’t be scared of us para dressage riders. We want to be put into these bigger atmospheres. Lottie had never seen like a quarter of [what she’s experienced in Tokyo] – I think the biggest arena she’d been in was Hartpury and that’s nothing compared to this.

“We need more exposure. That’s what we want, and I think the UK shows do need to take that on board and take more responsibility and schedule us in.”

Natasha added this was an area she pushed on when she had time owing to a lull between horses, and is something she is keen to pick back up and “really champion”.

“We just want to be involved in it and I think that’s also when we’ll get more sponsors and more owners interested, because there’s more accessibility to our sport,” she said.

“It’s really hard to get para owners when we’re not out there enough. My owners are incredibly supportive but unfortunately they couldn’t be here [in Japan], so we want to give back to them in other ways.”

She added giving para horse owners the opportunity to watch their horses at those bigger shows is not only supportive of those already in the game, but has the potential to bring in new investors.

“That is then going to open other people’s eyes, who maybe haven’t seen para dressage before and think ‘I really want to be involved in that’ or ‘I’ve got an able bodied horse that actually isn’t going to make it to the next level, but they could go to Paris and win a medal out there’, said Natasha.

“That’s what we need to develop in our country a lot more and that’s not going to happen until we get out there more and start spreading the message.”

Natasha remembers how she was inspired by watching the British riders at the 2000 Sydney Games and the impact that visibility has had on her own life.

“I said ‘if they can do it, then I can do it’,” she said. “If you set your mind to something, and you want it, there’s absolutely nothing holding you back from going out and achieving that.”

Natasha Baker takes Paralympic freestyle silver: ‘She was so tired today –to come out with silver is beyond belief’

Pippa Roome — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 11:34:50 +0000

Natasha Baker took the silver medal for Britain in the Paralympics dressage grade III freestyle today in Tokyo.

Natasha scored 77.614% for her active, rhythmic test on Keystone Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”) – who is owned by Joanna Jensen and Christian Landolt, as well as Natasha and her parents Lorraine and Phil – despite saying the mare felt “exhausted” tonight.

She said: “Lottie was really, really tired and as soon as I sat on her, I could just feel it and I thought, ‘Oh no, we shouldn’t have left so long to warm up today.’ It’s all such a learning curve – I didn’t know how she was going to come out. We gave her a complete day off yesterday and only did hand grazing in the paddock and I thought that might give her a bit more energy, but it didn’t.

“I’ve never done a competition where I’ve had a day off in between, it’s always been successive days, so it’s one for the memory bank. To do that under those circumstances and still come out with a silver medal is just beyond belief.”

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus take grade III freestyle silver at the Tokyo Olympics. (Image credit: John Walton/PA Images)

Some of Natasha’s music is from the freestyle she used with her London and Rio Paralympics dressage horse Cabral (“JP”).

Although she was emotional thinking about JP afterwards, Natasha admitted she didn’t give it much thought during the test: “To be honest, I couldn’t really concentrate on the music because I was working so hard keeping her going. I was quite ahead of my music just because she didn’t have that lift that she normally does and that’s what I got so well in Saturday’s team test. She just felt flat and therefore it was a little bit fast, but I was trying really hard to keep the engagement.”

Looking back on the whole week, Natasha said: “I can take so much confidence from the fact that she has gone in that arena and every single day she’s just felt more relaxed. To know that she can handle this kind of environment – I could not be more proud of her.

“My owner Joanna [Jensen] sent me the sweetest message earlier – she was like, ‘I am so proud of you that you could just go in there, stand at X, and do a bit of disco dancing and I would be happy for you’. Lottie has exceeded every single expectation – if you’d have said to me I was going to win two individual silvers and a team gold, I would have said you were lying because I just never imagined that any of this would be possible.

“We can really grow on the experiences that we’ve had here. She’s just going to get better and stronger and our relationship is just going to develop so much more. I just couldn’t be more proud of everything that she’s achieved and everything that she’s done for me.”

Natasha contracted transverse myelitis (inflammation of a section across the spine) when she was 14 months old, which resulted in permanent nerve damage, leaving her with a severe weakness, loss of balance and sensation, and the inability to feel her legs.

Paralympics dressage freestyle: gold for Denmark

As in the individual test last Friday, Natasha was the runner-up to Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Jorgensen on the grey mare Jolene Hill, who scored 84.347% to become the third Paralympic dressage plus-80% freestyle gold medal winner of the day so far.

“I kind of left my head out here this time, because I wanted really to show I can do this and so I rode all the time just to the edge of being too much,” said Tobias. “I was probably closer to some mistakes today than I was yesterday, but I took the chance.”

Tobias said he will have “a whole month of celebration” when he returns home.

“I always had the dream about double gold, but I knew it was going to be hard and having them is always something exceptional. I would be happy if it was a silver or bronze – just to get two medals at my first Paralympics – but two golds, that’s amazing.”

Although his score today was a personal best, Tobias admitted his emotions were delayed until he saw Natasha’s mark.

“It was kind of hard because I was so focused when I got off and out of the arena and I knew that Natasha could pretty much beat every score I had if she did her best, so I didn’t really have the emotions right after. When I saw the score I was very happy, but when I saw her score I really was happy.”

Tobias said he wants the greatest takeaway from this Paralympics dressage competition to be that the sport has a new star in his mare Jolene Hill.

“Without the horse I’m nothing, I need a horse like her,” he said.

The withdrawal of Dutch rider Rixt van der Horst, who took the bronze in the individual test here at the Tokyo Paralympics, opened the door for Norway’s Ann Cathrin Lubbe to take the bronze following fourth last Friday. She scored 76.447% today on La Costa Majlund.

The Paralympics dressage continues with the freestyles for the final two grades, including two medal chances for Britain in the upcoming grade II class.

‘We wanted a medal, but we didn’t think this was possible’: Britain reflects on ‘fairytale’ Tokyo team gold

Lucy Elder — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 13:58:54 +0000

The golden British trio admitted that never in a “million, trillion, gazillion years” did they expect to be taking home the Tokyo Paralympic dressage team title.

Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer), Natasha Baker (Keystone Dawn Chorus) and Sophie Wells (Don Cara M) faced their strongest opposition yet at a Paralympic Games, securing victory over the Dutch by a 0.656 point margin. The bronze medal-winning US team, tipped as Tokyo team favourites, were less than six percent behind the leaders.

Britain is unbeaten in the Paralympic team competition, with their run of golden success spanning 25 years since the sport was introduced to the programme at Atlanta 1996.

The three British riders on the team all have a wealth of experience behind them, but none of these horses have any championship experience and neither Don Cara M nor Keystone Dawn Chorus had ever left the country before. Sophie was also riding her reserve horse, following the 11th hour withdrawal of C Fatal Attraction before the side left the UK.

She said that while a Tokyo Paralympic dressage team medal was their goal, they had “absolutely no idea” that gold would be within reach.

“We had no idea and no expectation that that’s what we could do, because we genuinely didn’t think that was possible being realistic,” she said.

“We all had horses that have never done it, and we’ve not competed against anybody else [to see how we compare]. The Dutch are so strong and so established and secure on those horses, and we knew America were doing amazingly.”

She added that change of perspective meant that they approached these Games in a different, more relaxed way. On reflection, that different approach was what earned them the gold.

“We just went in and did our jobs, which is what we always do,” said Sophie. “We didn’t go fighting for it this time, because we didn’t think we were then in the mix to fight for it. That shows that actually, maybe that different approach actually is really good. For me on this horse, that’s definitely the approach [that works].

“Like Lee was saying yesterday, you have to ride with such skill and you’re taking every inch of your experience over so many years into that arena.

“I’m just so proud to be on a team with these guys and what everyone’s done has been awesome.”

Natasha added it was “quite nice” to come into the Tokyo Paralympic dressage without the weight of expectation that has followed Britain to its past championships.

“We were hoping to come and maybe challenge for a bronze,” said Natasha, adding they are all “immensely proud” of everything their horses have done and achieved this week.

“Every championship and every Paralympics [in the past], we’ve gone in with that expectation and that pressure on our shoulders. But we were chatting the other day and it’s been so relaxed just being able to come in and enjoy it. It’s just been the most incredible experience. I think that’s why we’ve all cried so much, because we just didn’t expect this in a million years.”

Lee credited the team behind the scenes and the selectors for having faith in the riders they chose for these Games.

“Just to be here, to get here, to compete and then to do as well as we have is a fairytale,” said Lee. “You can, perhaps, think for British riders who have done as well as we have done in previous Paralympic Games that’s not the case, but it really is a fairytale.

“Even on young, inexperienced horses, the selectors had faith in the British riders that they sent out here, because they do believe that as riders we draw on every little bit of experience that we have to get the best score that we can. I’m so grateful to them.”

Gold! Britain retains Paralympic team title in mighty tussle with the Netherlands

Martha Terry — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 11:42:01 +0000

Britain extended her unbeaten golden run at the Tokyo Paralympics, taking the top spot in the Paralympics dressage team competition by a whisker. Team GB’s three team riders, Lee Pearson, Natasha Baker and Sophie Wells held off the Dutch challenge by just 0.656%.

This time round, gold was far from a certainty, as Britain had lost its aura of invincibility at the previous World and European Championships, when the Netherlands took gold. With a team of inexperienced horses, Britain was aiming for the podium, but the gold was always going to be a bonus given the strength of the other teams.

And it did prove to be a battle between the Dutch and the Brits. But after both Lee (Breezer) and Sophie (Don Cara M) pulled out personal best marks for their respective partnerships, it was up to the Netherlands’ Sanne Voets also to conjure up the test of her life to secure the gold. She did manage to produce a stunning personal best of 78.2%, but Britain had just done enough.

“It was my aim to do my best test ever – for everything to come together at the right time, after working for five years,” said Sanne. “It was almost magical and I loved riding to music. It helps me to focus and I felt my smile just get bigger and bigger.”

Sanne had a tactic for dealing with the pressure of already knowing what mark she had to produce to secure gold for the Netherlands, due to the Brits having completed.

“My biggest goal was to make my horse shine, and give him that spotlight he deserves,” she says. “That helped me focus, and I think that all three of us [Dutch] riders rode the tests we wanted, with no mistakes.”

Paralympics dressage: the fight for medals

The US team (Roxanne Trunnell, Kate Shoemaker and Rebecca Hart) were 5% adrift in bronze. Their individual gold medal-winning Grade I rider Roxanne produced the top score throughout the team tests of 80.321% on Dolton.

Kate Shoemaker produced a lovely test for 71.825% on Solitaer 40, but admitted she was hoping for a better mark.

“I’m disappointed in the score, that it didn’t come in higher as I think it might the best test he’s ever done,” she said. “I wanted the results to be higher for the Paralympic experience, but as far as representing your country it’s a wonderful opportunity – irreplaceable.”

Denmark made a valiant effort to finish just off the podium in fourth, with Tobias Jørgensen producing a fabulous display on his grey mare Jolene Hill to score 79.559. They were 0.028% behind the US.

‘I really, really went for it’: Natasha Baker conjures a super test to keep Britain in line for Paralympic gold

Martha Terry — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 14:10:42 +0000

Natasha Baker came out all guns blazing in her team test at the Tokyo Paralympics dressage competition to keep Britain in strong contention for the gold medal. Riding Keystone Dawn Chorus, a 10-year-old Dimaggio mare, Natasha scored 76.618%, to finish second among the Grade III riders in the team rotation.

This result puts Britain at the head of the teams who have fielded two riders after Lee Pearson topped the Grade II riders with Breezer on 77.636%.

Natasha, who won individual silver in the Grade IIIs earlier in the week, was determined to ask her mare for more in this test. Whereas the inexperienced mare had been a bit surprised on her first competitive experience in the arena, today she felt more confident.

“Tonight she knew her job, she had her ears pricked the whole time and was really enjoying it in there,” said Natasha. “I am unbelievably proud of the improvement she’s made overnight. Yesterday [27 August] I wanted a nice, safe test, but today I thought, ‘no, you can handle a bit more’, and I really, really went for so much.”

British riders boost team medal hopes

“My horse felt fabulous and the fact that she allowed me to do that was just brilliant,” continued Natasha. “It would mean the world for us to get on the podium. We never expected to be in contention for the gold coming here. Even to walk away with a team medal would be incredible.

“I’m so proud of Lee, he rode a stonking test. I couldn’t have done any more, and I know that Sophie [Wells] will go in tomorrow and ride the best she possibly can.”

Natasha’s delight at her horse’s performance made up for her slight disappointment over her pirouette.

“My percentage would have been a lot higher if I hadn’t messed up the pirouette,” she said. “It’s an impossible movement for someone with no use of their legs! She just tries to take over and go so small, like she’s saying ‘I’ve got this Mum’, even though I have my leg on and my whip tapping her. I got a cracking pirouette in the warm-up, but unfortunately they didn’t count that.

“But [in the test] I could really push more – the leg-yields were really nice, she was really balanced, up and powerful. And there was more relaxation in the walk. I can’t ask for more.”

This increased confidence bodes well for the freestyle on Monday, which Natasha cites as her “favourite test by a mile.”

Britain strengthens medal hopes at halfway stage of the Tokyo para dressage team competition

Martha Terry — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 13:25:03 +0000

Natasha Baker produced an excellent test in the Paralympics dressage team competition to strengthen Britain’s hopes of team gold after Lee Pearson produced a personal best earlier in the day at the Tokyo Games. Natasha was in the 10-strong Grade III section, and her score of 76.618% was just shy of her personal best with Keystone Dawn Chorus.

Natasha had the confidence to ask for more from her mare than in the individual, and it paid off.

“She was on it, she had her ears pricked the whole time; she was loving it,” Natasha said. “My ultimate goal was for her to feel happy in the arena, and I could ride her so much more today. I pushed more, and she felt really up and powerful.”

Natasha was ruing the walk pirouette, in which she said the mare “took over and went really small”, but was proud of the leg-yields and increased relaxation in the walk.

“I knew she could handle a bit more today, and so I went for it,” she added. “I know it’s the same percentage [as my individual], but it would have been a lot higher if I hadn’t messed up my pirouette. I am so excited about the freestyle now!”

Denmark challenges for team para dressage medals

The placings in this section mirrored the Grade III individual medals. Denmark’s Tobias Jørgensen led with 79.559% on his flamboyant grey mare Jolene Hill, with Natasha second, just ahead of Dutch rider Rixt van de Horst on 76.235%.

Tobias, 21, expressed his gratitude to his mare, after she helped him out when he was in pain today.

“I don’t know what I’ve done [to myself], but it was Jolene doing what she does best and just carrying me around,” he said. “Today she was even better than yesterday. I hope we could maybe be a medal contender, or at least take [the chance] if anyone else makes a mistake.”

Rixt produced a balanced and fluid test on the scopey Findsley to post a personal best.

“She was really confident, maybe a little bit too much, so I had to hold her back a little,” Rixt said. “We made up for some little mistakes we had yesterday. The pressure is high, but the Dutch team is very strong and we really want the chance to take gold. I think this is a good start.”

Britain’s gold medal challenge looks strong

With the team competition split over two days, and each team fielding three riders from different grades, the standings are still hazy at this stage. Great Britain is leading the pack of those who have had two riders post a score, after Lee Pearson topped the Grade IIs on a score of 77.636%. Team GB is in third overnight, behind Canada and Singapore, which have had all three of their team riders complete.

The US is second of those who have had two riders go (fourth overall), thanks to Grade I champion Roxanne Trunnell posting the day’s top score of 80.321%.

Four nations – Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Australia – have only had one rider come forwards so far, hence their positions at the bottom of the table. The Netherlands remain Britain’s biggest rival for gold, especially after Rixt’s super score.

Three riders carrying British hopes revealed for Tokyo Paralympic team competition

Lucy Elder — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 02:59:30 +0000

Tokyo gold medallist Sir Lee Pearson spearheads the experienced British trio of riders selected for the Paralympic team competition.

The change in format for this year’s Games means teams have shrunk from four to three and there is no drop score. It runs over two days (28 and 29 August) and the trio of riders from each nation that will compete for the team medals were announced after the individual contest.

Grade II rider Lee, who already held the record for the most Paralympic individual gold medals ahead of the Games before taking his tally to eight on Thursday (26 August), will be first to go for the team aboard his own 10-year-old Breezer.

He is joined by Tokyo grade III individual silver medal-winners Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, owned by Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and her parents Phil and Lorraine Baker.

Sophie Wells and her grade V individual silver medal-winning partner Don Cara M, owned by Roland Kinch, completes the team.

Britain has won dressage team gold at every Paralympics since the sport joined the Games in 1996. The side faces strong competition, in particular from the Dutch – gold medallists at the 2018 World Equestrian Games and the 2019 Europeans – and the US.

While the three British team riders have a wealth of past Paralympic experience to draw on, this is the first senior championship for all of their horses. But with a full-house of individual medals across the opening two days of competition, the side has shown they are not to be underestimated.

Britain’s fourth squad member Georgia Wilson, who won individual bronze on her Paralympic debut here earlier in the week with her own and Geoff and Julie Wilson’s Sakura, will be back in action on Monday to contest the freestyle medals. Sophie, Lee and Natasha have also all qualified for the freestyle.

The team test will be set to background music for the first time this year, but unlike the freestyle, riders must follow a set floorplan defined by their grade and there are no marks for artistic interpretation.

The choice of music will not be judged as it is there to “make the test more attractive to the audience and the media, and to allow the athlete to show some more personality”.

Tokyo Paralympic dressage: British team start times

Saturday (28 August)

Grade II: Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer) 5.32pm (9.32am BST)

Grade III: Natasha Baker (Keystone Dawn Chorus) 9.16pm (1.16pm BST)

Sunday (29 August)

Grade V: Sophie Wells (Don Cara M) 6.56pm (10.56am BST)

View the full list of teams and start times

British medal joy, a young star shines and gold for world number one: six of the best moments from Tokyo para dressage day two

Lucy Elder — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 16:28:10 +0000

Action continued apace in the Equestrian Park at the Tokyo Paralympics, with a gold medal-winning debut, the Brits continuing their run of blistering form, plus huge scores in the grade I. Find out what happened on day two of dressage at the Games...

The Brits’ run of fantastic form at the Tokyo Paralympics continued, with Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus’ grade III individual silver

Read why Tokyo took Natasha straight back to memories of London 2012

A 21-year-old Paralympic first-timer thew down a massive score to take home gold on his Games debut aboard his sassy mare

Find out more about how the Danish rider and his relationship with his special horse

World number one US grade I rider Roxanne Trunnell posted the highest score of the Games so far to bag individual gold

Hear what Roxanne had to say about dealing with pressure coming into the Games

H&H’s horse of the day is the wonderful Dr Doolitte, who is enjoying his competition swansong in Tokyo

Read more about this wonderful horse and his achievements over the years

Natasha Baker on her medal-winning ride at Tokyo Paralympics: ‘I just wanted to give her as much confidence as I could’

Lucy Elder — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 15:17:24 +0000

Natasha Baker completed Britain’s full house of medals from the individual paralympics dressage competitions at the Tokyo Games, dancing to silver with the rising star Keystone Dawn Chorus in the grade III class.

Natasha’s partnership with the “generous, kind and loving” 10-year-old Dimaggio mare, known to her friends as Lottie, shone through and the pair were rewarded with a score of 76.32% to grasp individual silver.

It is a sign of the bond that these two have formed in a short space of time that the mare had the confidence to show what she is capable of. Natasha took over the reins a little over two years ago, with the intention of aiming her at these Games. Then Covid hit and with it went their competition plans.

But what the mare lacks in competition experience, she makes up for in heart and the time the pair has had together has given a strength to their partnership that was evident in their performance under the Tokyo spotlights.

“I think if we were here 12 months ago, I don’t think I would have got 76%,” said Natasha, who co-owns the mare with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt and her parents Lorraine and Phil Baker.

“We’ve really become established. It’s been since March this year, when we were able to start competing again – that’s when things have just got better and better. Each time out, I’ve just improved that a little bit more.

“I guess this was probably a back-step from where we were at Hartpury, but that’s fine. You know it’s our first competition together like this. So that means next year I can go into the World Championships with more confidence and really fight for that gold medal. Fighting for the gold medal was never a thing coming here – it was just if I win a medal, then awesome.

“I just want to give her a really positive experience.”

The 31-year-old came into these Games as a five-time Paralympic gold medallist and defending champion from both London 2012 and Rio 2016, aboard the late Cabral (“JP”). While Tokyo is Natasha’s third Paralympics, she likened the experience of Tokyo to being back in London.

“When I went into London, I was completely unknown and there was no expectation, no pressure,” she explained.

“And although I’ve won five Paralympic gold medals, this is a new horse you can’t carry that forward. I did carry that forward in Rio and I did have that expectation and that pressure. Luckily, JP was incredible and really delivered. But this time it was like starting afresh. Lottie has been a blank canvas, I’ve been able to build her from the beginning, and so it’s been actually really lovely.

“I think all of us [on the British squad] have said the same – we’ve all come here with young, inexperienced horses, just to give them a nice confidence building time. Our main aim is Paris and it always has been with these horses that are here. So the fact that the guys did, so incredibly well yesterday – I was just so proud of everything that they did yesterday – was amazing.

“We can all take that home and build on that and then come out in Paris and be all guns blazing ready to pick up those gold medals.”

Natasha pointed out the hot favourites she was up against all have world and European Championship experience under their belts, whereas for Lottie, this was an entirely new ask.

“You know they’ve been in these atmospheres, they travelled – she went on hunger strike when she was travelling over here so it’s just everything has been new,” she said. “I’m so proud that we were able to go in there and deliver that kind of performance.

“She had a little spook at the commentator speaker when I went past on the way in, and so I was like, ‘Oh, she doesn’t normally do that!’ But you know, I just tried to give her as much confidence in the arena as I could.

“I don’t think it was the best test we’ve done this year. But the most important thing was that she went in there, she let me ride her, and I gave her a nice confidence-giving round.

“It’s the first time she’s been out the UK, it’s the by far the biggest arena she’s ever been in, and I’m just proud of how she’s dealt with it. She’s just been amazing.”

‘She’d go through fire for me’: Grade III gold goes to Denmark with Britain’s Natasha Baker scooping silver in Tokyo

Polly Bryan — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 13:17:39 +0000

The individual section of the Paralympic dressage at the Tokyo Games has concluded with Danish rider Tobias Thorning Jorgensen claiming grade III gold ahead of Britain’s Natasha Baker in silver. The bronze medal went the Netherlands’ way, with early leader Rixt van der Horst holding on to a podium place.

Tobias had strong scores to beat, with Rixt having posted 75.76% with Findsley and Natasha going into the lead from midfield with 76.26% on Keystone Dawn Chorus. But he and the lovely grey mare Jolene Hill are not the reigning European champions for nothing, and with another two years under their belts to get to know one another, they produced a stunning performance here to clock up a huge 78.97% and take over the lead.

Their score proved untouchable, and Tobias has been crowned grade III individual Paralympic dressage champion on his Games debut. Paralympics are in Tobias’s blood, however, with his mother Line having competed at the London Paralympics.

“I was so focused all the ride and then the last turn, I just had this feeling that it was good. I was so happy, so I just smiled,” said a very chuffed Tobias, explaining that he knew he had very stiff competition. “I knew that Rixt and Natasha would always come in to take the medals. I knew they would be my biggest opponents, but that if I did my best I could take the gold. I had to do my best, because if I didn’t, they would both be there.”

Paralympic dressage grade III gold medallist Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The highlights of Tobias’ test included the Blue Hors Schufro Hit mare’s floaty medium trot, and wonderful lengthened walk, which earned several nines, and the very fluent leg yields.

Tobias said that the extra year has proved useful, as they have been able to “take those steps back [in training] and then take 10 forward”.

Jolene Hill is a mare with attitude, though, according to her rider.

“She’s a real mare and if I don’t ask her first, she gives me the finger and says, ‘You can do something else’,” laughed Tobias. “But if I ask her correctly she’ll be there and will go through fire for me.”

Natasha’s silver means that every one of the four British riders in Tokyo has won an individual medal, with Lee Pearson taking grade II gold, and Georgia Wilson claiming bronze in the same grade, and Sophie Wells winning grade V silver.

Keep up with all the Paralympic dressage results.

Britain’s Natasha Baker takes over provisional gold medal position at Tokyo Paralympics

Polly Bryan — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 11:55:05 +0000

Britain’s Natasha Baker has shot into the lead with a super test in the grade III individual Paralympic dressage at the Tokyo Games.

Natasha and the 10-year-old Dimaggio mare Keystone Dawn Chorus, who is owned by Joanna Jenson, Christian Landolt and the Baker family, are competing at their first championship as a combination, but produced an assured, and very harmonious performance to earn 76.32% – enough to put her ahead of the Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Findsley.

Natasha’s test was mistake-free and gorgeously fluent, with smooth transitions, expressive medium trot and lots of suppleness shown by this lovely mare, who is known as Lottie at home, and was purchased from Beth Bainbridge in 2019 for Natasha to aim at the Tokyo Paralympic dressage. The pair gelled fast, and here they scored highly across the board, with at least one eight for almost every movement.

“I’m so, so happy with Lottie; she was amazing out there and did me proud,” said Natasha. “I don’t think it was the best test we’ve done this year. But the most important thing was she went in there and she let me ride her, and I gave her a nice, confidence-giving round.”

There was some concern shortly after Lottie’s arrival in Tokyo, with Natasha explaining that the mare didn’t eat during her journey to the Games, so the team was keeping a close eye on her. Thankfully her appetite quickly returned and the pair have been thriving in the Tokyo heat.

However, there is still some stiff competition to come in this very competitive grade III class, with the likes of Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Jorgensen, Germany’s Steffen Zeibig and the USA’s Rebecca Hart yet to come.

Natasha will be hoping to hold on to a podium place, and add another medal to those won yesterday by the other members of the British squad.

Tokyo Paralympic dressage start times: Britain’s Natasha Baker to start her campaign – ‘I’m super excited’

Lucy Elder — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 03:31:55 +0000

Start times for the second day of Paralympic dressage competition at the Tokyo Games have been revealed, with Britain’s Natasha Baker starting her campaign on what promises to be an action-packed day.

Grade I and grade III combinations will be gunning for individual medals at the Equestrian Park in Baji Koen today (Friday, 27 August).

British riders’ times: day two (Friday, 27 August)

Grade III: Natasha Baker (Keystone Dawn Chorus), 8.36pm (12.36pm BST)

Tokyo Paralympic dressage start times: who to look out for on day one

Grade I: world number one and multiple record-breakers Roxanne Trunnell (Dolton), 4.24pm (8.24am BST)
Grade I: Ireland’s Michael Murphy (Cleverboy) is likely to set a strong challenge, based on recent results, 4.40pm (8.40 BST)
Grade I: Norway’s Jens Lasse Dokkan (Aladdin), the only competitor to have ridden at every Paralympic Games since dressage joined the programme in 1996, 5.14pm (9.40 BST)
Grade III: Rixt van der Host (Findsley), from the Netherlands, won triple gold at the 2018 World Equestrian Games followed by double silver and team gold at the 2019 Europeans, 7.30pm (11.30am BST)
Grade III: Denmark’s double European gold medal-winner Tobias Thorning Jorgensen (Jolene Hill), 8.52pm (12.52pm BST)
Grade III: Japan’s Sho Inaba (Exclusive) are in action for the home side, 9.34pm (1.34pm)

Natasha Baker: ‘I’m going to come out and do my best’

London 2012 and Rio 2016 defending champion Natasha Baker is the sole British rider in action today, following a phenomenal start from the British squad yesterday with all three riders taking home a medal.

This is Natasha’s third Paralympic Games and the first for her ride Keystone Dawn Chorus (“Lottie”), who she co-owns with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt and her parents Lorraine and Phil Baker.

Natasha and the 10-year-old Dimaggio mare head to Tokyo on the back of a string of strong international results. These include personal bests in all three tests on their last outing ahead of the Games at Hartpury CPEDI, where they wowed the judges to score 76.41% in the individual test.

“I’m super excited, I had a really good arena familiarisation [on Wednesday] and we’ve taken it really slow, and just gradually built on it day by day,” said Natasha. “I’m just going to come out and do my best.”

Natasha added that the mare didn’t eat during her journey to the Games, so the team has been keeping a close eye on her. Thankfully her appetite quickly returned and the pair are thriving in the Tokyo heat.

“She’s completely fine and she’s actually been the coolest horse on the team,” said Natasha, referring to the frequent temperature checks all horses are having while out here.

“She’s dealing with the heat really, really well, and she’s fit. Everything’s kind of gone according to plan so far, touching wood. Lottie is good and now she’s eating again, which is fab.

“I love [the heat]. I haven’t had to do as much warming up [of my own body], because I’m already warm. I don’t do well with cold weather, but this is like my perfect temperature. My body is just naturally warmed up as soon as I get in the saddle, so I can crack straight on.

“I’m having daily physio so that’s keeping me nice and loose – we’re doing our stretchy sessions in the morning at the hotel. I’m absolutely loving it.”

Natasha reflected on Britain’s stellar opening day, with all three of her ParalympicGB squadmates bagging a medal. Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer claimed individual grade II gold, with Paralympic debutantes Georgia Wilson and Sakura scooping bronze. Sophie Wells completed Britain’s day one hat-trick with individual grade V silver aboard Don Cara M (“Donnie”).

“I think it’s been so different coming here having no pressure and expectation,” said Natasha, adding Britain’s results last night were “incredible”.

“None of our horses have done a championship – my horse and Donnie, have never been out of the country before – so we’re just proud that they’ve taken everything in their stride.

“I think we’ve always thought coming into this that our main goal is Paris 2024, because the horses will be more experienced by then, they will be older, we’ll have had more time with them.

“They’ve been incredible. So we’re just going in there to do our best and to hope for great experiences and confidence for the horses. That is every single one of our goals in that arena, and whatever the outcome is, then great. Obviously [last night] we had an amazing outcome. It’s exciting for three years time, isn’t it!”

Here come the Brits: Paralympic dressage riders take a spin in stunning main arena amid final preparations for thrilling Tokyo showdown

Lucy Elder — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 14:14:39 +0000

Britain’s Paralympic dressage squad have undertaken their final pre-competition familiarisation session in Tokyo’s spectacular main arena, as the final countdown to the equestrian competition begins in earnest.

Horses and riders have been able to spend some time in the main arena before tonight (Wednesday, 25 August), but this was the last time they were allowed to ride in there ahead of the competition.

A total of 77 combinations are on the Tokyo Paralympic dressage start list. Action in the Equestrian Park at Baji Koen starts with the individual medal competition, which runs over two days (Thursday, 26 August and Friday, 27 August).

Three members of the British squad will start their Tokyo campaigns tomorrow. These are: Georgia Wilson (Sakura), Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer) and Sophie Wells (Don Cara M), while Natasha Baker (Keystone Dawn Chorus) will get underway on Friday.

Paralympic dressage horses in Tokyo: the British squad

Georgia Wilson and Sakura, who she co-owns with Geoff and Julie Wilson

Georgia Wilson (GBR) & Sakura - Arena Familliarisation - Equestrian Park, Setagaya City, Tokyo, Japan - 25 August 2021 (Image credit: JON STROUD MEDIA)

Georgia and “Sukie” will be the first of the Brits into the main arena, in the grade II contest at 4.16pm (8.16am BST) tomorrow (Thursday)

Sophie Wells aboard Don Cara M, owned by Roland Kinch

Sophie Wells (GBR) & Don Cara M - Arena Familliarisation - Equestrian Park, Setagaya City, Tokyo, Japan - 25 August 2021 (Image credit: Jon Stroud)

Sophie and “Don” will the last of the British trio to compete on the opening day, entering the arena at 10.20pm (2.20pm BST)

Sir Lee Pearson and Breezer

Lee Pearson (GBR) & Breezer - Arena Familliarisation - Equestrian Park, Setagaya City, Tokyo, Japan - 25 August 2021 (Image credit: Jon Stroud)

The pair start their grade II individual test at 5.20pm (9.20am BST) on Thursday

Natasha Baker and Keystone Dawn Chorus, who she co-owns with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, and her parents Phil and Lorraine Baker

Natasha Baker (GBR) & Keystone Dawn Chorus - Arena Familliarisation - Equestrian Park, Setagaya City, Tokyo, Japan - 25 August 2021 (Image credit: JON STROUD MEDIA)

Natasha and “Lottie” will be the sole British combination to compete on Friday, going for glory in the grade III individual competition

All images courtesy of British Equestrian/Jon Stroud Media

Tokyo Paralympics trot-up: high spirits and nervous waits at first horse inspection

Lucy Elder — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 04:09:15 +0000

All four British horses have made it safely through the first Tokyo Paralympics trot-up today (25 August) ahead of the opening day of para dressage tomorrow, while one combination on the 77-strong entries list faces an anxious overnight wait.

Two horses were sent to the holding box – Laurentio II, the ride of Russian Paralympic Committee’s Vladislay Kolosov was passed on re-inspection. Sterngreifer, the ride of Czech Republic individual competitor Anastasia Vistalova, was sent to the holding box, before being re-presented. But the ground jury has asked to see the 15-year-old son of Souvenir again tomorrow morning (Thursday, 26 August).

The British side sailed through without a hitch. Sir Lee Pearson’s elegant 10-year-old homebred Breezer (Bacardi x Metall), presented by Jane Leese, was the first to come forward from the squad, looking relaxed and happy

Next came Georgia Wilson’s ride Sakura, who fittingly shares her name with the famous Japanese cherry blossom. Nina Venables presented the seven-year-old chestnut mare, owned by Georgia and parents Geoff and Julie Wilson, who was accepted with a nod.

Sakura was followed by Natasha Baker’s ride Keystone Dawn Chorus, owned by Joanna Jensen and Christian Landlolt along with Natasha and her parents, Phil and Lorraine Baker. Claire Gallimore presented the 10-year-old Dimaggio mare, who gleamed in the morning sun in Tokyo’s Equestrian Park at Baji Koen.

Last to come forward was Don Cara M, owned by Roland Kinch and ridden by Sophie Wells. The 12-year-old Don Jovi gelding appeared delighted to be out, with one excitable moment as he trotted back towards the ground jury, before going to join his teammates.

The quartet of immaculately turned-out Irish horses were all also accepted. Michael Murphy’s ride Cleverboy, who he co-owns with Bronte Watson, Elder Klatzko and Sue and John Murphy, opened proceedings for the squad and was given the wave of approval.

There was a slight nervous moment for the Irish side as the ground jury asked to see both Serafina T, the ride of Kate Kerr-Horan, and Werona, ridden by Rosemary Jane Gaffney, trot again. But connections didn’t have long to wait before heaving a sigh of relief as both were accepted.

Tamsin Addison’s own Fahrenheit was the final Irish horse to come forward, and passed without incident.

US world number one Roxanne Trunnell’s record-breaking equine partner Dolton was in a spicy mood, on his toes with his tail in the air. The nine-year-old gelding was one of several feeling the excitement of the occasion that were asked to be trotted up again, before being waved through.

Squads opted for a mix of sporty and more formal outfits. The Brits went for tracksuits and hard hats, for those leading up. The Danes looked particularly smart in white dresses and red blazers, or a full red outfit. While Ireland’s equine turn-out was particularly eye-catching, with Werona sporting a shamrock quartermark and Serafina T donning some subtle diamante on her bridle number.

British Paralympic dressage team for Tokyo Games revealed

Polly Bryan — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 13:10:33 +0000

The British Paralympic dressage team for next month’s Tokyo Games has been announced.

Four combinations have been selected, with three to compete as the British team and one to ride as an individual, which will be decided after arrival in Tokyo. The four selected pairs are:

Sophie Wells with Charlotte Hogg’s 14-year-old gelding C Fatal Attraction (grade V)
Natasha Baker with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, Phil Baker and her own 10-year-old mare Keystone Dawn Chorus (grade III)
Sir Lee Pearson with his own nine-year-old gelding Breezer (grade II)
Sophie Christiansen with her own 13-year-old gelding Innuendo III (grade I)

Liz Walsh and Jade Lockwood will act as travelling grooms for the horses in Tokyo.

The Paralympic dressage competitions are being held 26-30 August 2021 at the equestrian park in Tokyo’s Heritage Zone. The team medals will be decided on 29 August, and the individual medals in each of the five grades will be presented on 26, 27 and 30 August.

Article continues below…

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Britain will head to Tokyo as defending Paralympic champions, with all four riders on the 2021 British Paralympic dressage team having competed for Britain at Rio in 2016, and also at London in 2012.

Britain has won gold at every Paralympics since para dressage was introduced to the Games at Atlanta in 1996, but the team was relegated to the silver medal position at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 and the European Championships in 2019. The Netherlands won the gold medal on both these occasions.

Three of the four team horses will be making their debut championship appearances: Natasha’s Keystone Dawn Chorus, Lee’s Breezer and Sophie Christiansen’s Innuendo. This will be a fifth championship appearance for Sophie Wells’ ride, the 14-year-old C Fatal Attraction, who won double individual gold at WEG in 2018, but it will be his first Paralympic Games.

Lee is the most experienced Paralympian of the quartet – Tokyo will be his sixth Games. This will be the fifth Games for Sophie Christiansen, and the third Games for both Natasha and Sophie Wells.

What is dressage at the Paralympics?

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Britain’s nominated dressage entries for Tokyo Paralympics announced

Polly Bryan — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 12:33:55 +0000

The British Paralympic dressage entries have been revealed, with 12 combinations making the list.

British Equestrian and the British Dressage selectors have confirmed that the following pairs will be submitted to the FEI as Britain’s nominated entries for the Tokyo Paralympics, which take place from 24 August to 5 September 2021. From this list, the selected squad of four combinations who will travel to Tokyo, plus reserves, will be announced on 16 July.

Grade I

Sophie Christiansen with her own nine-year-old mare Die Furstin and 13-year-old gelding Innuendo III

Grade II

Sir Lee Pearson with his own nine-year-old gelding Breezer
Georgia Wilson with Geoff and Julie Wilson’s and her own 12-year-old mare Midnight and seven-year-old mare Sakura

Grade III

Natasha Baker with Joanna Jensen, Christian Landolt, P. Baker’s and her own 10-year-old mare Keystone Dawn Chorus
Erin Orford with the Lady Joseph Trust’s seven-year-old gelding LJT Diamond Crusador

Grade IV

Nicky Greenhill with Gary Greenhill’s and her own 12-year-old mare Betty Boo

Grade V

Charlotte Cundall with the Lady Joseph Trust’s 12-year-old gelding LJT Simply Red
Sophie Wells with Charlotte Hogg’s 14-year-old gelding C Fatal Attraction, Roland Kinch’s 12-year-old gelding Don Cara M and Charlotte Hogg’s seven-year-old gelding Classic Jillz Geuzenhof

The grooms’ names for each of the British Paralympic dressage entries have not yet been confirmed.

Continues below…

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Nine named as Britain’s nominated dressage entries for Tokyo Olympics

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

Olympic dressage teams: who’s heading to Tokyo?

(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)

British Equestrian added “selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to 5 July 2021.”

The British Olympic dressage entries were announced earlier this week.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

Keystone Dawn Chorus: the ‘practically perfect’ mare who is a Tokyo medal hope H&H Plus

Polly Bryan — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 14:00:46 +0000

This “practically perfect” mare could become one of Britain’s biggest medal hopes at this year’s Tokyo Paralympics, finds Polly Bryan

Need to know

Keystone Dawn Chorus

Age: 10

Breeding: Dimaggio x Escudo

Studbook: British Hanoverian

Breeder: Suzanne Lavandera

Rider: Natasha Baker

Owner: Natasha Baker, Philip Baker, Christian Landolt, Joanna Jensen

Greatest achievements: novice silver reserve champion at National Dressage Championships 2019; triple gr III victory at Keysoe CPEDI3* 2019; gr III champion at Para Winter Championships 2020; triple gr III victory at Keysoe CPEDI3* 2020.

Rider Natasha Baker

“‘LOTTIE’ is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is practically perfect in every way. She is very sweet, both to ride and in the stable. She is food-obsessed and will do anything for the munchies, and she has such a kind, generous personality – she loves to work and is willing. She will go into any arena or atmosphere and she wants to perform and work with me.

“I don’t have the use of my legs when I ride, but Lottie is a forward-thinking horse and she adapted to my riding quickly. It was helpful that in the weeks before I first went to see Lottie, in 2019, her former owner Beth Bainbridge tried to use her voice as much as she could while riding her, and her legs as little as possible. It helped make it an easy transition for Lottie.

“We have only been able to do a handful of shows together, so from a competition perspective I am still getting to know her. But achieving as much as we have so far, especially in able-bodied dressage, has been beyond my expectations. There is a lot of pressure on me in para dressage, which is why we initially went down the able-bodied route in 2019. It was fun and Lottie loves to go into a long arena and to canter, which we don’t do in my para grade.

Trainer Lisa Hopkins

“NATASHA and Lottie are such a good match. Lottie has a good work ethic and wants to help Natasha. She also has a big engine and is naturally self-propelled and powerful, but kind with it. It feels as though she has found her role in life as a para horse.

“Lottie’s strengths are all the things that are important in para dressage. She is naturally uphill and in front of the leg with good rhythm. I find her lovely to ride as well, and I work on keeping her responsive for Natasha.

“The movements in Natasha’s grade [grade III] are equivalent to novice/elementary but the frame and harmony are so important, and the judges are quite demanding. The precision and attention to detail that is required to do well in para dressage pays off in able-bodied dressage, too. The public don’t often get the chance to see our top paras in action, and I think many people don’t appreciate how good they actually are.

“Lottie’s good temperament means I don’t feel nervous watching Natasha on her, and it makes us more relaxed about travelling with her, even without much mileage. She isn’t a horse who needs to have seen everything; she processes things well and never says no.”

Judge Sarah Leitch

“THIS is a super mare, who has the ability to be world-class. Natasha clearly loves her and they have developed a good partnership in quite a short space of time. Para riders cannot ride with strength, so instead they have to be able to ride with balance and harmony in order to create a true relationship with their horses.

“Natasha is a real professional who is good at taking marks off judges because she is so accurate. She is a great athlete, too.

She’s so determined to do as well as she can, and with this mare she will hopefully achieve great things.

“Natasha and Lottie have now had a winter of training on top of their results at Keysoe CPEDI last autumn, where I judged them, and that will put them in a good place ahead of selection for the Tokyo Paralympics.”

This feature is also available to read in this Thursday’s H&H magazine (22 April, 2021)

Life lessons: Natasha Baker — ‘Lots of riders put so much pressure on themselves and forget why they do it’ H&H Plus

Polly Bryan — Sun, 03 Jan 2021 15:00:16 +0000

The Paralympic gold medallist on keeping an open mind, the value of TRT training and which grand prix horse would be perfect for para dressage.

Grade III rider Natasha has won five Paralympic gold medals, as well as double silver at the 2018 World Championships. She is currently aiming for the Tokyo Paralympics with Keystone Dawn Chorus, and is also an FEI dressage commentator.

Before going into the arena, I remind myself that this is fun, and I do this sport because I enjoy it. Lots of riders put so much pressure on themselves and forget why they do it.

Thinking this way before going in also helps me breathe, and of course our horses pick up on everything that we as riders are feeling. If we’re nervous and tense, our horses will recognise this, and they will act differently, too. It’s really important to know your horse and to be able to adapt your riding and your routine to how they might be feeling on a particular day.

The Baker family motto is “everything happens for a reason”, and I try not to have any regrets, because everything that has happened to me has made me the person I am today. I don’t tend to regret making mistakes, because I have learned from them. Another thing my parents taught me is that you never know when the next door is going to open and where it will take you.

Now, I try never to say no to opportunities. Dressage commentating was never on my radar, but it’s something I threw myself into when the opportunity arose and now I really love it.

My sporting icons

My biggest inspiration while I was growing up was always Lee Pearson – he was the person who got me into para dressage.

I have plenty more icons in the sport – I love German grand prix rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl; she is so elegant and has such amazing relationships with all her horses. I also really admire Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour for the same reasons.

There are plenty of horses out there that I would love to ride, but I have always thought that Benjamin Werndl’s grand prix ride Daily Mirror would make a fabulous para horse. He has a seriously good walk, like a panther, and a super trot.

The biggest change I have made to my own routine over the years is introducing Tristan Tucker’s TRT method into my training, and incorporating more groundwork through my work with Claire Gallimore.

My Paralympic gold medal-winning horse Cabral – known as JP – was incredibly sensitive, and I wish I had had these tools when I had him, as it would probably have made life easier. TRT is all about focusing on getting the horse more confident, and arming myself with techniques to help deal with tricky or spooky situations before they arise.

My current top horse, Keystone Dawn Chorus (pictured), is fairly chilled, but anything can happen, as I learned with Mount St John Diva Dannebrog at the World Equestrian Games in 2018. Diva was also pretty chilled, and we won two silver medals there, but lots of little things happened during the final freestyle day which mounted up and I ended up having a fall. If I had had the tools to help settle her before going into the arena that might not have happened.

One technique I use a lot nowadays is called turning of the hindleg, where you ask the hindleg to step under and across and the horse learns that this means relax and soften. You can use it outside the ring before going in, or even for a step in each corner once you’re in the arena.

I would use TRT with all my horses now – it has opened my mind so much. The more knowledge we can have as riders the better.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 24 December 2020

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(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)