Paralympic champion Natasha Baker has reached the very top of her sport has taken a total of five gold medals at the last two Games in London and Rio de Janeiro.

But the 28-year-old Briton, made an MBE in 2013, has never forgotten her roots, and maintains a passionate belief in the powerful role that horses can play in shaping young people’s lives.

In the latest in our Equestrian World series, Natasha visited Penniwells Riding School for the Disabled in London to meet the 13 horses and army of volunteers who are helping to bring joy to 150 students…

 

It’s really important to have schools like Penniwells. It just gives that freedom to disabled children to be able to get out there and experience new things, develop as human beings and learn new skills.”

While an enjoyable hobby in itself, riding also develops students’ balance, coordination and concentration. The physical motion of the horses relaxes children’s muscles and strengthens their core, while the bonds that they form with their ponies can be incredibly therapeutic.

One of the young students at Penniwells is Reuben, who first visited as a six-year-old. He explains how the riding centre has helped him to overcome the challenges presented by suffering with cerebral palsy.

“I like to think that like I am achieving things and it makes me think about how I’m learning in every single lesson and how I’ve progressed.”

Natasha has reached the top of the world in the last decade, and hopes that her story can act as an inspiration for other young people.

“Riding brought me a sense of freedom,” she says. “It enabled me to get on a horse and to be able to do things that able-bodied people could do.

“It’s really important to come here and meet the children, show them my medals and just show them actually that I did it and they can achieve the same.”