Paralympian Natasha Baker, who trains in Gerrards Cross, won bronze for Team GB in the Paraequestrian Individual Grade III event on Tuesday, September 3.
Together with her horse Dawn Chorus, she was awarded a score of 73.167 per cent, taking over from Italy’s Francesca Salvade who missed out on a medal with 71.566 per cent.
Rixt van der Horst, from the Netherlands, came second with 76.433 per cent, with US star Rebecca Hart taking gold with 77.900 per cent.
Bronze means Baker now has all medal colours, having previously won six golds and two silvers.
Baker contracted an inflammation in her spine at 14 months old that affected her nerve endings. She was left with weakness and no feeling in her legs.
Physiotherapists suggested horse riding could help strengthen her muscles, so Baker began training at Riding for the Disabled Association Incorporating Carriage Driving.
With no movement in her legs, Baker trains her horses to respond to her voice and the movement she makes in the saddle.
Baker has been competing with Dawn Chorus for years and shared an insight into their friendship: “We’ve been together for five years nearly, but I had a baby so I’ve missed 20 months of the three years between Tokyo and now.
“But she was amazing. She’s just incredible. I call her my Mary Poppins as she’s practically perfect in every way!”
Meanwhile, Baker joined many GB Paralympic athletes who are making equals signs with their arms at Paris to show support for equal access to school sport and PE for disabled children in the UK, as 75 per cent of disabled children say they don’t take part in regular sport or PE in schools.
In a post on Instagram, Baker said: “Actually lost for words. A huge thank you to the entire @equestrianteamgbr team, we couldn’t do it without every single one of you and to our teams at home!”
Photo: Natasha Barker
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