Photo credit: British Equestrian / Jon Stroud Media
“Sometimes your horse might take a disliking to a flowerpot and you have to deal with those situations,” reveals six-time Paralympic dressage champion Natasha Baker.
Forging a working relationship with humans can be challenging, but now imagine the challenge posed by building a partnership with a horse you need to convince to dance.
Each sport possesses unique traits that create the jeopardy and intrigue which draws in fans from across the globe, but there is something truly unique about the world of dressage.
Baker, who is one of Britain’s most successful and recognisable Paralympic equestrian athletes, won five golds across London 2012 and Rio 2016 on Cabral, before he passed away in 2019.
The 32-year-old teamed-up with her current ride Keystone Dawn Chorus (or ‘Lottie’ to friends) ahead of Tokyo 2020 and while her previous successes suggested she would be a strong medal contender, the Briton herself knew there are no guarantees in her sport.
“It is like starting all over again, but each horse relationship is completely different to the last one,” reveals Baker, who would go on to win team gold and two individual silvers.
“Think about humans, we can wake up one day and feel 10/10, amazing and on top form, but another you get out and have a headache or not feel your best and horses are exactly the same.
“You also have to learn all their quirks, they’re not machines, they have a personality and so you need to get to know them.
“My previous horse (Cabral) I did London and Rio with was quite a nervous and sensitive horse, whereas the one I’m on now (Lottie) is a bit braver, so it’s an interesting and unusual relationship but that’s what I love about the sport.”
The push for Paris 2024 begins now
The year following an Olympics or Paralympics usually presents a rare opportunity for a little down-time before a gentle reintroduction back to competition and steady build towards the next Games – but the pandemic ripped up the rule book.
Postponing Tokyo 2020 by 12 months means there is now less than two years until Paris 2024 and for Para dressage teams their first – and main chance – to qualify for next Games comes at the FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark, this week.
“Our team has to be in the top seven to qualify a team for Paris, so yeah fingers-crossed we can pull it out of the bag,” she says with a smile.
“We’ve won every team World Championships apart from the last one where the Dutch took it from us by about a mark, so we’ll be doing our best to get that team gold back.
“Most of the team are on relatively new horses so we’re just heading out to do our best.”
Despite what their success in Tokyo may suggest the FEI World Championships is only the second major outing for Baker and Lottie and their “still very new” relationship.
“Tokyo was behind closed doors, so there was no audience whereas at these Worlds there will definitely be a bigger atmosphere and more going on so I’m still learning about her.
“This event is about seeing how she deals with it and giving her the confidence boost as the next really big one will be Paris and I want her to be at her absolute best for that.”
LONDON 2012 LEGACY
Paris 2024 will be the closest to a ‘home Games’ British athlete experience for at least another decade and as such that has left many considering the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, which just passed a 10-year anniversary.
The London Paralympics have often been described as a ‘transformative’ or ‘game-changing’ event for the Paralympic movement, but recent studies suggest physical activity among those with impairments has actually declined in the last 10 years.
“London 2012 was the first time the Paralympics was seen on a much more even ground to the Olympics and that was just incredible because we had sold out stadiums and the buzz around the Paralympics was just amazing,” she recalls.
“Then going over to Rio (2016) the hype was big, but not quite as big and uur sport really didn’t get a lot of TV time at all and that was really, really disappointing.
“Then wider I think also the perception round disability – I would have liked to see the momentum carry on, more disability sport on TV, in magazines and presenting on TV.
“We speak a lot about ableism and it’s something that disabled people face every day and I think during London 2012 because disability was at the forefront of everyone’s minds, that didn’t seem to be as much of an issue.
“Now it’s as big of a challenge as ever and there are still places that people with disabilities can’t access and you think 10 years down the line things should be better.”
Baker, who has backed the International Paralympic Committee (IPC)’s #WeAreThe15 campaign, continues; “there needs to be more global awareness and visibility in ‘normal’ everyday life.
“15% of the world’s population have disabilities, but if you look in general media that’s not replicated, it’s hidden, so we need that representation in all aspects of life otherwise it’s not normal.”
FRESH FOR THE FUTURE
The three-time Paralympian believes the situation is salvageable and is optimistic about the future, particularly her own heading towards the next Games after getting married earlier this year.
“It’s been a bit crazy,” she admits. “Our wedding in March and then the honeymoon so I’ve kind of had my personal life take over in 2022 which has been really, really lovely.
“It’s a much shorter season for me riding wise, so I wasn’t sure if I’d still be in contention for a place in the Worlds so to be on the team again is such a huge honour.
“With Tokyo being such a different Games (due to the pandemic and no fans), I think it’s going to make Paris even more exciting – with all of the crowds, all my friends and family who missed out on seeing me.
“I think it’s going to be amazing, a real party vibe and something to really look forward to. I just need to qualify and get there now!”