British Paralympian Natasha Baker’s a number of medal-winning journey Keystone Daybreak Refrain has been offered to affix younger Irish para rider Katie Reilly.
The 13-year-old Dimaggio mare and Natasha have completed on the rostrum in any respect three senior championships they’ve contested, together with the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Video games.
Natasha most not too long ago partnered Keystone Daybreak Refrain, often known as “Lottie”, to Grade III particular person and freestyle bronze in Paris – simply 4 months after Natasha returned to competitors following the beginning of her son, Joshua, final yr.
The pair additionally helped Britain to Paralympic group gold in Tokyo, the place they received particular person and freestyle silver medals, and introduced dwelling particular person silver and freestyle bronze from the 2022 World Championships in Herning.
Natasha shared the information right now (15 November) that Lottie has “discovered an exquisite new dwelling and rider”.
“Lottie and I’ve had an unbelievable journey collectively, two Paralympic Video games, a World Championships, many medals plus she’s been there via my largest life experiences and is the most effective household pony,” stated Natasha.
“She has the kindest coronary heart and I’m for ever grateful for her giving me completely the whole lot previously 5 years.
“She is completely one in a trillion and I couldn’t be happier to help Lottie in her new partnership that holds a lot promise and potential.”
Katie, 17, a Grade III rider who represented Eire on the 2023 Europeans, stated that the previous few weeks “have been simply unbelievable”, thanking each Natasha and Lottie’s different connections for trusting her “along with your very treasured lady”.
“I hope I could make you all happy with us each,” she stated. “To have Lottie becoming a member of our group is vastly thrilling and only a actually superb privilege to not solely personal however to journey this very treasured lady.
“She has already made buddies with our retired RDA [Riding for the Disabled Association] boy Pip, who shall be her new discipline buddy. And has met the massive man Ruddy.
“Now to take our time, construct our partnership collectively and see what the following few years deliver us.”
Natasha added that she is going to begin looking for a Paralympic prospect for LA 2028 “when the timing is true”.
“I’m excited for the following chapter and new beginnings for all of us,” she stated.
She thanked co-owners Joanna Jensen, her dad and mom and Christian Landolt for supporting her and Lottie “although probably the most fantastic journey”. Natasha additionally thanked her trainers, Lisa Hopkins and Claire Gallimore, and Beth Bainbridge, who’s the rationale Natasha and Lottie discovered one another.
Beth, Lottie’s earlier proprietor, noticed a Fb publish by Natasha and referred to as her to say she thought she had simply the horse. She was proper.
“Lottie is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is virtually good in each approach,” Natasha instructed H&H forward of Tokyo.
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Natasha Baker driving Keystone Daybreak Refrain on the 2022 World Championships in Herning.
Credit score: FEI/Richard Juilliart
Britain’s Natasha Baker with Keystone Daybreak Refrain
Natasha Baker and Daybreak Refrain cope with disagreeable climate circumstances on their technique to profitable bronze within the grade III particular person competitors.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow
Credit score: Future
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H&H senior information author
Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound group in 2015, Lucy has reported from main international sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call a couple of. She has lined present affairs and sports activities information throughout the complete spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, business information and courtroom instances.
