Laura Scott has been one of many standout para dressage riders this season, constructing momentum eight years on from a life-changing accident which left her with a damaged neck and spinal harm at C4/5.
A former point-to-point rider, Laura’s world modified right away.
“I couldn’t really feel or transfer something from my neck down,” she remembers. Two months mendacity flat within the hospital adopted, earlier than an intense interval of rehabilitation. “After loads of physio, I walked out of the hospital, which felt large.”
Her restoration continued at Oaksey Home with the Injured Jockeys Fund – assist she nonetheless attracts on right this moment. However it was 4 weeks after leaving the hospital that Laura decided that might form what adopted.
“I used to be struggling mentally with all the things that got here with the harm,” she says. “I knew I needed to get again on a horse — though I didn’t understand how I used to be going to get on or off.”
With a trusted horse and a stack of straw bales, she climbed again into the saddle. “It was such a aid,” she says. “I knew I’d discovered one thing ‘regular’ once more.”
That second marked the start of a brand new chapter — one which has gathered momentum in 2025.
An enormous yr for Laura Scott
Laura received at her first regionals within the elementary silver at Bicton, claimed the 2025 grade IV nationwide title at Somerford Park, and swept three courses at her first CPEDI3* with CEI Summer time Days (Summertime Blues x LDB Hotline).
“I used to be a bit apprehensive I used to be chucking him in on the deep finish by doing a three-star at his first worldwide,” she admits. “However he was unbelievable.”
Her success has been underpinned by constant coaching with Nina Venables and Pammy Hutton.
“Their assist and steerage have been instrumental,” Laura says. It was Pammy who first steered para dressage and inspired her to get categorized — a pathway Laura knew little about on the time.
“I didn’t know something about para dressage, so I’ve needed to study loads,” she says. “However it’s been an ideal expertise. It’s an exquisite neighborhood, and whereas it’s very completely different to pointing, it nonetheless offers me a aim — and I get my competitors repair.”
Alongside her aggressive profession, Laura continues to work as head lady for her father, coach Jeremy Scott, juggling racehorses and dressage with attribute practicality. “It retains me very busy,” she says, “however it works nicely.”
Laura purchased Summer time Days by way of Antonia Brown, and the connection was immediate. “As quickly as I noticed him, I knew he was the one,” Laura says. “He’s gifted, with essentially the most unbelievable temperament.”
Their journey collectively has moved shortly, from prelim checks to nationwide and worldwide success. “I really feel extremely fortunate to be driving him,” she provides. “I’ve solely scratched the floor to this point.”
Waiting for 2026, Laura is measured however optimistic. Her focus is on persevering with to develop CEI Summer time Days, whereas additionally aiming to compete him at medium degree able-bodied dressage.
She has additionally simply backed a homebred four-year-old and is relishing the method of manufacturing one other horse from the beginning.
Being chosen onto the World Class Programme has added additional perception.
“With that assist,” she says, “it looks like all the things is coming collectively.”
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Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for high dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Beneath Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.
