Active Summer Fun: 'Horse-riding always cheers me up'
A new participation campaign created by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) and National Disability Sport Organisations (NDSOs) is encouraging more disabled people to find out and play out over summer. Active Summer Fun -#ActiveSummerFun on social media - is an exciting new campaign that aims to support more disabled people to find ways to be active during the warmer months.
This summer we will be hearing from various disabled people or those who deliver activities that include disabled people. We hear how they are expecting the next few months to be very busy!
Today, Georgina Maton, who is a Special Olympics GB gold medal winner in equestrianism, talks to us. She tells us about training at home on her beloved Rudy, and winning medals abroad.
Georgina's Active Summer Fun:
I’ve been very busy, horse-riding pretty much all the time every weekend. I am 25 years old, and my favourite riding is dressage. I get a great sense of freedom when I’m on the horse.
I’ve been riding ever since I was four or five, so a very long time. Nobody knows the reason why I was suddenly fascinated by horses and riding – my parents tell me I just dragged them to the stables one day.
I have had to work hard to improve as a rider. My co-ordination on the ground wasn’t good to start with, but as I improved on horseback I soon found I was improving on the ground too. It was simply a case of practise, and of course I had to build up core strength. Muscle memory is a great thing, but I can stiffen up if I don’t ride for a few days.
I’ve been really pleased with my sporting year – it’s been amazing. I went to Los Angeles and won three golds at the Special Olympics. I wanted to come home with three golds but I didn’t officially say anything. I kept my ambition quiet, because I didn’t want to tempt fate.
When I won that first gold medal in LA, I felt amazing. It was something I’d always dreamt of. There were so many people there, and their cheering meant an adrenaline rush surged through my body. It can sometimes get emotional.
Apart from my riding I enjoy pilates. My teacher is also a physio, so she helps to keep me supple. I’ve done the stretching for the last six months, and when I started I knew if I gave it a go it would help me later on.
It has helped me strengthen my body, so I can ride for longer periods of time. My core has improved, which in turn helps me to stabilise while on the horse and keep my legs stiller. Without the pilates I wouldn’t be such an effective rider.
I’m going to continue my horse-riding all summer. At the moment I ride four to six times a week, plus I head up to the stables every day and help around the yard.
If I miss a few days I feel bad, because I miss the horses. I riding you have a real connection. A horse doesn’t judge you, and unlike a person it can’t argue with you or answer you back.
In America I had to borrow a horse to compete, but at home I’m always riding on Rudy. He is patient, but he has a cheeky personality - if you’re standing next to him he’ll come up and nudge you in the shoulder. He and I have a good understanding.
I’d encourage people to give sport a go. It just takes a few hours of your time, but I really think the effects of doing it will pay you back and hopefully you will love it.
After exercising I feel really good. When I have a bad day my parents tend to send me up to the stables and make me ride a horse. They know that after I’ve gone for a ride they’ll be able to have a conversation with me later on! Horse-riding always cheers me up.
Find out more about horse-riding on the Riding for the Disabled Association website. Find out more about Active Summer Fun. Find out and play out this summer. English Learning Disability Sport Alliance (ELDSA) is a partnership between two NDSOs, Mencap Sport and Special Olympics GB. Who work together to promote sport and physical activity opportunities for people with a learning disability.
