Bronze medallist Britain's Natasha Baker, riding Dawn Chorus, competes in the Para Equestrian Individual Freestyle Event - Grade III at Chateau de Versailles during the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on September 7, 2024. – AFP

The British charity Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) profoundly impacted Natasha Baker's life, as she revealed to AFP. The organization taught her essential skills that propelled her to become one of the most accomplished Paralympic dressage riders in history. At 34, Baker, who lost feeling in her legs due to transverse myelitis, is renowned as the 'horse whisperer' for her ability to control her mount using only her voice. This technique, mastered at RDA, has been pivotal in her winning 10 Paralympic medals, including six gold, across four Games.

Baker shared her story while mentoring young riders at Park Lane Stables RDA in Teddington, a leafy suburb of London. This stable, one of 450 across the UK, is affectionately known as 'ponies on pavements' due to its suburban location, and it is patronized by Princess Anne. Natalie O'Rourke, the energetic founder and manager of the stables, successfully raised £1.4 million ($1.8 million) through a crowd-funding campaign in just six weeks during the Covid outbreak in 2021. Her efforts, along with those of her fellow stable managers, have been recognized, with RDA being named the charity for the 2022 London International Horse Show from December 18-22.

Baker credits RDA for teaching her to ride without stirrups and use her voice to guide her horse. As a Paralympic rider, this method is permitted in competition, unlike for able-bodied riders. 'I can't use my legs at all when I ride, so I have to find another way to encourage the horse to go forward for me,' she explained. 'I became known as the horse whisperer because that's how I communicate with my horses, and I enjoy chatting anyway. So it was a very natural thing for me.'

Baker, who was identified as a talent at just 11 years old, believes horses possess an innate ability to understand their riders. 'I think horses just have a magical way of understanding what you're asking them to do,' she said. 'It doesn't matter whether you're able-bodied or have a disability; they have a sixth sense.'

Baker comes from a family passionate about horses; her mother was a show jumper and eventer. 'It's all my mum's fault,' she laughs. However, many participants and volunteers at RDA do not have such backgrounds. Nine-year-old Elle Dimitrijevic, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is a prime example. Her physiotherapist recommended RDA for its benefits to core strength and hip flexibility, as her mother Angela noted. In just over a year at Park Lane, Elle has shown significant improvement and boosted confidence.

The 13,000 volunteers at RDA are its backbone, including 14-year-old Yohannes D'Allio, who has been volunteering for over two years. His sister sparked his interest, and his homeschooling mother encouraged him to join. 'With me not going to school, this is part of my social life,' D'Allio, affectionately known as 'Yo Yo', told AFP. 'The thing about horses is they don't judge you; you can be whoever you want to be.' D'Allio's passion for horses has grown so much that he dreams of becoming an international show jumper.

The stories of these individuals deeply affect RDA's CEO, Michael Bishop, who took on the role in April. 'I've had parents move me to tears because they talk about the impact on their family life,' he told AFP. 'The fact that when they've had the RDA session for their children, their children are calm for the evening, and they get to engage in dinner with their respective partners. Like, you know, a normal evening.' These relatable experiences are what truly resonate.

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