Following a serious injury playing rugby, Bader Grant Recipient Richard Neumann ended up in a wheelchair advised he would never walk again.
10 years ago he confounded his prognosis and took his first steps, eventually followed by his first steps on horseback. Richard discovered the benefits of horseriding for physical, emotional and mental health and found that he has an aptitude for the sport. He decided to take it up competitively…
He successfully applied to us for a Bader Grant to help him to achieve his dream of competing for his country in this new sport. We couldn’t have been more proud and delighted when Richard recently contacted us to tell us that, on Wednesday 5th January, he was advised by British Dressage that he had qualified for the National Para Winter Championships with both his beautiful and talented horses, Otto and Smartie. Richard Neumann’s great start to 2022 was an extraordinary achievement: from being told he’d never walk again, to being selected to compete on 2 horses in National Championships in a new sport in under 10 years.
Richard’s immediate ambition now is to get to both the area championships and the able bodied regionals this year to gain competition experience.
We are doing our best to get that elusive international invitation, we are upping the training to maximise the opportunities. Richard Neumann – Para Dressage Rider
Huge congratulations to Richard, who has displayed such courage, determination and Bader spirit in spades. We are so proud of him and wish him and his team the very best of luck and success on this next stage of his journey. This recognition is so well deserved.
Richard sent us some lovely photographs of his first competition horse Echo, who is now thoroughly enjoying life in retirement!
Links (will open in new tabs):
- Find out more about Richard’s Bader Grant journey by clicking on the link.