Teenage Stirling horserider celebrates success in competitions

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A young rider is going from strength to strength as she flies the flag for disability sports.Born 14 weeks early in 2006, Millie Boo Smith has cerebral palsy and bilateral hearing loss.The 16-year-old started horseriding at a young age to help with coordination and strength, and quickly developed a passion for horses, riding and dressage.She took part in her first competition in 2016 – and won.Since then her achievements have been recognised both locally and nationally.Millie Boo rides for Equipower Central Scotland RDA group near Stirling.The teenager’s efforts saw her competing in the 2023 RDA National Championships earlier this year.But her achievements have continued even since then.Dad Steven said: “The second half of the year has been amazing for Millie.“Firstly since August, after a long wait, Millie finally has a horse we have on loan.“George, a thoroughbred ex racehorse who is 16, was paired with Millie.“An opportunity came up to loan him from his wonderful owner Lewis Conway.

Already George and Millie seem to have a strong bond and Millie can now enter British Dressage competitions. Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area. “Millie has ridden twice with George at the SNEC (Scottish National Equestrian Centre) winning both her classes and accumulating enough points to qualify for the British Dressage Winter Championships in Myerscough College in February.

We now just have to try and fund the trip and get there.“Secondly Millie successfully joined Scottish Disability Sports Young Persons Panel shaping disability sport in Scotland for people over the next three years.“Lastly Millie won a prestigious award at St Modans [High School] - the Foxworthy Medal, along with a certificate of merit for