AN inspirational disabled horse rider from Barnoldswick has taken on the challenge of training a young ex-racehorse with the aim of competing in top para-dressage competitions.

Jemima Croft, 24, has been disabled since she was 15 years old after several neurological conditions, but far from letting it hold her back, she is raising awareness of disability in the tough and sometimes unforgiving equine world.

The rider, who uses a wheelchair, divides her time between Myerscough College, Preston, where she is a part time student doing equine science and management, and the livery yard in East Marton where her horse, Travellers Joy, is stabled.

Jemima, who lives with her fiancé, Matty, writes a blog about being a disabled rider, and recently reached the semi-finals of the Spillers brand ambassador programme. She has also been a role model for the disability equality charity Scope.

The rider, who has previously had horses on loan, bought Joy after seeing her advertised on Facebook. The seven year old, 15.3hh high thoroughbred, seemed ‘too good to be true’ said Jemima.

“Matty convinced me to at least go try her, I knew she was perfect as soon as I saw her and when I rode her I could feel her potential instantly, then she flew through a five-stage vetting and was home with us a week later.

“Joy is now fully wheelchair trained, and responds predominantly through voice command and subtle hand gestures. She also moves entirely from my seat when being ridden.”

Jemima says she created her social media accounts - @jemcroftpararider - a year ago to create awareness of disability within the equine industry, document her journey into becoming a para rider, and show the highs and lows of retraining an ex- racehorse.

“By using my previous work as a disability role model for Scope, I’ve been able to work with brands to help provide better representation of disability within the equine community, and improve inclusivity. I’m also helping to advise The British Horse Society (BHS) on creating more equal opportunities for disabled people in equine education sectors.”

Jemima’s aim is to compete in para dressage in regional competitions, but for now, she is focusing on retraining Joy in showjumping, cross country and off-road hacking.

“The most difficult thing with retraining an ex racehorse is Joy has such a busy brain. She’s incredibly intelligent, which is fantastic, but it also can work against me.

“She’s got her own mind and her own opinions and she’s very good at telling me when she’s not happy with something or doesn’t understand. So I’ve had to work really hard at figuring out what works and what doesn’t, doing enough work that she’s mentally challenged but not overwhelming her. She keeps me on my toes.”

Jemima spends about four hours a day at the stables, mucking out, putting Joy out into a field and exercising her - when she is at university, her day starts at 6.30am before the hour and a half drive to Myerscough, and then its back at the stables in the evening.

“I only need help with jobs if it’s a day where my chronic illnesses are particularly bad, if I’ve got bad chronic fatigue or pain. On those days Matty, my mum or the yard staff will help me. But otherwise I do it all on my own.

“I spent a good few years loaning horses so that I could learn how to adapt and do jobs slightly differently so that I could do them by myself. I also use light-weight equipment, plan rest breaks, have everything at wheelchair height so that if I need to I can do my jobs sat down, and on good health days I do extra work such as making extra nets up to save energy on bad days.”