Catford teen with Paralympic dreams stars at National Riding for the Disabled Junior Dressage Championship

A teenage horse rider with her eye on the 2028 paralympics in Los Angeles is pinning her hopes on a charity raising funds to find her a mount and pay for much-needed private lessons. 

Thirteen-year-old Yasmina Bez, of Phoebe’s Place, Catford, recently showed her prowess on the saddle with a second place in a class of 30 at a dressage walk event at Penniwells Riding Centre for the Disabled in Borehamwood. 

Her continuing signs of exceptional talents are all the more remarkable because she has Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) – a rare, inherited disease which causes progressive nervous system damage and movement problems which worsen over time. 

Yasmina has problems with her speech and uses a wheelchair most of the time. She started horse riding at the age of 11, initially as part of her therapy to improve her movement and strength, and found that as well as loving the sport, she had a real talent for it.  

She currently rides with the Riding for the Disabled New Lodge centre in Bromley, as well as at New Lodge Riding Centre in Lewisham and Park Lane Stables in Richmond. 

The family is being supported by children’s charity Tree of Hope, which helps families fundraise for children like Yasmina with healthcare needs and provides charity status to benefit from gift aid.

Yasmina said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have been placed in the competition and can’t wait for my next event, the off-lead dressage.

“But if I am to achieve my dream of riding in the Paralympics I will need my own horse, which is why I’m fundraising with Tree of Hope.”

Earlier this year, Yasmina took part in the Superhero Tri 2022 event, the biggest disability event of its kind in Europe, at Dorney Lake near Windsor in Berkshire.  

The event saw hundreds of children across the country with disabilities and their chosen ‘sidekicks’ gather to complete a triathlon course of varying lengths.  

Yasmina covered 10km in her walker dressed as Superman and she ended the event being interviewed by presenter Clare Balding – an event we reported on. 

Mum Touria Hauokachi, 36, said: “Like any teenage girl, she wants to be as independent as possible, and with movement difficulties riding really helps her to achieve that.”

Tree of Hope chief executive Gill Gibb said: “We’re delighted to hear Yasmina is doing so well with her riding and wish her and her family all the best with their fundraising.”

To donate to Yasmina’s fund, visit www.treeofhope.org.uk/yasmina-bez/ 

Pictured: Yasmina doing what she loves most – riding horses and visiting stables (Pictures: Touria Hauokachi)