REMARKABLE international blind French dressage rider Verity Smith has launched a crowd-funding campaign to try and buy a suitable horse to compete in both para-dressage and dressage at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Many people met Verity and her guide dog Luna at the 2018 Dublin Horse Show and with the help of her friend and assistant, Maura Ebbs, they have launched a crowd-funding appeal after Verity’s horse Szekit, who carried her to 12th in France (2017) at Elite level, has had to retired on health grounds. Together the pair became something of ambassadors for advocating the ‘ability in disability’.

Determined to create something positive, Verity formed a charity ‘Equipe Verity’ in which Szekit will become an equitherapy horse for disabled children.

“Time is of the essence. Verity needs to compete Internationally for France in 2019 in order to be in line for the Tokyo Para Olympics. She has found a new champion Daizy, a beautiful 10-year-old Hanoverian mare, with the talent and temperament to bring France home a Gold and continue Szekit’s legacy.

“In order to finance the purchase of Daizy, Verity launched a Crowd funding Campaign in November to ensure that this incredible journey continues,” explained Maura.

ONLINE CAMPAIGN

The campaign on www.GoFundMe.com is called ‘Verity Smith – Olympic Vision’ and it’s well worth a look, as is Verity’s website: www.veritysmith.me

For anyone wishing to donate, please go to Verity’s GoFundMe Link is: www.gofundme.com/Verity-Smith---Olympic-Vision