Keystone Daybreak Refrain, or “Lottie” as she is thought at dwelling, is the group Paralympic gold medal-winning journey of Natasha Baker, who’s herself one in every of Britain’s most embellished equestrian athletes.
“Lottie is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is virtually good in each method,” Natasha instructed Horse & Hound forward of the Tokyo Video games.
“She has such a form, beneficiant persona – she likes to work and is keen. She is going to go into any enviornment or ambiance and he or she desires to carry out and work with me.”
Because the pair prepares to journey down the centre line in Paris, we glance again at their profession collectively to date.
The beginnings of a partnership
In February 2017, Natasha’s two-time Paralympic and a number of gold medal-winning journey Cabral – who was higher referred to as “JP” – was put down after creating a bacterial an infection.
The pair had been on the forefront of British para-dressage success since successful two European gold medals in 2011. Natasha described him as her “horse of a lifetime” and wears a hoop constituted of his hair in remembrance.
With the up-and-coming teen she had on the time, Fireball, proving not fairly forward-thinking sufficient for her to take to the highest, Natasha took the remainder of the 12 months out of competing.
Within the build-up to World Equestrian Video games in 2018 she leased the then nine-year-old Mount St John Diva Dannebrog after an intensive search.
The pair went on to win two silver medals, however following the championships Natasha was as soon as once more left searching for a brand new journey.
In early 2019, she went to strive Keystone Daybreak Refrain who was at the moment starting her competitors profession in able-bodied dressage with Beth Bainbridge.
“The primary time I sat on her I obtained butterflies,” Natasha mentioned. “She had the perfect temperament on the planet and the motion to go together with it.
“I don’t have the usage of my legs after I journey, however Lottie is a forward-thinking horse and he or she tailored to my using rapidly.
Natasha Baker and Keystone Daybreak Refrain, pictured throughout enviornment familiarisation on the World Para Dressage Championships. Credit score: Peter Nixon
“It was useful that within the weeks earlier than I first went to see her, Beth tried to make use of her voice as a lot as she may whereas using her, and her legs as little as potential which helped make it a simple transition for Lottie.”
The pair made their debut collectively in Might 2019, competing at first in able-bodied dressage at novice, happening to position second on the nationwide championships.
“By no means in 1,000,000 years did I believe I’d be coming right here,” Natasha instructed H&H on the time. “I didn’t have the perfect regionals – that was the worst take a look at I’ve ever ridden – so to come back right here and put that proper was feeling.
“There may be a variety of strain on me in para dressage, which is why we initially went down the able-bodied route in 2019. It was enjoyable and Lottie loves to enter an extended enviornment and to canter, which we don’t do in grade III.
“I’ve additionally been in a position to take her hacking, and I balled my eyes out the primary time we cantered by way of a discipline as a result of I’ve by no means had a horse I’ve trusted as a lot as her. I really feel as if something is feasible with Lottie as a result of we belief one another.”
The pair made their para debut a month later at Keysoe CPEDI3*, claiming a trio of victories and scoring 76.47% for his or her freestyle.
“We went into this present feeling fairly under-prepared – we solely learnt rein-back final week!” Natasha mentioned.
“I at all times really feel the strain at internationals, however when the strain is on, Lottie rises to it. This provides us benchmark of the place we’re forward of our Tokyo marketing campaign subsequent 12 months.”
After all, everybody’s Tokyo plans have been thrown up within the air because of the Covid pandemic. However in the long run that may have labored out fairly effectively for Natasha, as a result of it meant that by the point Tokyo got here round, she and Keystone Daybreak Refrain have been seasoned campaigners.
Rising to the large event
The pair kicked off the rescheduled Tokyo Video games by taking the grade III particular person silver on 76.27%.
“I believe if we have been right here 12 months in the past, I don’t assume I’d have gotten 76%,” Natasha mentioned on the time.
“It’s our first competitors collectively like this and preventing for the gold medal was by no means a factor coming right here – it was simply if I win a medal, then superior. I simply need to give her a very optimistic expertise.”
However regardless of the percentages being stacked towards them, the mix went on to attain 76.62% within the group take a look at to assist the British group to gold, and their seventh consecutive Paralympic title.
“We have been hoping to come back and possibly problem for Bronze,” mirrored Natasha, who added that Keystone Daybreak Refrain grew in confidence from their particular person take a look at, with a stutter within the stroll pirouette being the one blip of their glowing efficiency.
Natasha Baker with Keystone Daybreak Refrain on the Tokyo Paralympics. Credit score: Liz Gregg
“It’s an unimaginable motion for somebody with no use of their legs!” laughed Natasha.
“She simply tries to take over and go so small, like she’s saying, ‘I’ve obtained this, Mum,’ despite the fact that I’ve my leg on and my whip tapping her.
“I obtained a cracking pirouette within the warm-up, however sadly they didn’t rely. However I may actually push extra – the leg yields have been very nice, she was actually balanced, up and highly effective. And there was extra rest within the stroll. I can’t ask for extra.”
The pair rounded off their Video games in a poignant trend, successful silver within the freestyle, using to the identical Avatar music Natasha rode the late Cabral to in Rio.
“Lottie has simply exceeded each single expectation,” mentioned a clearly emotional Natasha following her third medal ceremony.
“In the event you’d mentioned to me that I used to be going to win two particular person silvers and a group gold, I’d have instructed you that you just have been mendacity, I simply by no means imagined that any of this might be potential.
“I simply couldn’t be extra happy with every little thing that she’s achieved and every little thing that she’s achieved for me.”
The subsequent chapter
In 2022, the pair received particular person silver and freestyle bronze on the World Championships, regardless of Natasha having a disrupted run-up after many weeks of sickness.
The freestyle was actually a large milestone for Natasha, for whom World Championship freestyles have by no means been significantly variety; in 2014 she struggled to get into the world with Cabral, and in 2018 she had a dramatic fall from Mount St John Diva Dannebrog.
“I’m happy I went in in the present day – I had critical flashbacks of 2018 after I obtained decked,” Natasha defined. “I used to be so near saying ‘I can’t do that.’ However I’m simply so happy with her – she taken care of me.”
After the worlds, Natasha took a 20-month break from competitors following the beginning of her first little one.
Throughout Natasha’s break, her coach Lisa Hopkins took up the reins and positioned third within the elementary on the 2023 Winter Championships and fourth on the Nationwide Championships.
Natasha made her return in Might 2024, successful all of the grade III courses at Hickstead CPEDI3*. Extra wins adopted at Wellington and Hartpury internationals and regardless of solely actively competing collectively once more for 2 months, the pair have been picked for Paris.
“It’s so beautiful having a unique perspective now as a result of my son is crucial factor in my life, whereas using had been crucial factor for therefore lengthy,” mentioned Natasha following her wins at Hartpury.
“I like what I do and it’s so good to come back in and never really feel a lot strain. I’m honoured, grateful and proud to be heading to my fourth Paralympic Video games, it’s been an unbelievable journey since Tokyo and heading into Paris, now as a mum, makes it much more particular.
“I can’t wait to point out Lottie off to the world and present that elite athletes may also be mums.”
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