Millie is galloping off into the distance
Teenager scoops top award
A Stirling teenager who has battled from birth to overcome challenges has won a top honour from Riding for the Disabled.
Millie Boo Smith, aged 14, was born 14 weeks premature in October 2006 weighing just 1lb 12ozs and amazingly pulled through an operation carried out at Yorkhill Hospital at just four weeks old to close a valve in her heart.
While she has cerebral palsy and severe hearing loss she has not let any difficulties stand in her way.
In particular, she discovered a love of riding and horses.
Now she has now been named RDA Participant of the Year after being nominated by local EquiPower organisers, who described her as a “shining example”, citing her achiements, courage, resilience and team spirit.
Equi-Power was set up in 2015 to provide therapeutic, learning, and sporting activities with horses for children and adults with disabilities in central Scotland, following the devastating closure of the Bannockburn Riding for the Disabled (RDA) group, which provided activities with horses for disabled people.
Millie Boo began horse riding at Bannockburn RDA in October 2013, initially just for therapy, but then to help with her cerebral palsy, core strength and balance. She joined Equi-Power in 2019.
Equi-Power organisers who nominated her for the award said while initially she was “very nervous and tearful”, coaches worked to build her confidence and by May 2019 Millie rode so confidently off lead rein she won both the tack and turnout prize and qualified for the RDA National championships in her dressage class. Meanwhile, when a physiotherapist provided feedback that Millie would benefit from the largest possible surface area to support her muscles, Millie was offered the opportunity to try equestrian vaulting as well as riding, explained her nominators.
“She took very quickly to vaulting and competed with such success at the British Equestrian Vaulting competitions that she was awarded a trophy for their most improved competitor. In June 2019 she performed with our team of vaulters at the Royal Highland Show.
“In the past year, when riding and vaulting were paused due to national lockdowns, Millie Boo did not let circumstances prevent her from following her passion.
“Studying via the online platform Zoom, Millie gained her RDA Horse Care Level Three and Four Awards, her BHS Horse Knowledge parts One and Two, the BHS Horse Health Challenge Award, and an RDA E-learning certificate in Equine knowledge.
“As a volunteer for Equi-Power, Millie completed the Virtual Kiltwalk during lockdown and was part of a team that raised £20,000 for our group.
“She has been recognised twice by Youth Scotland Hi 5 awards for volunteering, and recognised by the National Saltire Award scheme.
“Despite losing muscle tone and strength during lockdown, Millie has returned to riding and vaulting with determination and confidence in 2021. She attends in all weathers, and having embraced all that technology has to offer during lockdown had no qualms about filming a dressage test for this year’s RDA National Championships. She has once again qualified for the championships in both dressage and arts and crafts.
“As a group we have been so impressed by Millie’s achievements, courage, resilience, team spirit, adaptability during lockdowns, commitment to learning, commitment to volunteering and commitment to riding and vaulting.”
Millie’s dad Steven said: “We thought just being nominated was a fantastic achievement, however we are absolutely overwhelmed that she won and incredibly proud of her for her hard work, dedication and enthusiasm.”
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