Double Paralympic champion visits SOGB athlete ahead of World Games
As part of her final preparations for the World Games in Los Angeles, Georgina Maton Special Olympics GB equestrian athlete received a surprise visit from her heroine Natasha Baker, Double Paralympic Dressage Champion.
Not only is Georgina Maton, Special Olympics GB Equestrian athlete, heading to the World Games in LA next month but she got a surprise visit from her heroine, double gold winning Paralympian Natasha Baker at Oaklands College in St. Albans.
Georgina said:
'I was so excited because I have always wanted to meet her. Her tips were really helpful and I really appreciate her help. I’m really excited about Los Angeles. I’m looking forward to it and seeing what awards I might come back with.'
Natasha, who won two gold medals in dressage at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, said:
'Her reaction was priceless. I wasn’t sure how she would react and what she would think as it was a total surprise for her but she was so happy. She is doing amazingly well - her riding has come on in leaps and bounds. To go to Los Angeles and compete for her country is an amazing opportunity. I have told her to have fun, which is the most important thing, get to know her horse and do her best.'
Georgina Maton is one of five equestrian athletes heading to Los Angeles in July to represent Special Olympics GB at the World Games.
The 26 year old from Barnet goes to college twice a week and trains in St Albans. It has been clear for some time that she has a passion for horse riding.
Georgina said:
'I always knew I needed horses in my life. I made my parents take me to riding lessons. We found a lovely lady ‘Sarah Horseriding’ who taught me to ride when I was 5 on a curly pony called Autumn!
'I find lots of things hard and have had some difficult times in my life - like school, but I think I understand horses - and they don't judge me.'
She continued:
'When I was 17 at college I did horse-riding with another lovely Sarah, Sarah Moreland, who is now the Special Olympics Coach and I started to live my life.
'I'm now riding, competing and working with horses and still learning and loving it!'
This summer Special Olympics GB are heading to Los Angeles with a team of athletes to complete at the Special Olympics World Games. From 25 July to 2 August over 7,000 athletes, 3,000 coaches, 30,000 volunteers will take the global stage to showcase sport for people with a learning disability at its finest.
Talking about the Games, Georgina said:
'I want to do my very best at the World Games. I want to make everyone proud and to compete for my country as part of the GB team.
'Special Olympics means I can join in and belong in a group where I am committed to training and working hard, and I am accepted for who I am. I don't have to pretend. It's ok to have a disability. I want to be a good ambassador for the Special Olympics GB team.'
Meeting Natasha Baker has given Georgina a fantastic boost ahead of the World Games next month, commenting on the surprise visit she said:
'My sporting hero is Natasha Baker. She's a Paralympic dressage rider. It's my aim to be as good as her and to meet her was one of the biggest thrills of my life.'
