Fifteen-year-old Stephen Wagland was born with Pseudoachondroplasia, a rare medical condition characterised by short-limbed, short stature. It causes difficultly with walking due to pain in his hips and knees, and the premature onset of osteoarthritis.
He first experienced the isolation of disability at infants school, as he couldn’t join in playground activities. As football became the passion of the other boys, Stephen felt very much the outsider, although he loves watching sport on television. ‘Life before riding was not so interesting; there was little to do and I watched television a lot.’
This all changed when his mother became an RDA volunteer at the Diamond Centre in Carshalton, Surrey. He was persuaded to ‘give it a go’ and adds: “And I’ve loved it ever since!” Was he frightened as a very small nine-year-old when he first encountered one of these huge animals? “Not really. You get used to them,” he says. “You have to learn to trust horses. If you treat them well, they treat you well.”
Over the next six years Stephen learned to ride, progressed with dressage coaching, won competitions at the Diamond Centre and two years later, qualified for the RDA National Championships. In 2004 he won his first class at this level on ‘Peter’, his favourite horse. This was an amazing achievement, and he still feels elated when he talks about it. ‘We had a holiday afterwards’, he recalls, ‘and my nan was so proud of me, she told everyone on the beach!’ It is the highlight of his riding career so far, although he has had many other successes, including third in the 2005 Nationals on ‘Dounigan’, and third in 2006 on ‘Cushla’, pictured above right.
Although he cannot walk very far without pain, Stephen works with determination on his riding skills. “Sometimes it can take two months to get just one movement right.” Once he thought he’d never trot. Now learning to canter and trying Dressage to Music are two of his equestrian goals. Stephen and his parents have no doubt that his life has been transformed through RDA. Pushing back the limits of his disability enables him to enjoy success, and the exercise from riding also helps prevent muscle wastage.
Building on the success of his riding, Stephen has been spurred-on to other achievements: ‘I can now swim well, having achieved level-six water skills. I have learned to play table tennis at school and become competent in IT skills. I can be more independent as I have an electric wheelchair and also I can be more positive about the future.”
The strong social and support network is a key benefit of RDA. “Riding brings everyone together. There are lots of people who understand you and you can relate to them.” And most importantly, Stephen now has achievements to be proud of. “Not everyone can ride a horse’ he says. “Riding has given me confidence. It is something I can do that other people can’t, which makes a welcome change, as often in life I have found it is the other way round.” He pauses to conclude: “Doing what you love – it’s a great feeling!”
Stephen’s future hopes? “Like most young people, I dream of representing my country at the 2012 Olympics, which are to be held in London.” He looks to the example of his hero, Lee Pearson, but is disarmingly modest, and unaware of the inspiration and energy that he himself radiates. ‘Please mention the support from my parents and sister’ he says. ‘And don’t forget Peter – he’s such a special horse who does whatever you ask!”
