From the age of two, Kyle Chapman has been horse obsessed and in fact, one of his first words was horse.
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At just three days of age, Kyle developed a sagittal sinus thrombosis leaving him with a mild-moderate intellectual disability, but this has not deterred him in his quest to competitively ride.
Now 19, Kyle has been recognised for achievement by the Riding for the Disabled Association NSW and has volunteered with the organisation for many years.
Kyle’s parents, Sharon Bassett and Stewart Chapman quickly recognised their son’s passion for horse riding and purchased a farm in Payne’s Crossing. Sharon said that riding is very beneficial to Kyle from an educational and self-esteem perspective.
“We don’t let Kyle use his disability as an excuse, and, at times, we think, he has no idea he has one,” Sharon said.
“We try to use his riding to explain to him that we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and his strength is his ability in the saddle.
“This has given Kyle self-esteem and confidence.”
Kyle has been training on an internationally bred Warmbood, ‘Let’s Jazz It Up’ also known as Andy under the instruction of Ann-Maree Lourey and Dimity Lourey of Byalee Stables at Nulkaba and hopes to begin competing in national dressage in 2015.
“He is very committed to his training and determined to achieve his goal, which is shown by his level of commitment to his training and his own financial contributions towards his quest,” she said.
“We are looking for donations or sponsorship for Kyle to help purchase “Let’s Jazz It Up” and his float,” Sharon said.
“Kyle is a different person on a horse. It is hard to see that he has a disability when he is riding.”
Kyle currently volunteers in a nursing home in Western Sydney but hopes to obtain paid employment in the not too distant future.
*** You can keep up to date with Kyle’s progress by following his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kjchapmanrider or for further information, contact Sharon on sharonkbassett@gmail.com.