Nicola Naylor, who lost her sight completely in her early adulthood after being partially sighted since childhood, faced severe despair and suicidal thoughts. However, after years of rehabilitation and initially stepping away from horses, she reignited her passion for riding when her daughter began lessons. Encouraged by her daughter’s trainer, Nicola returned to riding despite serious back surgery and no prior knowledge of dressage. Her determination led her to compete at high levels, including making her grand prix debut at age 63 and earning a place on the 2025 British para dressage team for the European Championships.

Nicola’s journey has been marked by unique challenges due to her blindness, such as not being able to see dressage movements or use visual aids like mirrors or videos. She relies heavily on her trainer Sarah Millis and a caller during competitions to navigate the arena and perform complex movements. Their training involves innovative methods tailored to Nicola’s needs, emphasizing relentless practice and spatial awareness. Despite the difficulties, Nicola continues to push boundaries, aiming to excel in both para and non-disabled dressage, inspiring others with her resilience and dedication.