Nine-year-old Para dressage rider Dylan Ward competes in able bodied BD because he’s too young to be able to do BD para which only starts at age thirteen. Dylan has a severely deformed left hip and no use of his left leg after battling bone cancer. This incredible young man is currently riding at Elementary level and is working hard on a training mission at the moment ahead of the area festivals. Supported and coached by his mum, and also having been helped by some very well known names in the dressage and para-dressage world, Dylan is going to give a go at stepping up to Elementary in BD next year for the summer qualifiers and is really enjoying the lateral work. Dylan hopes to represent Great Britain at the Paralympics when he is older. Dylan was named as the The Horse & Hound Podcast Inspiration of the Year winner in 2023. We have no doubt that this very talented and determined young rider will achieve his goals and will be following his progress with great interest.
Tell us about your ponies
Meet the truly talented and inspirational young Para dressage rider Dylan Ward
Pepper is a 11hh Shetland cross Welsh and my first pony who when we got him hadn’t even been broken in yet. I learnt to ride in his abs had loads of jumping fun on him when I was tiny, I was even competing at little showjumping competitions on him when I was four, but he Is quite a cheeky monkey and he taught me how to stick on well.
Inki is a 12.2hh Welsh mountain pony who is 14, I’ve had him since January 2021. He’s super fun and likes to jump and do dressage but he can be quite cheeky and sharp when he wants to be. Typical Welsh dragon. I’ve ridden him at the RDA nationals two years in a row and have come home with national titles both times.
Karuso is a 2-year-old Welsh section B. Karuso was given to me when I first got poorly, and he was only a few days old. I have loved watching him grow up and can’t wait to one day be able to ride him one day but now we have great cuddles.
Dylan enjoying time with his hero and good friend Sir Lee Pearson
McFlurry is a 7-year-old 14.2hh Dutch new forest pony. Last year so many amazing people donated to help me get an amazing dressage pony called McFlurry. He’s such a good boy who has also got a really funny personality. In the last year he has taught me so much.
Panaero is a 20yo Andalusian, he’s my mums and he’s crazy!
How did horses come into your life?
My mum rode for a job and she sat me on ponies from when I was only a few days old. When I was three, I got Pepper and I have been collecting ponies ever since.
Who do you train with?
I am lucky as I have had lessons with some really cool people over the last few years. The main people who help me with training are list 1 judge Kim Ratcliffe, International rider Ruby Hughes and Lee Pearson has also helped me a huge amount too.
What are your favourite things to do with the ponies?
My favourite thing to do is riding because it makes me feel free and I don’t need my crutches or wheelchair to fly around. But I also love to snuggle them all too.
What do you love about riding?
I find it so fun. But it’s also hard and I’m really enjoying the more challenging things I’m learning now I’m starting elementary work.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Mainly it’s my mum. She’s my groom, coach, nurse and everything else. But I do also have so many sponsors which make me feel incredibly lucky I think when mum counted the other day it was 19 companies which makes me feel really special.
What would you like to be doing in the future, and do you have any goals?
My number one dream is to ride in the Paralympics, and I will make that dream come true one day!
Your Top Tip
To make sure your always having fun as if you’re not, then what’s the point!
Down the Centre Line
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
I have already been able to sit on my dream horse Valegro but I would absolutely love to ride him properly one day he’s amazing.
Who is your equestrian hero?
Sir Lee Pearson. He’s one of my most favourite friends too. He inspires me so much I’d love to be able to ride like him one day.
What is your favourite colour horse?
Black like my Flurry!
What is are your ponies’ favourite treats?
Tasty treat.! But if you asked Flurry, it would be literally anything, and he has a trick where he will smile in exchange for a treat. It’s so funny.
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Dylan you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here . You can keep up with Dylan’s progress and check out his instagram page here
My favourite thing to do is riding because it makes me feel free and I don’t need my crutches or wheelchair to fly around. But I also love to snuggle them all too.
Mainly it’s my mum. She’s my groom, coach, nurse and everything else. But I do also have so many sponsors which make me feel incredibly lucky I think when mum counted the other day it was 19 companies which makes me feel really special.
