Ex-pro showjumper with MS gets back in the saddle

A former pro-showjumper who was forced to retire due to her health has successfully ridden a horse again after more than two years out of the saddle.

Harriet Martin, from Somerset, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) when she was 28 and after years of trying to keep on riding, was forced to stop in 2024 due to her symptoms.

This week the 40-year-old travelled to Cumbria Heavy Horses and spent three days with the south-west Lake District riding centre, building up to a successful gallop along the coast.

Post-ride, she said: "I didn't realise how depressed I was not doing it until I got on and I just can't stop smiling."

She said her whole life had revolved around horses after learning to ride as a toddler.

As well as showjumping, she has worked as a lecturer in equine science until her symptoms got too much.

"I remember just being completely devastated," she said.

When she was first diagnosed, Martin underwent a treatment called Lemtrada which halted the progression of the autoimmune disease.

"It was effective in the sense that up until recently, although I've got a level of disability that does impact me quite a lot, it's been contained," she said.

She persevered riding, but at 33 she decided it had become too much and moved back to Somerset with her horse, Badger, to live with her parents.

But after becoming seriously unwell in 2024, she was told she was unlikely to ride, even recreationally, again.

"Everyone said, just give up, don't ride," Martin said.

"So I sort of thought, well, I've done everything I want to do, so maybe they're right."

She did give it up until her best friend asked her why would she stop doing something she loved so much, and that there must be a way of doing it safely.

Martin faced problems, because although there are charities which help people with MS ride, she had done so at such a high level she was looking for something more than being led around on a steady horse.

With her heart set on riding a shire horse, the breed she fell in love with as a child, she found Cumbria Heavy Horses.

After months of discussion with the riding centre, she started building up her strength as she could not walk 50 yards without needing to take a break.

She arrived in the Lake District on Tuesday and was matched to "the perfect horse" called Guinness.

"The team went above and beyond to accommodate my disability," she said.

Thy built up to the ride slowly, taking regular breaks and chatting through any issues.

"Do you know what? I galloped that shire horse down the beach," Martin said.

"And I never thought in a million years I'd ever do that again."

She added it felt "better than any anti-depressant".

"I just feel like me again, because this place has enabled me to do something safely, but respected the fact that I know what I'm doing and that I used to do it to a high level," Martin said.

"But a disability doesn't mean you can't still do things."

The ride was so good, she said she wanted to buy Guinness, but "definitely can't afford it".

"My dad said he hadn't seen me smile like that in years," Martin said.

"I'm going to carry on now - it's given me the kickstart I need."

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