Help us #BeatTheBlindfold and #GetVerityToRio in 2016

Verity would be thrilled if you could help her and her favourite charities by making a small donation

DONATE- using the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BEN2WL4P4YA5W

Even £1 will make a difference.

(75% of all donations will be split between Guide Dogs and Riding for the Disabled).

Verity Smith is a blind international dressage rider who has previously represented her country as part of Para Team GB and is hoping to continue her dream to win a gold medal by competing at the Paralympics in Rio next year.

However, a recent ruling by the International Paralympic committee (IPC) and the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) means that Verity and other dressage riders will be forced to wear a blindfold when competing.

Verity is registered blind with 10 percent residual vision, like many others who are registered blind. Having access to light is therefore extremely important. The new ruling by the IPC and FEI though means any access to such light will be banned by the use of a blindfold, leaving Verity and other competitors in the dark and unable to compete.

Of the ruling, Verity says that it is ‘...dangerous and debilitating as most registered blind people have some residual light and dark. Horses have always been my sanctuary, allowing me to quite literally ride the storm of my blindness . When I ride I am free I am afraid of nothing but in the blindfold I am a prisoner frightened of the dark.’

Please give your support and help #BeatTheBlindfold. We want to revive the spirit of the Paralympics which invoke the ideals of courage ,determination, inspiration and equality. The Paralympic aim is to ‘challenge stereotypes, transform attitudes and redefine the boundaries of possibility.’ The blindfold removes these ideals. Therefore we want to remove the blindfold and allow blind riders to compete using every glimmer of sight they may still have.

Don't blindfold their dreams.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Take a selfie doing something mad or mundane in a blindfold.

2. Tweet/Facebook it with the # and a link to Change.org.

3. Contribute by signing the petition and making a

donation.

4. Nominate your friends to #BeatTheBlindfold.

5. Spread the word and follow Verity on Twitter and Facebook :

@VSmithDressage and www.facebook.com/verity.smith.dressage/

You can watch Verity's #BeatTheBlindfold mini-blockbuster here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3AoJImb-oM

DONATE - using the link below:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=BEN2WL4P4YA5W

Even £1 will make a difference.

(75% of all donations will be split between Guide Dogs and Riding for the Disabled).