Verity Smith

Blind, Blonde and Blazing a Trail.

Verity is a Blind International Dressage Rider who is going for Gold and competing to earn her place back on Team GB for Rio 2016.

"Horses gallop through my veins and no loss of sight will allow me to lose the freedom they afford my spirit". Quote from Verity.

Verity’s love affair with horses has been in place since a very early age, riding since age 3 and competing on horseback since the age of 5. At the age of 8, Verity was told that she would go blind, to which she responded: “It’s ok; I ride and the horse can see for me!” A testament to her positive nature, drive and determination; the only concession thereafter was a switch from show jumping to dressage.

Having represented her country but having had her London hopes dashed through the death of her horse and injury to herself, Verity is now back in the saddle and has identified the horse to take her to Rio and has created the Kingdom’s Horse Campaign with which to purchase him.

Over the years, Verity has been training in the UK, Sweden and France with top class dressage trainers, these trainers have never worked with blind or disabled riders and measure Verity’s abilities against all-comers.

Verity is also an accomplished singer/songwriter whose unique voice, melodies and lyrics illuminate the light and beauty of the darkest corners of our hearts. Since the age of 19 Verity has worked with

EMI Publishing, Eagle Records, Little Buddha, Kensal Town records, Mike Dixon Management

Her talent as a singer/songwriter has led to her collaborations with:

Sacha Skarbek: Ivor Novello award winner, Grammy award nominee and writer of such hit songs as 'You're Beautiful' for James blunt, Paul Herman: Writer of 'Thank You' for Dido, Craig Armstrong: Orchestral composer and Oscar winner for film Music for Baz Luhrmen's 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Moulin Rouge', Daryl Runswick: Orchestral and Jazz Composer, co-writer and bass player for Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Lane, Richard Stilgoe: giving song writing Master Classes at The Orpheus Centre UK.

Verity is currently writing and performing her songs, with, and arranged by Jason Carter, composer and guitarist. Verity’s forthcoming album ‘La Verity’ will be available on iTunes in May. The album was premiered at the South Bank Centre in London in December 2013.

Verity has recently created, written and performed in a musical theatre show with a French Theatre Company. This moving and innovative show explores the intimacy of love from her blind perspective. The show climaxes at the breath taking moment when Verity takes love by the hand and flies on the trapeze.

Verity has recently finished her autobiography ‘The Groper's Guide' which will be available from Amazon in May. The Groper's Guide gives an eye opening insight into the hidden world of the unseen, in which the wonders of Verity's world are bumped into, tripped over, scratched, sniffed and fallen in love with. The book gives a humorous account of the travels and tribulations that she experiences while growing up as a blind explorer, whose perspective of the world adds a new dimension to an already colorful planet. We follow her journey through a wonderland and watch as, just as they did for Alice, things for Verity become 'curiouser and curiouser'.

Throughout this colorful life, Verity has always strived to open through positivity, doors, which can sometimes be closed to disabled people. She has written online articles regarding access for Guide Dogs in Sweden and represented Guide Dogs at the House of Lords. Verity is also instrumental in initiating and publicizing the rights for international travel for Guide Dogs and their owners.