- Brodie Pankhurst, 12, has Duchenne muscular dystrophy
- Recently banned from show horse competition
- Decision taken by NSW Arabian Horse Association
- Felt that the safety of ‘other horses and participants’ was at stake
A disabled boy is devastated after a recent rule change means he is no longer allowed to participate in his favorite sport.
Brodie Pankhurst, 12, who lives in Sydney, suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a disease that gradually causes the muscles in his body to weaken.
He has competed in show horse competitions, but his greatest joy in life has now been taken away from him.
This came after the NSW Arabian Horse Association decided to introduce a new rule banning all wheeled vehicles from competitions.
Participants are also required to wear a helmet, which prevented Brodie from participating.
His distraught mother Mel Millard called the recent rule change “heartbreaking”.
Brodie also has a life expectancy of only 30 years.
“It’s a struggle because he can’t keep it up forever,” Ms Millard told Channel Nine’s Today show on Wednesday.
Disabled youngster Brodie Pankhurst – who is devastated after being banned from his favourite sport – broke down on the Today show on Wednesday (pictured)
The 12-year-old has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which causes the muscles in his body to gradually weaken and limits his life expectancy to just 30 years.
His distraught mother Mel Millard (pictured right) called the NSW Arabian Horse Association’s recent rule change ‘heartbreaking’
“It’s clear that with his wheelchair… with his setup he can’t wear a helmet because of his [lack of muscular] support.
“It’s heartbreaking, he’s a 12-year-old boy… let him do what he wants.”
Ms Millard also told Today presenters Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo that the family had faced “discrimination issues” due to “perceived safety concerns”.
Brodie himself said the ban was “unfair” and that leading his two horses – Promise and Ruby – around gave him “something to do”.
Mrs Millard added that it would be great to see her son ‘doing what he loves without being hassled.’
The NSW Arabian Horse Association informed her that the rule had been introduced with the ‘safety of other horses and participants’ in mind.
It is also known that Mrs Millard’s daughter will not be allowed to participate again unless the threatened legal proceedings are withdrawn.