Natasha Baker

Natasha Louise Baker (born 30 December 1989) is a British para-equestrian who won 2 gold medals at the 2012 Summer Paralympics, 3 at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, and 1 more in the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

Early life Baker was born on 30 December 1989 in Hammersmith, London, England. At the age of 14 months she contracted transverse myelitis, an inflammation in her spine that affected her nerve endings. She was left with weakness and no feeling in her legs.

Equestrianism Natasha Baker began riding horses as physiotherapists said it would help to strengthen her muscles. Whilst watching the 2000 Summer Paralympics, at the age of ten, she decided she wanted to compete in the Paralympics. She won her second gold medal of the Games in the individual freestyle test grade II. She set a new Paralympic record of 82.800% as she beat second placed Napel by over 5%.

Baker was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to equestrianism and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2022 New Years Honours, also for services to equestrianism. She was awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Hillingdon in September 2012.

Television commentating Baker commentated on Para Dressage at the 2017 FEI European Championships in Gothenburg alongside Rupert Bell. She then went on to commentate on Western European League Dressage World Cup later that year and continue to do so either as colour commentator or solo.

She was also part of the commentary team at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2019 FEI European Championships for Para Dressage and the Dressage World Cup Finals in 2018 & 2019.

Personal life Baker married Marc Jaconelli in March 2022 and she has two children.