Verity Smith – Keynote Speaker

Verity Smith is a blind International dressage rider, singer, songwriter and author. She believes in advocating the ability in disability and relishes the challenge of defying convention and breaking down boundaries.

Having already represented Great Britain as a member of Team GB, Verity Smith now rides for France. She is now training to be the first rider to represent her country in both the Olympics and Paralympics at Paris 2024. – the first rider to ever do so. It is a bold ambition but not an impossible goal as she is already ranked 12th in France Elite able bodied dressage and is on the French Para squad.

Verity’s ability and attitude led Land Rover to choose her for their ‘Can and Will’ Campaign which celebrated human ambition, determination and achievement, captured in the stories of people who have conquered personal and physical challenges to realise their dreams.

As a singer / songwriter she has written and worked with amongst others Ivor Novello winner – Sacha Skarbek, Grammy nominee – Paul Herman, Oscar winner – Craig Armstrong. As well as written and released her acoustic album ‘La Verity’, which debuted at The Purcel Rooms, South Bank, London.

She wrote and published her first book ‘The Gropers Guide ‘ which was favourably reviewed by Ivan Nabokov. This is the first part of her autobiography which offers a humorous insight into the hidden world of the unseen.

Featured in CNN International Human to Hero World Sports series, which won Gold at the 2015 New York Festivals, World Best Film & Television Awards in the Human Interest Story in Television News.
A documentary is being made which will follow Verity’s journey with emphasis on changing perceptions. This is not a ‘fly on the wall’ but a film documentary. The Director of Photography is Frank Dow, a 2015 Bafta and Oscar Nominee and Emmy Winner. A clip from the documentary has been seen by over four million people since featuring on BBC Gloucestershire Facebook page alone.

As a speaker, Verity Smith has inspired, motivated, educated and entertained by her positive attitude. Through her experiences, she encourages and persuades the audience to think about what can be achieved through persistence, determination, focus and, most of all, humour. Speaking at events for clients such as Ariat Europe, Brand Exchange London, Harmonie Mutuelle, League of Angels London, Lions Club, Orange, Primary Club UK and Tictrac.