Sydney boy living with disability barred from hobby by 'heartbreaking' new rule
A 12-year-old Sydney boy living with a disability has been barred from competing in his hobby because of a "heartbreaking" new rule.
Brodie Pankhurst and his horse, Promise, were cleaning up in the Western Sydney Horse Show last year.
Pankhurst suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, meaning his body is physically weak and it's getting weaker, rending him to the confines of an electric mobility chair.
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Last year, Brodie Pankhurst and his horse Promise were cleaning up in the Western Sydney Horse Show, competing while in his mobility chair. Nine
Despite doctors saying he isn't expected to live past 30, Pankhurst doesn't let his disability stop him from participating in his favourite hobby, Show Horses.
"[It] gives me something to do because I can't do other sports ... gives me a little more fun to do," he told 9News.
But now, the New South Wales Arabian Horse Association has introduced a new rule that bars him from competing completely, having banned all wheeled vehicles and making all competitors wear helmets.
The association runs all Arabian horse competitions statewide.
Pankhurst said he had been "a bit sad" since he learned that he and his new horse Ruby were unable to compete.
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Pankhurst said he's been "a bit sad" since he learned that he and his new horse Ruby are unable to compete. Nine
His mother Mel Millard said the change in rules was "heartbreaking" for their family and for her son.
"It's a struggle given he can't do it forever," she said.
"Obviously 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 go out and do what he loves."
Millard was told the rule was put into place for the safety of other horses and competitors.
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His mother Mel Millard says the change in rules is "heartbreaking" for their family, and for her son. Nine
Millard was told the rule was put into place for the safety of other horses and competitors. Nine
She said the association had made it impossbile for her daughter to compete as well, as they only let the family compete if they dropped all legal proceedings against them.
Millard told 9News she wanted to drop the legal matter, but only if Brodie was able to compete from his mobility chair.
9News tried to contact the association but didn't receive a response.
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