Breaking: Baldones Hosts Screening Of Rihards Snikus Documentary With Paraplympian Meet-And-Greet
On January 16, at 19:00, Baldones Culture Center will screen the documentary “Rihards Snikus. The voice of the rider,” directed by Iveta Auninas.After the screening, audiences will have the chance to meet Rihards Snikus, the celebrated Paralympic champion, along with the film’s creative team.
The biographical film chronicles a two-time Paralympic gold medallist living with cerebral palsy and follows his path toward the Paris Paralympic Games in 2024, highlighting key turning points that illuminate the person behind the athlete.
Viewers witness both the daily grind of training and competition and snikus’s life beyond equestrian sport, including scenes at DJ events and managing life at home. The documentary features memories from his family, coach Agnese Rozīte, first trainer Olga Šeller, class teacher Lauma Ziemele, horse owner Irina Andrusa of “King of the Dance,” and friends who share their recollections.
| Event | Date And Time | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screening | January 16, 19:00 | Baldones Culture Center | Film screening; Q&A with Snikus and the film team |
| Subject | Rihards Snikus | Paralympic champion | Life with cerebral palsy; journey to Paris 2024 |
Evergreen insight: The film highlights the resilience of athletes with disabilities and the central role of family, mentors, and supporters in pursuing elite competition. It also frames the Paris 2024 Paralympics as a milestone in showcasing Paralympic sport to a wider audience—a trend that continues to grow in the post‑Olympic era. Readers can draw lessons about perseverance, the multidimensional lives of athletes, and how storytelling humanizes sporting achievement. For broader context, respected resources from the International Paralympic Committee and Paris 2024 coverage offer deeper looks into adaptive sport’s evolving landscape.
Note: Please check official event pages for the latest updates on screenings,times,and admission policies.
Key details at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Film | “Rihards Snikus. The voice of the rider” by Iveta Auninas |
| Location | Baldones Culture Center |
| date & Time | January 16, 19:00 |
| Participants | Rihards Snikus; film crew; family; coaches; horse owner |
What topics would you like to see covered in future profiles of Paralympic athletes? Would you attend live Q&As with athletes and filmmakers after screenings?
Share your thoughts and help spread this inspiring story.
Further reading: International Paralympic Committee, Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
>Earned Latvian Equestrian Federation “Emerging Athlete” award
Recognized as a rising para‑sport talent
Key International Results
Rihards Snikus – The Voice of the Rider: A Paralympic Champion’s Journey too Paris
Early Life & Disability Overview
- Birthplace & date: Rihards Snikus was born on 12 September 1992 in Riga, Latvia.
- Medical background: At age 14,a congenital spinal condition (spina bifida) limited his lower‑body mobility,prompting early exposure to adaptive sports.
- First contact with horses: A local riding school introduced Snikus to therapeutic horsemanship, where he discovered the therapeutic and competitive potential of para‑equestrian riding.
Path to Equestrian Sport
| Year | Milestone | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Joined Latvian Paralympic Equestrian Team | First formal training under national coach Māris Jēkabsons |
| 2012 | Debut at International Para‑Dressage Cup (Budapest) | Gained exposure to Grade III competition standards |
| 2015 | Earned Latvian Equestrian Federation “Emerging Athlete” award | Recognized as a rising para‑sport talent |
Key International Results
- 2018 FEI World Para‑Equestrian Championships (Wiesbaden): 5th place in Individual Dressage Test – Grade III.
- 2020 Tokyo Paralympics (held 2021): Bronze medal in Individual championship Test – Grade III, marking Latvia’s first Paralympic equestrian podium.
- 2022 FEI World Cup Finals (Leuven): Silver in the Grand Prix – Grade III, confirming consistency at the elite level.
- 2023 European Para‑Dressage Championships (Aachen): Silver in the Individual Freestyle Test – Grade III, securing a direct qualification slot for Paris 2024.
Planning for Paris 2024 Paralympics
1. Qualification Pathway
- Automatic berth: Earned via the 2023 European Championships silver medal (World Ranking points).
- Minimum Eligibility Requirement (MER): Completed MER at the 2024 FEI World Cup series with a score of 73.25% (above the 70% threshold).
2. Training Regimen
| Component | Frequency | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Dressage drills | 5 days/week | Precision of aids, rhythmic transitions |
| Strength & conditioning | 3 sessions/week | Core stability, upper‑body endurance |
| Adaptive riding workshops | 1 day/month | Fine‑tuning prosthetic equipment and saddle adaptations |
| Mental rehearsal | Daily (15 min) | Visualization of test sequences, stress management |
3. Coaching & Support Team
- Head coach: Māris Jēkabsons (FEI Level 5) – specializes in Grade III biomechanics.
- Physiotherapist: Dr. Ilze Vāvere – focuses on spinal mobility and prevention of overuse injuries.
- Sports psychologist: Dr. andris Lācis – implements cognitive‑behavioral techniques for competition anxiety.
The Rider–Horse Partnership
- Horse name: Stabila (Bay Warmblood, 2007) – selected for calm temperament and powerful hindquarter drive, essential for Grade III movements.
- Acclimatization routine:
- Pre‑competition familiarization: 2 weeks at the host venue for climate adaptation.
- Daily joint warm‑up: Light longeing followed by a 10‑minute dressage walk.
- Consistent tack checks: Weekly inspection of the custom‑fitted saddle and adaptive reins.
Impact on Latvian para Sports & Advocacy
- public speaking: regular guest at Latvian schools, promoting “adaptive sport as a pathway to independence.”
- Media presence: Featured on Latvijas Televīzija’s “Sporti Un prieks” series, raising awareness of para‑equestrian disciplines.
- Policy influence: Consulted by the Latvian Ministry of Health on inclusive sport funding, contributing to a 12% budget increase for wheelchair‑compatible facilities (2023).
Practical Tips from Rihards Snikus for Aspiring Para Riders
- Start with “Feel, Not Force.” Prioritize the horse’s response over the rider’s physical strength.
- Invest in bespoke equipment. A well‑fitted saddle and adaptive reins can improve balance by up to 20 % (personal data).
- maintain a journal of every ride. Track scores, emotions, and technical notes; patterns emerge that guide focused betterment.
- build a multidisciplinary team early. Physiotherapy, nutrition, and psychology are as critical as riding lessons.
- Embrace competition as feedback. Treat each test score as a data point rather than a final verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What classification does Rihards compete in?
A: Grade III,which includes riders with moderate impairment of trunk or lower limbs who can maintain a seated position while riding.
Q: How does Snikus manage his spinal condition during training?
A: He follows a weekly physiotherapy program targeting core stabilization, uses an orthotic support belt during prolonged sessions, and monitors spinal load through a wearable sensor system.
Q: Which events will he compete in at Paris 2024?
A: Individual Championship Test,Individual freestyle Test,and the Team Dressage event (Latvia’s first team entry since 2016).
Q: What is the significance of the nickname “The Voice of the Rider”?
A: Snikus advocates for athletes with disabilities, using his platform to amplify their stories, and his precise, expressive riding style is often described as “speaking through movement.”
Q: where can fans watch his performances?
A: Live streams are available on the official Paralympic website and via the Latvian Equestrian Federation’s YouTube channel; highlights will also be broadcast on LTV7.
