TWO HORSE riders from Keighley have been chosen to compete in the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.

T-Jay Wilson and James Reed-Griffiths will travel to the Middle Eastern country in March next year for the seven-day competition.

T-Jay and James, who both have learning disabilities, are members of Haworth Riding for the Disabled.

They are among five athletes from Bradford district chosen for the 129-strong team that will represent Great Britain at the World Games.

The others are basketball player Neil Hartley, cyclist Ella Curtis and golfer Mark Rhodes. Tim Curtis, from Bradford, will be a GB coach in the cycling team.

James said he was looking forward to riding in the Equestrian games, while T-Jay added: “I hope my friends in Keighley will be proud of me.”

The quintet were chosen by Special Olympics bosses following the success of athletes from Keighley and Bradford in last summer’s Special Olympics National Games in Sheffield.

The athletes – who all have learning disabilities – regularly compete in regional Special Olympics competitions and attend training sessions overseen by Bradford Disability Sport and Leisure (BDSL).

BDSL manager Dean Carroll said: “We are delighted and proud to have five athletes and one coach from the Bradford district picked for Team Great Britain. It goes to show that hard work dedication and commitment pays off.

“We will be working hard over the next 12 months to raise the £16,000 needed to take the five athletes and coach to the games.”

James said he was looking forward to riding in the Equestrian games, while T-Jay added: “I hope my friends in Keighley will be proud of me.”

The athletes now have to raise around £3500 each to take part in the games, so BDSL is looking for sponsors, donations and any other help.

The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Keighley councillor Abid Hussain, launched the appeal for the athletes by meeting them on Friday February 16 in Shipley.

Anyone willing to help with the fundraising should contact BDSL funding officer Barry Thorne by emailing bsr1@btconnect.com or calling 07423 431629.

The Special Olympics World Games and the World Winter Games are each held every four years, and Keighley athletes have had success in previous competitions.

Farnhill figure skater Jenny Lee, 19, was part of the British team which competed in the Special Olympics World Winter Games last year in Austria.

In the 2016 games in Los Angeles, James Crossley from East Morton and Chris Woodhead from Haworth, brought back seven medals between them following their success in the powerlifting tournament.