#InspiredbyHannah
flooded social media for very good reason. Hannah Francis inspired
thousands of people she never met, and not only achieved so much in her tragically short life, but has also left a legacy that continues to inspire and help people now. The Wobbleberry challenge is to raise money for the amazing charity she set up: Willberry Wonder Pony. Hannah's story is best read in her own words - please visit her charity's website (www.willberrywonderpony.org) to find out more about their work and what your money will be supporting.

The Wobbleberry challange is to compete in an affiliated British Eventing 80 Event in Autumn 2017. For none riders, this is is a three part event, combining dressage (dancing), show jumping, and cross country (jumping over solid obstacles at speed). This isn't just the normal pootling around having fun on horses. This needs fitness and skills that I don't currently have, and requires huge amounts of training.

A Wobbleberry is shy, elusive creature, whose natural habitat is spectating at horsey events and supporting other riders - not actually riding in them! Key characteristics of a Wobbleberry are:

• not currently fit enough to get round a cross country course
  
• not currently brave enough to get round a cross country course
  
• old enough to know better, and know that this will hurt!
• dedicated - to raising money, to training, and conquering the fear

On seeing this challenge - I could resonate with all of these characteristics. In particular THE FEAR, as I have always been terrified of jumping. However, I have recently aquired a really awesome horse (Lucy), who loves jumping and is giving me huge amounts of confidence.

For those of you who aren't horsey, please understand that this is a genuine challenge. There is a serious element of risk in eventing to both horse and rider, and so there are a whole host of reasons why I might not actually be able to complete a BE 80 before next Autumn. It's going to take a huge amount of time, effort, and financial input, not just from me but also from my endlessly patient other half, and from the incredibly supportive network of people on my yard. However, I am inspired by Hannah Francis, and I'm going to try something that I never thought I would ever do.

Please offer your support in anyway you can. It doesn't have to be through a financial donation - I will greatly appreciate messages of encouragement, smiling faces at competitions/training sessions, and picking up off the floor and feeding wine and chocolate when I've fallen on my face.

Thank you!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.