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So I have joined up (with Fly) to be a Cornish Wobbleberry & take part in the "Wobbleberry Challenge" - The challenge is to compete in a British Eventing 80cm One Day Event (BE80) by Autumn 2017!! This is a challenge because it consists of riding a dressage test, a course of showjumps at 80cm in height & a cross country course at 80cm in height (all in one day!)  Some of you will say "but you & Fly compete at this height, & higher, on a regular basis....!!" Yes, we do! But this isn't a local riding club competition (which is classed as unaffiliated) This is a BE (British Eventing) event - which is affiliated!! For non-horsey people this means a slightly higher level/standard of competition - the competition is governed by BE, with dressage judges who are trained, course builders who are accredited & courses that are built to certain standards & are more technically challenging - in other words I have to ride....well!!  There is a lot more to it with memberships, prize money & points to qualify for bigger things (& the possibility of eventually competing internationally!) but that's the general idea.

Since getting Fly as a yearling (& backing her myself) competing at affiliated level has always been an aim of mine, even more so after her nasty trailer accident last year in which I thought I may lose her - life is for living & grabbing opportunities when they arise.  I want to push myself (& her) to be good enough to compete at a more "professional" level, to learn & improve ourselves, to go out of our comfort zone & become better - to better ourselves whilst pursuing a dream & raising money for a worthy charity.

There is a huge variety of many like-minded people around the country who have all pledged to take part in this challenge.  The "Wobbleberry's" (as we are collectively known!) are doing so to raise money for a charity.  A charity that was set up by an amazingly brave & inspiring young lady called Hannah Francis.  Hannah at the age of 17 was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a very aggressive form of bone cancer.  Sadly, just 18 months after her diagnosis, Hannah lost her fight, in August 2016.

Hannah was an aspiring eventer who dreamed of riding for GB one day & competing under GB colours.  At the start of her diagnosis Hannah's friend (& instructor) bought her a cuddly toy pony, Willberry Wonder Pony, as a mascot, to be with Hannah throughout her cancer treatment.  

With Willberry by her side Hannah fulfilled many of her "bucket list" wishes, including riding under the GB colours!!  When people started donating to Hannah (& Willberry) for things like wigs & important medical equipment, she decided she wanted to help other people who were in the same situation as herself.  As Hannah & Willberry told their story they took the equestrian community & social media by storm, with international event rider Ben Hobday (who himself has fought cancer) even taking Willberry around the famous Badminton Horse Trials cross country course, tucked in his body protector! 

Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony Charity was then set up, with Ben becoming the charity patron.  The charity now raises money for research into bone cancer (& in particular osteosarcoma), grants "Willberry's Wishes" - which are equine related wishes for seriously ill people & their families & most of all continues to carry on Hannah's legacy of #kickingcancersbutt!!

So thank you for taking the time to read my story, I hope you can support me in my pledge to push myself out of my comfort zone & prove to myself (& others) that I can achieve anything that I set my mind to, all while raising money for an amazing charity.  I will post regular updates on here & on Facebook so please give generously!! Thank you! Xxx

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