Hi guys, I’m sure most of you who have so kindly clicked this link to see what is going on know me, but for those who are new, my name is Olivia Bowen. I’ve loved horses from a young age & have ridden since I was 10. I actually stopped riding at the age of 17, mainly because of the cost & time. A few years ago I took the plunge to get learning again at 27 years old, and I’ve never looked back. I have a beautiful horse named Dolly who is the apple of my eye, I have have had to battle my nerves & fear a lot so this is a huge, huge deal for me.

I am so honoured to have been asked to take part in the magnolia cup, my first reaction was WHAT followed by OMG and a few REALLY’s?!

Upon learning about the incredible charity Education Above All, supporting girls education in Malawi, I jumped at the opportunity & here I am, on my just giving page asking all of you gorgeous people to support me in this adventure.

As a woman who had unquestioned access to education and who enjoyed selecting subjects at school & in further education that suited me, it is imperative to me that we support a young girls opportunity to learn to then help create lasting changes. The skills we learn at a young age appear so basic as you grow older, but where would you be without them? I credit the way I talk, the way I hold myself & the way I approach life to our education system & the freedom it created. 

When you give a child the ability to learn & create & challenge themselves, you give them the chance to achieve an increased income, financial independence & they are much less likely to become child brides or to suffer from domestic violence. Learning to read, write and do sums quite simply helps the girls lead on to live healthier, longer lives. It helps to fight poverty. In Malawi, only 13% of girls complete upper secondary school & among the poorest children this falls to 2%.

We need to give these girls a better start to life, a better opportunity to thrive. 

Please help & support me do this as I prepare to ride in the Magnolia cup.