Wobbly Riders Come Together for Hannah Francis Willberry Wonder Pony Charity

Wobbly Riders Come Together for Hannah Francis Willberry Wonder Pony Charity

Earlier this year four, self-confessed, middle-aged ‘wobbly’ riders came together with an idea that captured the imagination of the eventing community and one that would raise thousands of pounds for Hannah Francis’ Willberry Wonder Pony charity.

The aptly named Wobbleberries Challenge is aimed at eventing enthusiasts rarely seen in the saddle but on the side-lines, cheering, supporting and spectating, to challenge themselves to take part in a British Eventing BE80(T) event in 2017 and raise lots of money along the way.

With registration now closed nearly 1,200 people have signed up for the mission raising an incredible £63,000 so far and British Eventing are proud to announce their support of the Wobbleberry recruits as they take their journey to a BE80(T) competition next year.

All registered participants will receive a free Training Pass, once they have purchased a Day Pass Membership, along with a digital ‘How to start eventing guide’ (Registered Wobbleberry participants will be contacted in due course with details of how to obtain their free Training Pass). Plus to ensure all Wobbleberry riders are easily identifiable during their BE80(T) the Wobbleberries Challenge will be given a complimentary Company Supporter Membership so we will see Wobbleberry logos gracing saddle pads, hat silks and cross country colours at events up and down the country in 2017.

In addition the BE Charitable Foundation Try Eventing taster days are the perfect introduction for riders who are yet to experience a BE competition, and the BE Regional Development Officers and Wobbleberries’ regional teams are busy ensuring that there are training sessions throughout the country where they will be encouraged to take part to help them get set for their task ahead. Open to non-members, the day delivers a complete guide of what to expect from an experienced BE Accredited Coach, training in all three disciplines in one day and advice on how to prepare you and your horse including things such as fitness, feeding and studding up.

Hannah, a talented young event rider, started Willberry Wonder Pony charity following her diagnosis with an aggressive form of bone cancer and has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the research into cancer and fulfilling the wishes of other terminally ill people. Inspired by her tireless dedication the founders of the Wobbleberries Challenge, Sally Barr, Georgie Horrell, Julia Godbold and Sam Elms set up the challenge to continue Hannah’s work in her memory after she sadly passed away this August.

It is hoped that the initiative will not only raise a lot of money for the charity but also inspire and encourage more people to face and overcome their own challenges, and for the Wobbleberry community that is getting into the saddle, getting fit and heading out on to a BE80(T) cross country course.

More information can be found on the Wobbleberries Challenge website HERE.

Details on British Eventing Training & Education, the BE Charitable Foundation and how to get started in the sport can be found on the BE website.

Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.