Opportunity to train with an Irish international 3* event rider!
Christa Dillon’s BLACKHILL EVENTING Presents –
A unique opportunity to train with Irish international 3* event rider Lindsay Graham at The Field Equestrian Centre, Stradbally on Sunday 7th August.
Lindsay is an excellent trainer and has vast experience, having competed up to 3* level. She is a consummate producer of young horses, and her upbeat and positive approach instils confidence in horses and riders alike. I speak from personal experience, Lindsay has turned things around for me. I know of many others like me who have been struggling with confidence and ineffective riding, who have made huge progress under Lindsay’s tutelage and who are now loving riding and competing again. Lindsay is sponsored by The Field Equestrian Centre, Whitstone Bedding And Animal Feed and Derrière Equestrian.
The Field Equestrian Centre is Ireland’s premier venue for schooling and educating horses. Facilities include a large all weather arena with a full set of showjumps, plus an all-weather cross country track with every imaginable type of fence. Owner Robert Owens is incredibly welcoming, and likes to make sure that everybody who uses The Field EC has a positive and enjoyable experience.
Lessons will be in groups of four and will last approx 1.5 hours. Riders will start off in the arena with some showjumping exercises, and will then go out onto the all-weather cross country track. Lessons will be grouped according to preferred jumping height and also the experience level of horse and rider. You should ideally be comfortable at 80cms. Green horses welcome, competent pony riders welcome. The cost is €40 per head. Tea, coffee and refreshments available on the day.
This event is also a fundraiser for Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony. The entire equestrian community has been simultaneously saddened and inspired by event rider Hannah Francis and her mascot, Willberry. Hannah received a terminal osteosarcoma diagnosis in 2015, at just 17 years of age. Instead of accepting her fate, Hannah has fought hard. She was given a small stuffed toy pony called Willberry as a mascot to support her when she began chemotherapy.
Hannah and Willberry have been on all sorts of adventures, raising money for charity and achieving remarkable things despite unbearable pain and sickness. Together, they have made sure that thousands of other people will benefit from their efforts. The running total raised so far is over £110,000 in just 12 months. Hannah has now set up her own charity-Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony-and funds will be used to fund both osteosarcoma research, and to grant the horsey-themed wishes of seriously ill people. We will have Willberry merchandise for sale on the day. Willberry hat silks and Procush whips are available from Uptown Eventing on line store. Willberry quarter markers are available from the website ‘countryfrog’.
We are asking event riders to donate prizes for a charity fundraiser on the day of the clinic. Signed items, lessons and yard visits are all very welcome prizes. We are also asking for donations of any description from anyone willing to provide them-anything from a bottle of wine to a holiday and all things in between are most welcome. Financial donations also taken. Let’s raise some dosh for this phenomenal girl and her charity. Putting aside her own bleak prognosis to work hard for others is a measure of the remarkable human being that is Hannah Francis. Please help us to help her leave a great legacy.
Please contact Christa to ask a question, book a place or donate a prize on 087 6648795. You can also email christadillon3@gmail.com
