Equestrians transfer saddles for running shoes to tackle London Marathon


  • Riders and supporters of the equestrian international will likely be pounding the streets of the capital within the TCS London Marathon on Sunday (21 April) to lift cash for charity.

    Pupil Emily Sensible, 21, will likely be operating for Hannah’s Willberry Marvel Pony Charity in reminiscence of its founder and her pal, Hannah Francis.



    A spokesman for the charity mentioned it has “so much to thank Emily for”.

    “No longer most effective is she tackling this almighty problem, on best of operating Tub Part Marathon for us a couple of weeks in the past, she performed an enormous function in Hannah and Willberry’s adventure in combination,” mentioned the charity.

    “Jayne, Emily’s mum, was once Hannah’s celebrity showjumping trainer. Following Hannah’s prognosis in early Would possibly 2015, Jayne and Emily were given scratching their heads at Badminton Horse Trials looking for a mascot to assist Hannah with #kickingcancersbutt.

    “That’s once they discovered Willberry, and neatly as they are saying, the remaining is historical past…Excellent good fortune. Group Willberry will likely be cheering you on!”

    Grand prix dressage rider Katie Williamson is switching boots for running shoes to run for Age UK. That is her 2d London Marathon and she or he has additionally up to now run the Paris version.

    “I’m very excited to be doing it once more,” she mentioned. “It has essentially the most superb environment – rainbow flags all over in the most productive techniques. It’s the dressage display of the operating international!”

    Most sensible groom Katie Dutton, head lady for Bubby Upton, is operating in help of the St John Ambulance.

    Final Friday, Kelly Jewell, a freestyle tune manufacturer at Equidance, was once competing on the NAF 5 Famous person Iciness Dressage Championships – this Sunday, she will likely be taking at the 26.2-mile path to lift cash for her native hospice.

    Ruth Chappell, founding father of Dressage Anyplace, is collaborating for the Roy Fortress Lung Most cancers Basis in reminiscence of her mom. Dressage Anyplace may be operating an internet charity display to improve her fundraising efforts.

    Additionally flying the dressage flag are novice dressage rider Tracy Davidson, who’s operating for Maggie’s Most cancers Care Charity, and dressage trainer and rider Annie Brooker. Annie will likely be operating in help of the Meningitis Analysis Basis (MRF), in honour of her brother who was once recognized with the illness at 18 months previous – he’s now 36 and anticipating his first child quickly.

    “After weeks of relentless coaching across the steepest of nation lanes, and harm after harm, I’ve exceeded my fundraising goal of £2,000, and feature raised just about £2,500 for MRF, which is solely incredible!” mentioned Annie.

    Tournament rider Thomas Vicary, 23, who has competed as much as three-star, is operating for Hospiscare in reminiscence of his grandmother Joan.

    Rider Sarah Carter is taking to her toes to lift cash for the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which stored her younger daughter’s lifestyles at a display in 2023 following a freak twist of fate.

    “I will be able to be endlessly indebted to their improve,” she mentioned. “I’m totally humbled via the improve I’ve won and feature raised simply shy of £10,000 for this important useful resource, specifically within the equestrian international.”

    Beginner tournament rider Jenny Rowlinson will likely be operating whilst pushing her supportive dad, David, in a wheelchair, to lift cash for Myositis UK.

    “Despite the fact that at the beginning no longer horsey, my dad didn’t have a call after assembly my mum!” mentioned Jenny, who can also be operating together with her spouse, Jonny.

    “He used to come back to each unmarried display with me and was once so supportive, even travelling throughout from Guernsey each weekend to observe when I moved to the United Kingdom.

    “Travelling may be very tricky now, as are horse occasions in a wheelchair, so he can’t come to any extent further to observe however nonetheless assessments Eventing Ratings religiously right through the day if I’m out competing.”

    Fellow tournament rider Jaide Hartridge mentioned the icing on her marathon cake “could be a private very best”.

    “I’m a in point of fact willing runner, and a passionate eventer,” mentioned Paige, for whom this will likely be her fourth marathon.

    “I competed in Osberton two-star final October which was once 3 weeks earlier than the Amsterdam marathon – that was once an enjoy doing a protracted period run after my dressage take a look at, after which a protracted 30km run the day after pass nation!!

    “My objective for London is to have an absolute blast and take the entire environment in, the icing at the cake could be a PB, however we will be able to see the way it is going!”

    Theresa Holmes is operating her 7th marathon, and is supporting the Pals of the Dartmoor Hill Pony.

    Anna Rainbow were given are compatible via following hounds on foot with a digital camera. She is operating for PSPA, which helps other people with revolutionary supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, in reminiscence of her mum, who presented Anna to ponies as a four-year-old regardless of being petrified of them herself.

    Paige l’Anson is operating for Phab, which helps disabled and non-disabled adults and kids.

    Rider Elise Foster is taking at the problem for Leonard Cheshire Believe, which helps other people with disabilities.

    “I’m a rider via nature, on the other hand I’ve been operating for the previous seven years, and love the group and freedom of operating,” she mentioned.

    “I additionally to find that operating takes the drive off my horses, and makes my using higher. It’s a balancing act including marathon coaching to the combo, however it may be accomplished, and it’s so just right to your psychological well being.”

    Heather Timmis will likely be operating within the championship pen, whilst wearing a strapped-up damaged finger after a leaping fall final week. Alison O’Connor, who has a five-year-old retrained racehorse, is collaborating in help of the Blue Go.

    A couple of gold medal-winning Paralympian Sophie Christiansen’s fiancé, Peter McKnight, is a part of the staff operating in help of the Using for the Disabled Affiliation, as is Fabian Williams, referred to as the Blessed Equestrian.

    Andrew Sallis and Gareth Watchman are amongst the ones operating for the Geographical region Alliance Basis’s flagship mission, Fishing for Faculties.

    Roddy Bannister is operating for The Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice – an end-of-life, palliative care facility in Oxenhope, North Yorkshire.

    Ralph Richardson is operating for Halow Undertaking, a Guildford-based charity that helps other people elderly 16 and over with studying disabilities and autism on their adventure into grownup lifestyles.

    Groups also are operating for primary equestrian charities, together with Brooke, Global Horse Welfare, Racing Welfare, and extra.

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