A rider’s grit and resolution has shone via as she has battled in opposition to a debilitating genetic situation en path to a spot on the 2023 Royal Global (RIHS) ultimate along with her home-produced horse, Diptford Birdsong.
Hannah Whelan, 19, and her intermediate contender Diptford Birdsong (Rupert), a 10-year-old by means of Barkway Overture, secured their Lovely Polly price ticket at BSPS Space 2B the place in addition they took reserve within the phase championship.
Hannah, who has ridden ponies all her existence, has a genetic situation known as SPG7 (spastic paraplegia sort 7) that is affecting her mobility and reasons muscle spasticity in her hips and legs. She additionally suffers from persistent complicated PTSD, melancholy and anxiousness.
Hannah is not any stranger to the RIHS, having competed on the ultimate on her colored pony SOS Rustic Purple (Esso) a number of instances. Hannah was once because of trip Esso finally 12 months’s ultimate, however her appearing profession was once quickly placed on grasp as her well being declined.
“Hannah went into health center in September and didn’t pop out for 3 and a part months,” explains her mom, Lisa Whelan. “She’d long gone in for a regimen operation, however she ended up being placed on a ventilator in extensive care. She had over 1000 seizures all over her time in health center and she or he was once wheelchair sure. She was once informed that she may by no means trip once more, which was once devastating as her ponies are her primary love in existence. It was once completely heartbreaking.”
All the way through her health center stint and past, Hannah underwent intense neurophysiotherapy and neuropsychology to learn how to stroll once more.
“Hannah’s ponies are primarily based with Esther Horsfall of Shaw Farm Equestrian who has been so improbable in our adventure,” says Lisa. “Esther retrained each horses and labored with Hannah to get her again into the saddle. Hannah’s decision was once incredible, even though we by no means anticipated her to get again into the hoop. However whilst you inform Hannah she will be able to’t do one thing, she’s going to all the time do her highest to do it anyway! All the way through her early days of driving once more, she would have seizures whilst she was once sitting on a horse. She needed to start by means of having a 5 minute stroll within the area, slowly construction it again up.
“Now, she’s been seizure loose for over 4 months, and whilst there were demanding situations and tears, Hannah is repeatedly pushing herself. Her ponies have given her the foundation to hold on and stay going.”
Hannah certified for this 12 months’s RIHS ultimate with Diptford Birdsong on her 3rd day out of the 12 months, as Lisa explains: “All the way through the warm-up Hannah felt in poor health and whilst I attempted to influence her now not to enter the category, she mentioned was once adamant to do it. She was once pulled in best and after a foot-perfect display she stayed in first place. Only for Hannah to get again into the hoop was once an success, so we by no means anticipated to be going to Hickstead this 12 months; it’s a dream come true.”
You may also be eager about:
Credit score: Reader symbol
Rotherwood Flight Of Fancy gained the RIHS in 2003 and HOYS in 2009 as a 148cm display pony
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Long term
Horse & Hound mag, out each and every Thursday, is full of the entire newest information and stories, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. In finding how you’ll be able to experience the mag delivered for your door each and every week, plus choices to improve your subscription to get admission to our on-line provider that brings you breaking information and stories in addition to different advantages.