The rest’s conceivable, isn’t it?’ Rider whose leg used to be amputated wins Hickstead championship

A rider whose left leg used to be amputated 8 years in the past has taken most sensible honours within the Hickstead Global Enviornment – appearing that “the rest’s conceivable”.

Val Sheehan and Crimson Dove gained the cob championship on the Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby assembly, which earned them a spot on the Agria Royal Global Horse Display (23-28 July).

Val, who’s from Kantuck, Co Cork, however now lives in Kent, is joint-master of the East Kent Hunt. His leg used to be amputated after a driving coincidence.

“I needed to learn how to experience once more, however she’s very forgiving,” he mentioned of the eight-year-old mare. “However we’ve got to verify she rides neatly and is going for the experience pass judgement on, too, and that’s an artwork by itself. However she needs to do the task, and he or she smiles in the course of the bridle at all times.”

Val added that “Audrey” is “wonderful” to experience.

“We’ve had her since she used to be a two-year-old, and brought it very sluggish up up to now, however I in point of fact suppose she’s on the subject of to return into herself,” he mentioned. “However whilst a tender horse, she used to be particular. She has an enormous fan membership – everyone loves Audrey!

“She’s simply mild around the floor in all her paces. She doesn’t hit the bottom heavy; she drops into the gallop and simply rides actual mild and fluffy for a heavyweight cob. She’s simply fabulous around the floor – you’d need to hunt her all day, as they must be judged.”

For Val, an excessively skilled manufacturer of cobs, this prestigious win manner the entire extra after his go back to the saddle.

“To experience in the primary ring, to head champion – for any person with one leg, neatly, you don’t consider you’ll be able to ever do it, however the rest’s conceivable, isn’t it?” he mentioned.

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over 8 years running for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Keen about equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the trade, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage regulations to mules. Her recreation of selection is showjumping, during which she competes her personal horses, and he or she additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping presentations thru to global championships.