Journalist to jockey blog: my nerves are starting to jangle
The countdown to race day is on as there is less than two weeks to go...
Willberry Wonder Pony
Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony is an official charity set up by the late Hannah Francis. The successful young event rider was diagnosed with bone cancer in May 2015 and died, aged 18, on 1 August 2016.
The organisation was approved as a registered charity on 2 May 2016 and all funds raised by the charity go towards bone cancer research and granting horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses.
Hannah said at the time: “I am so proud to announce that finally Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony is an official charity.”
To date, Hannah’s charity has raised more than £100,000 through fundraising events and Willberry merchandise.
Among the current campaigns being run to raise funds for the charity is Wobbleberries – a challenge to encourage “middle-aged wimpy riders” to train to compete in a BE80 competition in memory of Hannah in late 2017. Andrew Hoy is among the top riders who have donated training to those taking part.
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From journalist to jockey: I’ve got myself possibly the coolest gig going...
Opportunities like these don’t come around often (or probably ever)...
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Hannah Francis’ legacy: Willberry Wonder Pony funds groundbreaking research
‘We’re immensely grateful to our tens of thousands of supporters for making this possible and this is just the beginning of our research funding’
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7 reasons you really need to be at Epsom for the Champions Willberry Charity Derby
Here are just a few reasons why you should be there, plus one incredible opportunity that would make your day a particularly memorable one…
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Willberry Wonder Pony cross-country fence created
The design won an equestrian centre’s competition to design a new jump
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From journalist to jockey: a serious wake up call
People look at me in horror when they find out I'm riding the Epsom Derby course
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‘Her spirit was with us’: Hannah Francis one-day event to return this summer
The second running of an unaffiliated horse trials held in memory of Willberry Wonder Pony founder Hannah Francis will be held in July
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Rider walks dog from Burghley to Badminton for Willberry Wonder Pony
The longest leg of the journey was 29 miles in one day
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From journalist to jockey: looking like a pillock
H&H's very own Gemma Redrup has started her training in earnest
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Rider to run 156 miles in the 50°C Sahara for Willberry
The amateur eventer is to take part in the ‘toughest foot race on earth’
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From journalist to jockey: ‘You? In a race? Going fast? Are you joking?’
Meet H&H journalist Gemma Redrup as she prepares for the race of her life
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'The thrill of a lifetime': line-up for Champions Willberry Charity Derby revealed
Find out who will be taking part in the race at Epsom over the same course and distance as the Derby
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‘Once in a lifetime opportunity’: applications open for Champions Willberry charity race
Find out how you can get involved with this race in aid of two great causes
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Rider to trek across Lapland in aid of Willberry Wonder Pony
The 24-year-old rider will be sledging 250km pulled along by a team of husky dogs in sub zero temperatures
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‘I won’t give up on my dream’: young rider wins Hannah Francis Award
The teenager has battled back from a head injury and acute appendicitis to complete her season's eventing
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Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity raises £1million
Hannah Francis’ legacy is ‘stronger than ever’ as Willberry donations smash through the £1million barrier
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Wobbleberries raise £250,000 in memory of Hannah Francis
The challenge is now an annual one, to allow more riders to take part
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Willberry Shetlands join mounted police on the beat in London
Londoners may have done a double take this morning (15 November 2017) when they spotted two pint-sized ponies on the beat in the capital
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‘I had the privilege of meeting Hannah’: legendary eventer becomes Wobbleberries patron
The challenge supports Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity, which was set up by the late Hannah Francis
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The Wobbleberries Challenge: three more riders to inspire us all
Three more inspirational Wobbleberries, including one aged 76, share their stories of how they achieved their challenge
