Iona Legge-Bourke for The Children's Hospital for Wales, The Noah's Ark Appeal 

I raised a total of £23,000 for this amazing charity so a big thank you to you all for being so generous.

What happened...I did the dressage and got 42 points and the main thing is I didn’t forget the routine having never had the practice of doing one before, ever.  The average is about 35, so at least I was under 50 which is what I wanted.    The show jumping had a viewing gallery like “Murray Mount” and the commentator was very inspiring and probably spoke too soon as I had 2 down towards the end which were my fault.  I did the one thing I was told not to do, I looked back after I hit the gate and wasn’t prepared for the big spread which came down too!   I had only just been told not to do it as well!   

The cross country was the most nerve racking.   I was kitted with all the latest safety equipment, so very kindly donated to me.   My grey pony Merlin was a star – we refused the trachana in full view again of everyone, and I did think that it was going to be all over.  But we got over the second attempt to huge cheers, which was just so lovely to hear, and all other 18 fences whooshed by.   I had a big smile at the end of it and am so pleased that I got round safely and didn’t do too badly.    The most wonderful thing is that I can give something back to this hospital who gave something so very special to Harry and me.

So from me to you, a huge thank you for helping me raise money for the children of today and tomorrow who might need a little help along the way. 

I sent a thank you to you all for your generous support which I hope you all received.

 
Original detail about the challenge:-

When our daughter Serena was born in 2008, she had a condition that affects 1 in 20,000 new born babies called laryngomalacia.  In her case it was severe.   This affected her eating and breathing and resulted in 3 major operations and being tube fed for 8 months.    It is thanks to the doctors, nurses and consultants at the Children's Hospital for Wales, based in Cardiff, that she is the most amazing little girl she is today.   This hospital, opened in 2005, is the only one of its type for children in Wales, so I want to give something back to them for the care they gave Serena. 

International Velvet!!
Five months ago, I had a spare moment and watched International Velvet!   This gave me inspiration and I decided that after 25 years out of the saddle, I was going to get back in it!  I’m going to have a go at dressage, cross country and show jumping for the Noah's Ark Appeal for this hospital.  I am competing at the Glanusk International Horse Trials on 3rd July (the Event runs 30th June to 3rd July).   Initially, I was intending just to do the cross country, but have been told that I should really take part in full, so I am doing the lot – having never done anything other than one gymkhana in my life before!

My training is going well with the help of Sophie Price who got me back on a horse earlier this year.  It has been her encouragement all along that I know I can do this.   I am especially grateful to Milo Herbert who’s horse I’m riding, Merlin and to his parents Sara and Ben.  I ride every day with Shelley Timms, who is amazing and with her experience and positivity, I am enjoying practicing as much as I can and learning a lot!   Every day is a new challenge, I have forgotten what its like to learn something new at my age!

I can’t deny that I have worried a lot about this – having to learn to ride all over again; jump, which I have never done before, and then of course learn a dressage test let alone do it.   I am also fully aware that this is a dangerous sport and it is not without its risks…so this is a huge challenge for me.
 
I would so like to achieve this goal to help children like Serena and any support you can give me would be amazing.  Also if you are around on the day, please do come and support me and the rest of our fabulous team who have helped me get where I will be on the day.     
 
Please do look at http://www.glanuskeventing.com/ and also http://www.noahs-ark-appeal.org/  if you need more information on the Event and the Charity.

A big thank you from me and Serena!