Last year I started the New Year on a positive and set up 7 goals to achieve in 2020.  One of them was to find a horse to loan.   Not only did I find my forever horse but I brought him in July 2020.  

Joey is ISH Connemara/ID he is 16h.  His competing name is Croga Boy, which is 'Brave Boy' in Irish.  Joey is now 8 years old and the most kindest and honest horse you could ever meet.   

We moved yards recently and Joey has settled in well and we are now concentrating on dressage and jumping lessons.  I am hoping that in the next month I can have a go at going around an xc course this was one of my 7 goals last year.   I  am excited for the future as Joey has given me so much confidence already.  

Our aim is to complete the BE80T next year. 

Please sponsor me to help raise lots of money for this fantastic charity and will help towards finding a cure for Bone Cancer.  

This was the start of our journey 4 years ago, it now continues with Joey. 

Update: 

Very sadly last year 2020 Henry was put to sleep, I was heartbroken, but I was comforted by the fact that he lived out his years being looked after and retired with his girlfriend Ellie who also sadly is not with us anymore.  Sleep well, my handsome boy. 

Our story from the beginning 

Henry came into my life 9 years ago, he was a 16h 1 ex hunter and very experienced horse. A friend called and said will you take him on,  she had too many horses already, and I thought yeah let's go for it. It was love at first sight, but with one big problem, I hadn't ridden for nearly 30 years, and then not much just the odd hack out with friends. 

Henry and I have had an interesting journey so far, moving from Berkshire to Devon.  I've taken two falls and almost lost any confidence I had.   When I read Hannah's story it was so inspirational I decided to take on the challenge of the BE80.   Not only will I be raising money for a fantastic charity but it will help me build back my confidence in riding him again. 

UPDATE: 

Over the past year, I have achieved more than I thought I would, we entered our 1st Dressage test together in January and came 6th out of 11 riders, our 1st rosette. Then in March we entered a small show jumping competition,  the height was 55/60cms,  and we got 2 clear rounds, coming again 6th out of 9 riders.   But we always knew that this challenge was going to be demanding, especially as Henry is 22 years old. and has previously had a tough life enduring Hunter Trials and a Hunting life.  Recently I learned that Henry has 'Side bones'. We did change our challenge to compete in a BD test, but over the past few weeks, I noticed that Henry was very uncomfortable.  So a couple of weeks ago I took the decision to retire him completely.   He will live out the rest of his years in 5* comfort, at the same yard he is now, and loves. 

As for the Challenge, in September 2016 I took on the challenge to complete the BE80T to raise lots of money for such a worthy cause and fantastic charity, I will now continue with my quest to complete the BE80T.  1st step is to find a horse! :-) 

Please sponsor me to help raise lots of money for this fantastic charity and will help towards finding a cure for Bone Cancer.