If you have ever dreamt of competing against top Olympians such as Nick Skelton and Tina Cook – now is your chance.
Members of the public are invited to apply to take part in a charity race at Cheltenham, held in aid of Hannah Francis’ Willberry Wonder Pony Charity and The Bob Champion Cancer Trust.
Before her death earlier this year, Hannah Francis expressed a wish to have a charity race run to raise funds for the Willberry Wonder Pony Charity she set up.
The charity has teamed up with one of racing’s most famous cancer survivors, Bob Champion and The Bob Champion Cancer Trust, and now Hannah’s dream is to come to fruition.
A one-off flat race, to be called The Champions Willberry Charity Race, will be held at Prestbury Park on Thursday 20 April 2017.
Six celebrities will ride in the race including Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton, Olympic silver medallist Tina Cook and top eventer Ben Hobday, who battled cancer at the same time as Hannah. William Fox-Pitt – or his wife Alice – will also take part in the race.
Six other riders from the general public will be chosen to race alongside these equestrian greats. Applications are open now and will close on Monday 5 December 2017.
If you fancy taking part, you must be over 18, a competent rider, can pledge to raise more than £2,500 and be able to source your own horse.
“Hannah Francis was a brave and inspirational person and I was fortunate enough to have met her,” says Bob Champion, who famously recovered from cancer and went on to win the 1981 Grand National on Aldaniti.
“I feel honoured that The Bob Champion Cancer Trust can celebrate her life with the Champions Willberry Charity race, linking the charity she set up as her legacy with The Bob Champion Cancer Trust. I hope that everyone gets behind supporting us whether this is by applying to ride, attending the lunch, sponsorship, donations or prizes, so we can raise much needed funds for both Charities.”
Visit www.championswillberry.org.uk for all the details.