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The Noah's Ark Appeal

Iona’s Challenge for The Children's Hospital for Wales, The Noah's Ark Appeal

See http://www.itv.com/wales/back-in-the-saddle-for-the-noahs-ark-appeal27612/  to view recent ITV coverage of Iona's 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.

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.     

if you need more information on the Event and the Charity. Please do look at http://www.glanuskeventing.com/ and also http://www.noahs-ark-appeal.org/

Business's  Sponsoring Iona's Challenge

Horze
www.horze.com
Producers of all horse equipment and clothing 

Racesafe
www.treehouseonline.co.uk
Body protectors, cross country colours, horse racing silks, riding hats, paddock sheets

Hiscox
www.hiscox.com
Insurance

box-it
http://www.boxit.co.uk/box-it-wales-and-severn.asp -
Documents are our business

welovekit
www.psmsportswear.co.uk/
Manufacturers of Embroidered, Screenprinted Sportswear, Leisurewear, Workwear & Promotional Clothing

Balfours with Berringtons
www.berringtons.com
The Property Professionals