Rachel's wish to meet a dancing horse, or two...
Rachel got in touch with Willberry to request a wish for her son Christopher, age 13 and her daughter Katie, age 7. Rachel has been diagnosed with terminal breast and liver cancer and wants to create as many special memories with her children as she possibly can.
As a family they have enjoyed reading The Blueberry Stories written by Carl Hester about Valegro. Rachel’s wish was for all of them to have a trip together to go and meet all the characters from the books at Carl Hester’s yard. Willberry thought this was a great idea for a wish and couldn’t wait to make it happen. These famous horses, riders and grooms can be pretty busy and difficult to get all in the same place at the same time but a date was soon set when everyone would be there for Rachel, Christopher and Katie to meet.
When everyone arrived they were able to watch Charlotte ride before being introduced to Valegro and Utopia by competition groom Alan Davies. They brought along some books to be signed and were also kindly given the latest book from The Blueberry Stories. Lots of selfies were taken and Ponderberry, of course, got in on the action as well.
The day after their visit to Carl’s yard Rachel, Christopher and Katie went to Badminton Horse Trials where they got to meet Ben Hobday and the legendary Mr Mulry. Mr Mulry was very excited to be at Badminton and was apparently channelling his inner Lipizzaner so they didn’t get too close! When Ben offered Katie a ride on the very energetic half Clydesdale she bravely said yes, to Rachel’s relief he was only joking! Ponderberry, however, did manage to get a ride in at Badminton – on a police horse, what a lucky berry pony.
