Hannah Francis was in the hearts and minds of everyone at Bolesworth CSI **** International on Saturday evening. Teenager Hannah, an event rider, is battling a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer, but her spirit and courage has inspired the world of equestrian sport. She set up a registered charity called Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony to raise funds for research and treatment of bone cancers, and it has so far raised a substantal six-figure amount. Riding with Besberry - the showjumping equivalent of the Willberry teddy horse - on his arm, Jay Halim won the invitational knockout class, sponsored by IFX International Foreign Exchange. Jay then announced that he would be donating half his prize money to the Willberry charity, and that gesture was matched by Bolesworth show president Nina Barbour. "It is a great charity," Jay said. "Shane Breen was carrying the pony at the start, then I took it on. I have donated half my prize money to the charity, which is the right thing to do, and Nina will match that, which is fantastic."
