Applications are open for The Hannah Francis Award
Entries close for The Hannah Francis Award on Sunday 31st May 2026
For an Inspirational Young Eventer
The Hannah Francis Award was set up in 2016 to recognise and honour the inspirational person that Hannah was. Hannah's courage in personal adversity astounds us all, she was led by her dreams not her fears.
In 2015, Hannah Francis was diagnosed with osteosarcoma at the age of 17. Osteosarcoma is a rare form of bone cancer which typically affects children and young adults. Her diagnosis was terminal. Despite this horrific news, Hannah fought her illness with extraordinary courage and dignity, enduring months of appalling side effects from her treatment, as well as constant pain. Hannah an accomplished and talented horse rider who was destined for international recognition. Horses were Hannah’s life and she wanted to continue to ride and fulfil her bucket list. She wrote to many in the equestrian world who she visited and quite often got to ride their elite rides. Despite being in constant, excruciating pain and no longer able to walk, Hannah continued riding until the very end, even being invited to ride in Great Britain colours which was the proudest of moments.
Hannah was given a soft toy horse called Willberry The Wonder Pony shortly after her diagnosis. Hannah started to tell her arduous and deeply moving story through social media, using Willberry as her voice. Many began following her Instagram and Facebook pages and soon tens of thousands of people became aware of Hannah’s journey, from diagnosis through to the archaic and hopeless treatment regime she was forced to endure. Her memory and selflessness continues with the positive legacy she set up, Hannah's Willberry Wonder Pony Charity, which funds research into bone caner, particularly osteosarcoma and 'Willberry's Wishes', granting equine related wishes to seriously ill people.
Emma had been following Hannah’s journey on social media when an eventing friend contacted her to ask if she could think of anyone who would be able to set up an award for Hannah as she was so inspiring and doing so much for others and raising awareness. Emma couldn't think of anyone to approach to set up an award so decided to do it herself. She contacted an amazing local artist Amy Goodman, whose work she had seen displayed at Wellington Horse Trials. Amy had also been following Hannah’s journey and very kindly gave her services free of charge to create the most beautiful bronze of Hannah and her horse 'Mavis' jumping over a fence. Once Amy had created what was going to be the bronze out of clay it had to be cast, which required funding, Emma approached 10 companies who were keen to support the award and covered the cost of the bronze. Once finished, the bronze travelled to different events so that it could be seen by fellow eventers and supporters.
Devastatingly Hannah never got to see the finished bronze. Amy met her with a model of it to discuss exactly how she would like it be finished just a few days before Hannah passed away.
When the competition was first opened unsurprisingly a huge number of entries were for Hannah and it was awarded to her posthumously.
2024 HOLLY DENEGRI
2025 GRACE SMITH (Binky)
Thank you for your applications. Willberry has been incredibly moved by this year's applicants, whose talent, determination, and commitment have made the judging process exceptionally challenging. It will be a very difficult decision, and we thank you for your patience while we carefully consider each application.
