Earlier this year, we opened nominations for The Hannah Francis Award – a beautiful bronze trophy created to honour inspirational young eventers, just like Hannah.

We received so many wonderful nominations this year, with LOTS of incredible stories of young people showing huge amounts of courage, grit and determination. It was a very difficult job choosing just one winner, and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to nominate someone special ❤️

We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2026 Hannah Francis Award is Mila ⭐

The presentation has been a little tricky to arrange, but Willberry got there in the end, with a little help from Kitty King and Cornbury Horse Trials.

On Thursday 10th September, we made our way to the amazing Cornbury Horse Trials. The sun was shining, and what a wonderful venue it was!

Mila came along with her mum, Eve, her sister Aria, her Nana June and her Pony Club DC, Anne.  We were also delighted to be joined by Emma Cover, who founded the Hannah Francis Award, making it even more special to have her there to celebrate with us.

We all met up with Kitty, and Mila was soon telling her all about her horses.  Kitty was competing at Cornbury and very kindly invited us to walk the cross-country course with her. 

We were quite a large party so Kitty, Mila and Willberry were the only ones allowed inside the ropes!  Willberry insisted on tagging along to make sure Kitty was giving the correct advice 😉 

   

You could see Mila soaking up every piece of information as they walked the course together. It was a very special opportunity for a young rider who absolutely loves eventing.

Then it was time for the presentation!  The adults enjoyed some bubbles, while Willberry, Mila and Aria had the very important job of drinking the OJ! 🥂🍊

Fifteen-year-old Mila is an incredibly inspiring young rider whose determination, resilience and love of horses shine through everything she does.

Mila has lived with complex health challenges since birth and has faced more hospital appointments, procedures and uncertainty than most young people could ever imagine.  Her conditions affect several areas of her health, including her spine, lungs, digestive system and eyesight, and she lives with significant pain.  She has also faced the frightening possibility of losing her sight.

Yet, despite everything she has been through, Mila refuses to let her health define her.

Horses have always been at the heart of Mila’s life.  She has been riding since she was just two years old and has dreamed of eventing since she was eight.  Her determination to keep riding and competing, even when her body makes things incredibly difficult, is truly remarkable.

Mila has achieved so much in the saddle.  She has competed successfully in Pony Club, NSEA, British Riding Clubs and British Eventing

But it isn't simply Mila's achievements that make her so deserving of the Hannah Francis Award.

It is the way she approaches every challenge.

Her mum describes Mila as someone who “never lets on” just how difficult things can be.She doesn't want to be seen as different, and she simply gets on with things.  But as she has grown older, Mila has begun to recognise that what she has faced can be a source of strength and perhaps even inspiration to others.

And that is something we believe Hannah would have understood completely.

Mila's determination is incredible, but perhaps what is most special about her is that, despite everything she faces herself, she is always there to support other people. She is humble, kind and encouraging, and her mum says this is one of the things she finds most amazing about her.

We are incredibly proud to present Mila with the Hannah Francis Award.

   

James and Rachel were both incredibly moved by Mila’s nomination. So many of the things her mum had written about her resonated deeply with us and reminded us of Hannah – her determination, her love of horses, her refusal to give up, and the way she continues to support and encourage others despite everything she faces herself.

All of these qualities embody so much of what this award represents. Just like Hannah, Mila shows us that even when life throws the most difficult challenges your way, you can keep moving forward, keep dreaming and keep believing.

Mila, we hope you know just how inspiring you are. ❤️🐴

A huge thank you to Kitty King Eventing, Cornbury Horse Trials and Meg McCoy Media ❤️