Siobhan got in touch to tell us about this amazing little girl called Esmae, who has had a very tough time with treatment for a brain tumour.  Devastatingly, Esmae has lost her sight due to the location of the tumour.  Willberry immediately got his thinking cap on.  What could he do for Esmae?  He was told she wanted to meet a pony and, as Esmae has an older sister, Darcy, and brother, Kaedon, Willberry was extra keen to see multiple smiles on this ‘Willberry’s Wish’.

Of course, Doris, Hannah’s miniature Shetland, was a must, just the right height for Esmae to have special pony cuddles and feel her silky mane.  Mmm, but who else could come to the party?!  Vicki kindly offered Bilbo, their beloved pony whom Hannah used to teach at Pony Club, PERFECT, though Willberry wasn’t sure how Bilbo would feel about coming out of retirement!

Everything was planned and Kelly (Esmae’s mum) thought it may be easier for Esmae if we went to their house in Langford………. but then the rain came, the forecast was dismal, and Esmae really doesn’t like rainy days anymore, so we had to work fast and find a solution because Willberry simply couldn’t have Esmae, Darcy and Kaedon disappointed.  He had promised.  All the equine centres were booked in the region, so Willberry put his hoof senses to good use and did a recce of Langford to find a school at the University of Bristol, Langford Vets.  They very kindly let us use their indoor school which saved the day – thank you to Steph and all at University of Bristol for being so kind and generous.

The rain was pouring as Esmae arrived with her family, but everyone perked up when we went into the school.  Doris and Bilbo waited excitedly to meet everyone.  Esmae was so brave – the sand in the school was a little uneven but nothing was going to stop her from touching the ponies.  What an amazing little girl – her senses so in tune, her hands touching Doris, she felt her mane and then wanted to feel Bilbo.  Darcy was very nervous of the ponies, but Kaedon wasn’t.  He was full of energy and then decided he liked running, so began to run around and around the school.  Soon he thought it would be more fun to race a pony!!  Now Doris loves a race ...

                                      

 And Esmae didn’t want to miss out either!

Willberry brought a lovely picnic, so after a number of snack breaks it was always quickly back to the ponies.  After a while, Esmae thought she would like to sit on the ponies, first Doris and then Bilbo.  Doris’s walk was a bit forward going and she preferred Bilbo’s laid-back attitude. 

She enjoyed every minute with the ponies, going from one to another, feeling, touching, smelling, and then riding.

Esmae is an amazing, unstoppable, courageous little girl; we are so pleased to have been able to bring lots of smiles for you and your family 💓

Thank you to Victoria Clare Photography for generously joining us and taking such beautiful photographs, and to Vicki and Jayne for giving up their day and allowing Bilbo to join the party! 💓💓