Clare Reeves contacted Willberry’s Wishes in November 2017.  In April 2017 she was diagnosed with a grade three triple negative breast cancer.  She was only aware of her condition when her little mare began nudging her breast every day, and she realised she had a lump.  She has undergone a double mastectomy and hysterectomy, but apart from her young family her focus throughout was being able to get back to riding her little mare Frankie.  Frankie was very green and so one of Clare’s Wishes on her list was to have a sympathetic instructor who could help her and Frankie gain confidence together with the big goal to ride around a Wobbleberry event.

Willberry found a wonderful instructor James McCullough and arranged for ten lessons to fit in with Clare’s chemotherapy and operations over the Spring and Summer months.  James helped them enormously and gave her the confidence to finally compete in her first Wobbleberry event in September, where she successfully completed all three elements and was absolutely elated just like Willberry!

 Being the Wonder Pony he is, Willberry also managed to link Clare up with the showjumping legend, Nick Skelton. Clare headed to his yard and was treated to an amazing day there, with Nick showing Clare around all the yards, hosting a yummy lunch and even a tour of his son’s racing yard and the gallops in his mini Moke! 

Clare is an incredibly tough, positive girl who has fought her way through a dreadful time, whilst fund raising for Willberry at the same time.  She is enjoying good health now and is going from strength to strength on Frankie.

Bring on the 2019 season! 

Willberry recently received a wish for Amelie - at just 12 years old she has already taken part in one of the biggest battles, facing a malignant brain tumour. 

A girl after Hannah's heart, Amelie’s first choice was a visit to see Carl Hester. Willberry certainly didn't blame her for wanting to meet the main man himself.  

Willberry couldn't wait to get going with this wish and sprung into action. With a bit of his Wonder Pony magic he got in touch with Carl who (as ever) kindly opened the doors for Amelie to come and visit.

Once Carl was back from winning medals in WEG, a date was set in the diary...16^th October.  Amelie and her mum, Lisa, excitedly made their way to Glewstone Court Hotel near Ross-on-Wye, after all the last thing Willberry wanted was for them to have to face a long travel on the morning of being granted a special wish!!

After much anticipation the day of the wish finally arrived. Much to Willberry's relief his mission was a success, Amelie had an absolutely fantastic time.

Lisa kindly wrote - “I have to say, we had the most magical time, Carl, Alan and Valegro were just brilliant, Amelie could not believe her luck when Carl asked if she would like to ride Valegro! If you’re going to ride bareback for the first time, do it with style!!!  Needless to say, Amelie has been on cloud nine ever since”. We reckon there was two Wonder Ponies working their magic with this wish... 

Willberry would like to extend a massive thank you to Carl, Alan and Valegro for making Amelie’s day so special.

Willberry received a request for a wish from Vicki's mum Janette.  Janette wanted Vicki to have a day full of smiles and fun, a day where she could escape the four white walls of hospital that her incurable breast cancer has led her to.   

What was her wish? To attend the Investec Derby Festival 2018! Willberry could't wait to grant this one. 

At the age of just 11 years old bullying had a devastating effect on the young life of Annabelle Tomlinson. It triggered her to develop Anorexia Nervosa, the diagnosis of which wasn’t reached until a year later when her weight had plummeted from 52kg to 27kg, which meant Annabelle had to spend several months in hospital.

Whilst dealing with the psychological battle against her Anorexia Nervosa, sadly Annabelle’s first pony was put to sleep. She was lovingly and bravely by his side when the time came to say goodbye. In an effort to put a smile back on Annabelle’s face her parents got front row seats at the Liverpool International Horse Show, but disaster was to strike. The fire that engulfed the car park destroyed the families car. To add to the misfortune some of Anabelle’s Christmas presents were in the car and more devastatingly her life long companion and comforter, soft toy Derek.  

As soon as Willberry heard what had happened to Annabelle he sent her a Berry Pony to try and provide some of the companionship and comfort that was lost with her beloved Derek. Annabelle’s wish was to have a lesson with Olympian and show jumping legend John Whitaker!

Wand at the ready, Willberry got to work. As busy as John is, he kindly put time aside for Annabelle, but as the day of her lesson got closer Annabelle became poorly with flu and tonsillitis! Willberry frantically waved his wand to try and make her feel better but it was Annabelle’s determination that got her there on the day. Annabelle was a superstar during her lesson and her pony Jack was on his best behavior. Equestrian Photographer Adam Fanthorpe kindly donated his time and talent to capture some wonderful pictures of the lesson for Annabelle to keep.

Annabelle’s mum Sarah said that the Willberry Wish experience has had a really positive effect on Annabelle and since her lesson she has been to her first British Showjumping competition and jumped a double clear! A big thank you from Willberry to John and Clare Whitaker, Adam Fanthorpe and of course all of the HWWPC’s supporters for making this possible.