Sophie finished her treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2015, she remained in remission for 13 months but then it returned and Sophie had to endure even more treatment. Sophie was first nominated for a wish back in 2016 by her oncologist Louise. Sophie and Louise shared each others passion for riding and even competed against each other in the Riding Club horse trials, with Sophie winning her section! Seeing how much Sophie had been through and what she still had to face Louise wanted Sophie to have something to look forward to.

Sophie’s wish was simply to ride an advanced dressage horse. As soon as Willberry’s fairies found this out they started to get things organised. However, Sophie had to spend a lot of time in hospital, really missing out on riding her own horses. Chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant meant that Sophie needed time to recover and regain her strength. She did this amazingly well and with such motivation especially when she found out what Willberry had planned for her!

Willberry got talking to the lovely people at Summerhouse Equestrian and discovered that they have some beautiful school master horses as part of their ‘Prestige Training’ department. It was organised for Sophie to spend two afternoons there having lessons with international dressage rider Sara Gallop.

On the first day Sophie rode the stunning Bes who helped her perfect leg yield and shoulder in. Mango, her second steed, new all the tricks! He couldn’t wait to do flying changes and Sophie had to master leg and body position pretty quick to stop him doing them. They then got to play with piaffe and passage - they looked like real pros. 

After lessons, watching a professional ride and having video analysis of her sessions Sophie, her parents and Bazberry were able to enjoy a superb nights sleep in the glorious Hammonds Bed and Breakfast in Stroud. Sophie said it was out if this world! The luxury B&B is owned by Willberry supporter Bea Hyde and she really couldn’t have been more amazing or more helpful. Bea even organised for Sophie to spend the following morning at B & W Equine Hospital having a tour and even getting to watch some operations.

That afternoon Sophie was back onboard Mango doing leg yields and half passes followed by riding a horse called Larry who turned out to be her favourite as he was much more forward, like the race horses she used to ride. Sophie told us that the whole experience was amazing and something she will remember for life.    

Sophie wanted to ride a school master to help her when riding her own horses and she has clearly been putting what she learnt in to practice. Sophie attended some BD training on her own horse Leo and they have been selected to represent Somerset at the inter county extravaganza! Everyone at Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity wishes them lots and lots of luck, love, happiness and health for the future.

Claire payed us a visit at Olympia when she was on the hunt for her very own Berry Pony, but more important to speak to the #WonderPony himself about having a very special Willberry Wish granted. 

Sadly Linda, Claire’s mother, had terminal lung cancer but she still had a lifetime dream, to go to the races. However Willberry’s help was needed, sadly Linda’s dream had a shorter deadline to become a reality due to her diagnosis. Nonetheless she was a fighter and determined to go before she became too poorly. Time really was of the essence with this one and Christmas didn’t help matters, but Willberry managed to send Linda and her grandson to Sandown on the 6th January. Not only this but they were treated like the VIP’s they are, with a stretch limo to take them there and a 3 course meal to keep them refreshed!

Linda said that she and Martin had a totally brilliant day (and the steak was the best she'd ever eaten!), the cherry on the cake was Martin ringing the bell for the jockeys to mount. The gorgeous smile and special thank you to Willberry and his team really is what gets Willberry up in the morning.

A special silver Willberry charm was gifted to last as memory, and this was indeed an incredibly special one. Sadly Linda lost her battle with that horrible C word on the 8th March, so Willberry continues to send his heartfelt love to Claire, Martin and the rest of Linda’s family.  

Kerrie contacted Willberry in hope of a wave of his magic wand. Her friend Helen had always dreamed of experiencing riding side saddle, but she'd been dealt a poor hand and currently is enduring a tough fight with breast cancer, that has spread it horrid self into her bones. Kerrie was explaining this to Willberry and his mind began to whizz, how could he make this dream come true.

Unfortunately cancer doesn't always follow the same schedule; Helen's wish had to be delayed a number of times due to operations and then the incredibly sad loss of her mother to cancer. Willberry wand began to wave, then poor Helen was kicked by a horse, putting her out of action yet again.

Helen kept unbelievably strong despite everything- this made Willberry even more excited when in December, with the generous help of Grade A side saddle instructor Lucinda Sims, Helen's wish was finally granted! Helen was able to fulfil her dream- going to Lucinda's yard and riding her side-saddle school master.

Not a memory will be lost as the fantastic Katie Mortimore very kindly captured the many beaming smiles. Those smiles are what this is all about! A few moments to escape. 

Thank you so much to every single person involved in making this wish come true. 

Willberry's been waving that magic wand of his again...

This time its for Grace. Some of you may remember Grace's story from earlier this year, as in true Willberry Magic it was her father Ben that was the winning jockey in the Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Race at Cheltenham.

Whilst she was stuck receiving treatment for Leukaemia she missed out on a trip to Chessington World of Adventures. Bellaberry, Grace’s very own #wonderpony, was right by her side through all off her gruelling treatment so Grace thought it only right the two of them trotted off to Chessington together when Willberry worked his magic.

11 year old Jemma Marlow was one of the first Willberry Wishes to be granted. Jemma was diagnosed with osteosarcoma earlier in the year and is yet another incredibly brave and inspirational individual. Like many others Jemma was an avid follower of Han and Willberry so a friend contacted us to ask if it would be possible to loan a berry pony to help put a smile on Jemma’s face and give her a much needed boost. Willberry felt Jemma really needed her own berry to help her through the gruelling rounds of treatment.  “Spicaberry” as he is now known,  has not left Jemma’s side since he arrived and has settled in to his role of nurse, companion and all round wonder pony with great success.Jemma recently had an endo prosthesis fitted to replace the cancerous bone and is having to learn how to walk again as well as finish her chemo. She is planning to get back on her pony Socs imminently and we all wish her the best of luck for the future and keep everything crossed she continues to #kickcancersbutt.