26th January at Somerford Park, a group of Volunteers have got together to run a dressage event to raise money which will go to help victims of the Australian fires, and the horses in particular.
Mairead Martin spotted the Hope for Horses Dressage competition and was desperate to help. Her story has so far raised more than £1000 towards the fund but she is hoping to raise much more with her special horse and ‘international’ jockey.
Her Cob, Blue, last year underwent Annular Ligament surgery after becoming lame in an instant. Mairied said “the surgery went well but he became unwell with a stomach impaction and a very serious bout of peritonitis”. This resulted in Blue being moved to ICU in Leahurst Equine Hospital, where he stayed for 31 days!
Whilst in the hospital the Vets struggled to keep Blue stable and further surgery was recommended. It was a difficult decision for Mairead as they said Blue might not survive the surgery or they might find something else. They decided to go ahead and so stopped all his medical support to monitor him to get a full picture of his situation. Two days later, Blue miraculously stabilised and his surgery was cancelled.
The Vets still have no real idea how or why he survived and said he is a ‘miracle’.
Fast forward a few months and Blue has been declared fit to ride. Mairead saw the Hope for Horses dressage competition being advertised where she is based at Somerford Park and just knew she wanted to get involved so she asked International event rider and Dutch Team coach, Andrew Heffernan, who is also based there, if he would ride Blue in the Intro A test, wearing full top hat and tails and Andrew immediately agreed.
Mairead has set up a JustGiving page with the intention of reaching £1000, but it has so far exceeded this amount and the aim is to keep going and see just how much can be raised. You can support Mairead, Blue and Andrew’s great cause by visiting https://www.facebook.com/mairead.martin.37 and clicking on her JustGiving link.