Young riders looking to make a career out of horses are being invited to apply for training grants.
The grants to a total of £1,500 are being offered by the parents of a horse-mad teenager who died 20 years ago.
Ann and Simon Waley want to help young riders who want to make a career in horses, in the memory of their daughter.
“Our daughter Hendelah was only 17 when she died very tragically in an accident,” said Ann Waley. “One of her main interests in life was horses and riding. She had a horse and young foal of her own.”
With the help of the British Horse Society, the couple set up the Hendelah Waley Equestrian Fund as a registered charity. The fund has donated two or three training grants each year for the past 20 years.
But this year, few riders have come forward to apply for the funding. And the search is on to find candidates in time for a viewing day scheduled for 13 October.
Ann explained that the money is not given directly to the candidate. Instead, it is pays a recognised riding establishment to help a rider to improve their skills.
“There is no particular level of expertise that candidates are expected to have reached,” she said.
“We just want people who can demonstrate that they really want to improve their equestrian knowledge in some sphere.”
The viewing day on 13 October will take place in Surrey. Riders will be asked to ride and answer questions by the fund’s committee, consisting of Ann and Simon Whaley, Jane Davies, Donald Kier and Clare Chandler.
To apply (before 30 September), and for more information, email thewaleys@aol.com or pattygee506@aol.com
