Richard Branson sends surprise get well message to Ben Hobday
British eventer Ben Hobday, who is being treated for cancer, has received a special get well message from Richard Branson.
The founder of Virgin Group spoke on video and sent his support to the popular eventer.
Ben shared the video on his social media pages.
“Hi Ben, it’s Richard here,” Richard said. “Just want to wish you all the best…you can come out [of the illness] 100% at the end of it. Good luck.”
Ben, who shared the news of his cancer last month (3 June), was delighted to receive the message.
“It was a very nice surprise,” he told H&H. “I’ve never met him before — it was very, very kind. I’m quite overwhelmed.”
The four-star eventer, who jumped a clear round the cross-country at Badminton this year with Mulrys Error, spoke of the support from the eventing community.
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“It’s very, very nice, people do things they don’t have to do,” he said.
“I’ve had lots of visitors, it’s amazing. Friends have driven up for five hours to see me.
“It just makes things a bit easier.”
Ben’s eventing successes so far include team gold and individual bronze at the 2008 young rider European Championships in Germany, first place in the under-21 CCI2* at Weston Park in 2006 and individual sixth at the 2006 young rider European Championships at Blair Castle.
He also has multiple top-10 placings at two- and three-star level and as well as a number of double clears as three and four-star.
Most recently, he finished ninth at this year’s Bramham CIC3* (11-14 June) riding Grub’s Ramilo.
Since becoming ill Ben has been able to check in with Grub’s Ramilo through FaceTime.
“He’s my boy, he’s a good horse. It was nice to see him,” he added.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.