Eventer Ben Hobday plans return to riding following cancer treatment
Eventer Ben Hobday has told H&H he is planning his return to the saddle.
Ben revealed in June that he had been diagnosed with cancer and has been undergoing treatment at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.
On 30 September, Ben finished chemotherapy and is now building up his immune system.
He told H&H on Wednesday (14 October) that he is hoping to ride in a demo with Paul Tapner at Your Horse Live on 14-15 November.
His mother, Lisa Hobday, has also been raising money for a place at Jack Berry House, the Injured Jockeys Fund’s new rehabilitation centre in Yorkshire.
Twenty-seven-year-old Ben said he will “see how it goes”, but is hoping to start working on building his fitness up once his blood levels are up.
His aim is to be back riding properly by January.
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“I am going to try to improve my fitness and keep pushing myself to get back to riding for the beginning of next season,” he told H&H.
“I am looking forward to returning to my horses and normal life.
“I really miss it — I can’t wait to be back riding horse after horse after horse.”
Ben’s eventing accolades include winning the under-21 CCI2* at Weston Park in 2006.
He also has multiple placings at three-star level and has jumped clear around Badminton and Burghley.
Most recently, he came ninth on Ramilo in the CIC3* at Bramham (11 June).
He runs Shadow Sport Horses in Cheshire and his top horse is part-Clydesdale Mulrys Error, who he completed Badminton with in April.
Since sharing the news about his diagnosis, Ben has received huge social media support and has even had a video message from Virgin mogul Richard Branson.
Fundraisers held in support of Ben have also raised tens of thousands of pounds for cancer charities.
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Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.