‘It was really difficult’: watch Ben Hobday ride side-saddle at Blenheim
Ben Hobday rides side-saddleYou liked the photos of Ben Hobday riding side-saddle – here's the video…Haygain Hay Steamers Horse & Hound British Eventing OfficialPosted by Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on Thursday, September 8, 2016
Ben Hobday managed to canter and jump side-saddle in a charity display at Blenheim, but admitted he found the new way of riding challenging.
The popular four-star event rider took part in the display to raise funds for cancer charities Willberry Wonder Pony and Bright Red.
Ben was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma in June 2015, but announced he was in remission in November.
International side-saddle judge and trainer Ginny Oakley Pope gave Ben a lesson on former intermediate eventer Ashton Flight, who sported a Willberry Wonder Pony quarter mark for the occasion.
The 14.3hh coloured gelding was crowned national side-saddle reserve champion with his owner Lauren Allin at Addington last month.
“It was really difficult, but it was great fun,” said Ben.
“It’s a totally different kind of balance. I was trying to listen as much as I could to Ginny.
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“The horses are very well trained,” he added.
Willberry Wonder Pony was launched by Hannah Francis, who passed away last month aged 18 (1 August).
Since her osteosarcoma diagnosis in May 2015, Hannah raised significant funds for various charities.
Her own charity was approved as a registered charity in May.
All funds raised by Willberry Wonder Pony go towards bone cancer research and granting horsey wishes to those with serious illnesses.
The challenge also raised funds for blood cancer charity Bright Red.
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Side-saddle demonstrations were given twice a day throughout Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (8-11 September), with Ben appearing on the first day.
The Side Saddle Association has been promoting the discipline at the event for nine years, with a side-saddle rider traditionally opening Blenheim’s high jump contest — which also supported Willberry Wonder Pony this year.
The popular high jump competition involves a ‘knockout’ style class in which there is just one fence that goes higher and higher.
This year’s competition was jointly won by four riders — Vicky Laing, Jack Pinkney, Scarlett Ward and Gemma Tattersall — who shared the £500 prize, which was donated to Willberry Wonder Pony.
“The total monies raised by Ginny Oakley Pope, A Bit on the Side and Ben Hobday was £1,000 – thanks are due to Northampton Branch of Barclays Bank who matched pound for pound the money collected,” said a Blenheim spokesman.
“The money will be divided between Bright Red and Willberry Wonder Pony Charities of which Ben Hobday is patron.
People can continue to donate to Bright Red by texting BENH34£3 to 70070 and to Willberry Wonder Pony via Just Giving.
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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.