Born into a very non horsey family at 4 yrs old I watched an episode of Black Beauty. That was it I was hooked on all things equine.
With 4 siblings money was tight but I begged for a pony.
Unfortunately when I wss 7 years old we lost our dad and his twin in a car accident life suddenly became a lot harder.
I never once gave up on my dream of owning a pony. Mum would watch HOYS on tv with myself and my sister my dream turned to not just owning a pony but to compete and look after one to the exceptional standards that I had watched in awe.
Mum eventually applied to the courts to release some of my trust fund to by a pony I was ecstatic.
I soon started competing locally hacking to shows.
I watched I learned. Envious now of tack and clothing, I wore a school blazer a pair of jods from a jumble sale and my school shoes, I didn’t care and regularly won sj and dressage comps.
Owning ponies though took its toll on Mum, she couldn’t afford and I knew it, they had to go. DEVASTATED.
Fast forward many years and I have been lucky enough to finance my own horses.
I never got that HOYS ticket but my daughter Millie Simpson has inherited the bug.
We searched and searched country wide for an intermediate working hunter.
Rachel Turner then one day sent me a
Picture of one Vicky Smith had for sale
Love at first sight but too expensive.
Never the less I had a funny feeling he would be the one.
Vicky kindly invited us over with Rachel knowing our budget.
Millie and Hennessy just clicked Vicky let us have him. Two of the happiest girls in yorkshire that day.
2021 was slow with covid but Hennessy was wowing us.
2022 they qualified RIHS but with limited experience we decided not to compete him. We continued to just enjoy him for the rest of the season pinching ourselves that he was actually ours.
Then disaster, Hennessy suffered an injury that would end up putting him out for a year. We nursed him through box rest, hrs and hrs of in hand walking and vets visits. Finally in the November of 2023 he was given the all clear to ride, Millie was over joyed.
He has bounced back and although not as confident as before he tries his heart out for his beloved Millie they have an exceptional bond.
Millie has carefully contested qualifiers and finally we were overjoyed to get the golden ticket at Stoneleigh horse show.
My Dream Millies Dream.
WHAT A DREAM
Whatever happens beyond that curtain there is a 4 year old in me that is beyond exited and an extremely proud mum.
MILLIE SIMPSON & CHECK MATE II
EternaL thanks to all that have helped us
