By this point, most of you will have encountered one of the most omnipresent faces on the global eventing circuit – the diminutive, wide-eyed face of Wilberry Wonder Pony (and his ever-expanding herd of Berry brethren, of course). But if you haven’t, you might have found yourself wondering why on earth some of the best riders in the world leave the start box with a stuffed animal attached to their number bib.
This season, the Event Rider Masters series has been a committed patron of the Willberry Wonder Pony charity, which helps to support vital research into the osteosarcoma that its remarkable founder, 17-year-old Hannah Francis, suffered through and ultimately passed away from. While pouring its resources into this research, Willberry also helps to grant wishes for equestrian enthusiasts suffering from serious illnesses.
The best bit? Eventers around the world have enthusiastically jumped on board in their support of the charity, which has snowballed in its reach since Hannah’s passing. Check out the ERM’s video, explaining their involvement with the charity this year and some of the riders who never leave the startbox without their own Berry pony on board. With the 2019 ERM series finale just a week away, we’ll be on Berry-watch — will you?
