My
sponsors and the Leg up for talent program
OMG they are coming!! This means work .....
As you may know I
have been successful on the leg up for talent program, this is a unique and
exciting environment where talented riders can exchange ideas, share
competition plans, knowledge and experiences and by so doing develop a real
understanding of what it takes to succeed in the equestrian sport. By being on
the leg up for talent scheme I have been able to benefit from the support of
some amazing products and people.
The leg up for talent program is sponsored by Renapur who
produce leather cleaner, hi shine and leather balsam, I have been lucky enough
to receive these items for use at the yard and around the home, and a great cap
for working in. Only problem is that white is not a good colour for wearing at
the yard. The products are for cleaning all the leather wear, tack, saddles and
I also keep a pot at home for doing the boots,
A 200ml pot of renapur leather balsam should protect 500
pairs of shoes, 50 leather jackets or saddles 20 leather sofas, plus loads of
other items, depending what your area of interest is you can use it on loads of
items for cleaning and protecting leather. If you look on the web site
apparently there are 101 different ways in which you can use your renapur
products. renapur.com
The other items that
renasan produce are natural antiseptic for animals, Renasan kills
99.9999% of harmful micro-organisms in less than a minute, its completely safe
to humans, animals and the environment. It comes in 100mls, 250mls, and 500mls
handy for carrying in you’re grooming kit or handbag. Perfect for flushing
wounds and preventing infection. renasan.co.uk Both
these items are really helpful and I really appreciate the donations from the sponsor
Renapur.
I have mentioned one of my other sponsors quite a few times
before, Dolphin Mobility. dolphinlifts.co.uk I first heard about dolphin mobility from another
para rider Jane Lishman. She had a hoist on her lorry as a way of mounting her
horse, Once id seen this I knew it was only going to time before I got back in
the saddle. Christian from Dolphin first came out to see us at the yard in
February 2017 to discuss the hoist and costs, and we were fund raising hard to
make this happen. I was lucky enough to get a local grant from Downend round
table and my local riding club, and this covered the cost so it was full steam
ahead. By March we had the hoist and in April I had my first sit back in the
saddle just 18 months after my accident.
Dolphin now work with me as one of my sponsors, I do
weekly blogs, about the product ranges they sell and advice that they give about
all sorts of equipment, We are again working with the team at Dolphin closely
as I have secured a charitable grant from the SSIT (southern spinal injuries
trust) to fund the second hoist in the arena. As we have the handi move sling
we can just adapt the sling and charger to use on either arm, enabling me to
mount safely in the arena and also out at venues that perhaps don’t have facilities
to mount the horse, when I attend training days etc. Dolphin are a great
company and very apt for my situation. I am extremely lucky to have them
working with me.
I have a syndicate of very special people who contribute
a sum of money towards my para journey; this money is used for some lessons and
some equipment that is needed. I am tremendously grateful to my supporters as
without this financial contribution, it would be very hard for me, to afford
the lessons at the RDA on a regular basis. I had a lovely Charles Owen
Charlotte Dujardin Navy blue hat bought for me by Pat and Gordon Butters, who
are long standing family friends. I love this new hat; it’s so comfortable and
safe to wear, I am so lucky to have been able to have this donated by Pat and Gordon.
The Severn vale riding club, raised some money towards the hoist and also it
was enough to buy an air jacket. Thanks to them for this...
Beth Hobbs and I did a talk to VHPRC which is a veteran
riding club, for members with older horses; this was an extremely enjoyable
evening, where I met some lovely members, who have now become part of the para
team too. The VHPRC donated us £100 on the night, which I am particularly
grateful. This was able to buy some bespoke dressage whips, which are shaped
and sit over your leg in a much better position than a normal schooling whip.
These were made by Paul Allison at PA saddlery, Paul is qualified saddler and
BHSA1 and has made these bespoke whips really nicely, the whips are so
important for training Flynn as these
are acting as my legs. I am getting use to using them, but it is taking some
doing!! paul@pasaddlery.co.uk
My Trainer, owner of the most amazing horse and special
friend is Beth Hobbs. Beth is now working with me on the leg up for talent
program too as she is very supportive to my dream of riding para dressage. Beth
owns and runs an extremely successful business. Loan oak training and
schooling. She works extremely hard, training, giving lessons, competing her
own horses and running the livery yard. All this is supported by her team and
special family. I blog for Beth to raise the profile of her business and do
this once a week on the leg up for talent social media marketing and also on my
personal blog and my blog at your horse
Magazine. Which I do every month. We are
working together to come up with ways that will benefit the business and help
Beth achieve her goals.
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| Beth crash test dummy, first time Flynn saw the hoist |
I am now being sponsored by Julia Mottram, Equine and
human physiotherapist, this is a private arrangement and not on the leg up for
talent program. I have blogged about
Julia before, both me and Flynn has been lucky enough to have Julia work with
us. She is able to treat Flynn with physio which he will benefit from by
helping him become more flexible and strengthen his muscles, and also treat me
and my position in the saddle. By working with us both closely we can work on
training hard, on and off the horse, to achieve the desired effect in the
saddle. I have attended the gym for Personal training sessions and stand in the
stand frame and do weights and stretches, all working towards the end result.
Achieving the dream of riding para dressage. keystonephysiotherapy.co.uk
I am still actively looking for more sponsors; I am
really focused on marketing the products and working with the companies so we
each benefit from the leg up for talent program. If you’re looking for some
marketing for a business that you have whether is big or small, get in touch
Via Face book messenger at Sallyanne Louise Haigh. I have a few things in the
pipeline but need to pull it all together and this can take some organising… legupfortalent.com
