( READER STORY ) Side Saddle Dash
At sandon point to point, staffordshire article by Kate Hardt
I live in Staffordshire and my husband and I have three horses, one of which belonged to my friend Val. Late summer 2018 a wonderful friend, Val Gilbert, was killed in a tragic carriage driving accident on the road where her husband, Paul, and dog, Molly were also badly injured.
Photo of Oakie by David Hide Val and Sinbad (Sinbad now lives with Kate and her Husband)
We always meet up at the local annual Point to Point at Sandon, Staffordshire and always had a fantastic time together. This year was the first that Val would not be there, but Paul and a group of amazing friends were going to raise a glass to Val.
By absolute chance, the race organisers decided to hold their first ever side saddle dash. I decided to race my husbands horse, Oakie, in memory of Val and to raise much needed funds for Brake, a road safety charity who also helps people deal with road death. As an ex traffic bobby I know first hand the tragedies that occur on the roads and what an invaluable charity Brake is.
Horribly, about three weeks before the race, he and our other horse, Monty, sustained leg injuries in the field, and had a long recovery in front of them. So poor Oakie was out of the race. We were absolutely heart broken as we adore our horses and they are family to us. Amazingly, a friend offered his lovely ex-racehorse to complete the race on! I was completely blown away! I first met Don two weeks before the race when my friend, Mark, dropped him off for me to get used to him and get him a bit fitter.
Prize giving together with Paul - Val's widower. Palermo Don passing the finishing post
There was never a question if I would race or not – it was going to happen. I started to get Oakie fit slowly three months before and as time drew near he was looking fantastic!
80 JULY/AUGUST 2019
Don, (Palermo Don), came out of racing about four years ago. He had never had a side saddle on his back before, so it was all very new to him, and me, as he moves very differently to our own horses especially under side saddle.
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