For an amazing sixth year running, Orions Britespark (Ryan), with rider, Lauren Collard, has qualified for the Badminton Grassroots Mitsubishi Cup – and this year, he’s taking a friend!

Ryan will be galloping around the famous cross country course, together with Wanderberry, the much travelled, all-action sidekick of Willberry Wonder Pony – from the Hannah Francis charity, which raises money for bone cancer research.

This will be Wanderberry’s second time around the course, so Lauren’s

hoping he will have some good tips for her.

“Hannah was a dedicated horse rider,” said Lauren. “It’s wonderful that the sport she loved can get involved with raising money in her memory.”

Lauren has ridden since the age of seven, when she was first taught by Jo Clarke. When Jo left the riding school to set up her own livery yard, Tunley Equestrian Centre, Lauren followed to continue with Jo as her instructor.

Jo, together with sister, Jilly, started breeding spotted horses and ten years ago, Lauren became the proud owner of Ryan and began developing him into a local superstar. Ryan was bred, born and backed, and still lives, at the Centre and with his distinctive brown and white spotted markings, he’s often seen hacking out around Priston, Tunley and Dunkerton.

Last summer he appeared locally at Clutton Village Show, where he entertained the crowds with an impressive display of showjumping.

Badminton is only seven weeks away and preparations, practice and training are in full swing to enable Ryan to reach peak fitness. He is a regular visitor to both West Wilts. and Mendip Plains Equestrian Centres, both for competitions and schooling facilities.

However, this year preparation will also include baking; Lauren and mum, Nikki Collard, will be selling homemade cakes to the Badminton crowds to raise even more funds for Willberry Wonder Pony.

If you could support Lauren, Ryan and Wanderberry at Badminton, please make a donation by visiting: justgiving.com/hannah-willberrywonderpony

To follow Ryan through his preparations and the competition, go to

Tunley Equestrian Centre’s Facebook page, where his blog appears each week.