A triple gold Olympic medallist has appealed for people to take part in a fundraiser to remember a popular horse rider who died of a brain tumour last April.
Charlotte Dujardin OBE, who won two gold medals in 2012 and one in 2016, and is the most successful British dressage rider in the history of the sport, is calling on people to partake in the Lockdown Lollop on Easter Friday in memory of 50-year-old Rory Gilsenan.
A Just Giving page which is in memory of Rory Gilsenan
Rory was a popular ride who died from a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumour last year, two years after he was diagnosed.
His diagnosis came just weeks after his first win at the prestigious Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).
Rory Gilsenan (left) and Charlotte Dujardin (right)
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Behind the challenge is Buckinghamshire stud owner Sharon Mynard, who completed a wheelchair marathon last July for Brain Tumour Research in Rory’s memory.
Sharon was paralysed in a riding accident as a teenager and Rory often rode her horses, taking her animal, Dexter’s Puzzle, to the HOYS on two occasions.
Sharon Mynard with son Toby
The aim for the event on Easter Friday is to raise £5,000.
She said: “Mindful of Covid-19 restrictions, the Lockdown Lollop invites people to complete a 10-mile route of their choice, either by walking, running, cycling, horse-riding, scootering, or even rowing, in fact, any method of travelling, as long as it doesn’t involve a motor vehicle.
“The idea is to have lots of fun while raising funds for a serious cause.”
Jackie Card and Lucy Goodey (two of the four members of The Lockdown Team from Piglets Bottom)
Equestrian teams are signing up to take part from across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, including one from Piglet’s Bottom Farm Equestrian, Great Horwood, near Milton Keynes.
Cross country rider Lucy Goodey, who runs the yard there, said: “We will be doing a relay of riding, running and walking and hoping to lose a few of the extra pounds gained over Christmas whilst raising extra pounds for a worthwhile cause.”
Also taking part is 17-year-old brain tumour patient and Buckingham School student, Lily Hawkins who lives in Dadford, near Buckingham.
Lily Hawkins and Jester
Lily, who will be riding her pony Jester, said: “As soon as I heard about The Lockdown Lollop in memory of Rory I had to get involved.
“Much more research is needed to find more effective treatments and ultimately a cure.”
To register for the event or to donate to a team, go to www.justgiving.com/team/thelockdownlollop.
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