Taking a bow at Barbury - that’s Laura Collet riding Kauto Star and Ed Chanin on board My Rubicon at the St. James’s Place Wealth Management Barbury International Horse Trials. The quartet performed in front of packed crowd prior to the cross-country phase of the prestigious three star competition.
Tiverton based para-dressage rider Ed Chanin performed a dressage display followed by Laura Collett and five times King George and dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Kauto Star, in support of the Retraining of Racehorses series. Ed and Laura are testament to the work of the Injured Jockeys Fund, having previously received treatment and support from the IJF and its rehabilitation facilities at Oaksey House in Lambourn.
In 2001 whilst working at the stable of leading jumps trainer Phillip Hobbs, Ed Chanin suffered a life threatening fall whilst schooling, resulting in a serious head injury, a broken back and being resuscitated twice and placed on life support for several weeks. Ed was left paralysed down his right side, stayed in five different hospitals in six months and endured two and a half years of constant therapies to relearn to walk and talk. Thirteen years on and Ed’s journey has been more than remarkable. He now competes at top level para-dressage with his horse My Rubicon as well as up to medium level in British Dressage and hopes to represent Team GB in the Paralympics at Rio 2016.
Since it was established, the IJF has evolved into one of the most highly recognised charities within horseracing and beyond, helping over 1,000 jockeys and their families and paying out more than £18 million in charitable assistance. Ed has been a recipient of its support, receiving funding toward his and My Rubicon’s training.
Yesterday, Laura Collett, also took part in the JCB Champions Challenge in aid of the IJF, with her team; the eventers finishing third behind the winning jockeys. Last summer, Laura suffered a terrible fall and was at Oaksey House during her rehab and is now back successfully competing. The support that the IJF provided Laura is just one example on how the charity reaches across all equestrian sports and beyond.
