Riding fall leads to charity horse show
Natoli Stacey-Davies will never forget the day her mother was injured in a fall from her horse and had to be taken to hospital by Air Ambulance.
June Stacey-Davies fractured two vertebrae in the accident four years ago and was airlifted to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.
She has battled back to fitness, but, at the age of 14, Natoli has now decided to organise a fundraising horse show to boost the funds of the Air Ambulance charity.
The horse and pony show will be held on July 12 at Radford's equestrian centre in Llanymynech. Radford has donated the venue free of charge for the day.
Natoli, from Llanfechain, is hoping that riders from across the region will enter the show on the day, competing in a wide range of classes.
She is also calling on firms and on individuals to sponsor the rosettes for the classes winners at a cost of £10 and for people to donate raffle prizes.
"That will mean that all the money from the day can go to the air ambulance," she said.
Mrs Stacey-Davies said: "Natoli was doing a special presentation that afternoon at school when my accident happened, almost four years ago and, of course, I wasn't able to get to the event.
"I was riding with friends on an isolated bridle path and the horse bucked me off. The air ambulance had to land in a field and the paramedics had to climb over a barbed wire fence to get to me. Local farmers then helped to carry me on the stretcher back to the air ambulance."
Mrs Stacey-Davies said she was incredibly lucky to have a 'stable break' which did not affect her spinal cord.
"I had to say in hospital for a week and then was incredibly immobile when I got home," she said. "If you break your leg you have your leg in plaster and crutches, but with this there was nothing you could do but mend, slowly.
"At one point we were told that it cost £1,200 to rescue one person and all that money has to come from fundraising. That is now Natoli's target for the event."
Mrs Stacey-Davies, who has covered the cost of the insurance for the show, said she was very proud of her daughter.
More details about the horse and pony show are available on Facebook or the tack shop in Oswestry and Wynnstay Farmers in Llansantffraid.
As well as the more usual showing classes there will be competitions for the prettiest mare, the handsomest gelding and also some small jumping classes for children and beginners.
Details are also available from Mrs Stacey-Davies on 07929 104337 or email meganatoli@aol.com.
