Canadian eventer Selena O’Hanlon has been training in England ahead of the Badminton Horse Trails, which are set to kick off May 1st. Unfortunately, her mount, long-time partner Foxwood High, has sustained a minor injury and the pair will be unable to compete.
O’Hanlon and Foxwood High (aka Woody), who have been staying at Sir Mark Todd’s facility, are now preparing to come back to Canada.
Now not only do O’Hanlon and Woody’s owner, John Rumble, have to deal with the disappointment of withdrawing from the event, they also have to deal with the expenses of travel and a month’s accommodation and board in England. To help out, sponsors and friends have stepped in to support the team, even though their dream has ended.
Head groom Anne-Marie Duarte had organised two silent auctions on Facebook to help offset extra expenses. The first phase of the auction ended last week. The second phase was to begin next week during the competition. Given Woody’s injury, the team were unsure if the second phase of fundraising should continue. When Duarte contacted all the donors, however, the support was incredible, and all donors wanted the auction to go ahead.
This week’s auction will feature a very special piece of jewellery by Matt Dixon, owner of Dixon Jewellers in Ottawa. He has crafted a beautiful rose gold and diamond necklace and pendant for this occasion, valued at $1,500 CAD. Dixon was the first of the sponsors to say he insisted the auction to continue. He felt strongly that on all money raised by the beautiful necklace and pendant go toward the considerable expenses incurred in preparing for Badminton.
The bespoke necklace has a pendant has a 3-D horse jumping out of circle beside maple leaf. There are five diamonds over the horse and rider with Badminton Horse Trials engraved underneath. On the back is engraved 70th Anniversary to reflect Badminton’s years of competition.
The online auction starts on Wednesday, May 1st and will run until Sunday, May 5th at 5:00 p.m. EST. The person with the highest bid at that time will be the winner. There are a number of incredible items up auction as well on the site. To take part in the auction join the Facebook page Selena & Woody to Badminton 2019 – Silent Auction.
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