‘I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOSE HER’

THE elementary silver winners at Petley Wood, Sue Deacon and Standen Taransay, only recently started competing again due to the effects of a traumatic road incident 10 years ago.

“I qualified for the Area Festival championships in 2008 and I was on my way to Merrist Wood as a final outing before Hartpury, when we got stuck in traffic on the M25.

“‘Tara’ became stressed, started climbing up the walls of my trailer and eventually fell down. I thought I was going to lose her.

“Fortunately, a St John’s Ambulance crew saw I was in trouble, put their flashers on and came to help.

“I’ve continued to train Tara,” Sue added. “She’s fit and looking great, but she’s now 21 and I thought I’ve got to get out and compete or it’s a waste. I’ve managed to find a caring transport company to take us to competitions.”