Headless Hannah spooks crowds
ATALENTED horse rider from West Lancashire terrified thousands of people when she rode through the streets as a headless horseman.
An estimated 15,000 people lined the streets to watch the annual Spookport Hallowe’en parade in Lord Street, in Southport, last Friday.
But, among the fire eaters, ghost trains and haunted floats, the terrifying headless horseman was the big talking point.
The Advertiser can reveal the identity of the rider who thrilled and scared the watching crowds in equal measure.
The Spookport headless horseman is professional Grand Prix dressage rider Hannah Doggett, who played a starring role with her horse Jareño.
She was booked to appear in the parade alongside other performers from GModels & Casting Agency by owner Lisa Hames, alongside a fire eater and a stilt walker.
Hannah, 25, has been riding since she was seven years old, riding professionally for the past four years.
Based in Mawdesley, near Ormskirk, she competes all over the UK and enjoys training clients. Friday night’s Spookport parade was a great opportunity to entertain, she said.
Hannah explained: “Both myself and my horse loved it. I have a special affinity with Spanish horses and have many of them at home.
“It’s their nature that allows me to do events and parades like this.
“This particular horse, Jareño, has only been with me just over two months and it’s his first go at any performance. He loved it!
“He was great trotting up and down Lord Street and equally as great standing for photos with all the kids.
“Lisa Hames asked me to first do the parade a couple of years ago and it was her idea to do the headless horseman.
“So we tried it for the first time then. This year, Lisa wanted to do the same again, and it was really popular.
“I do a lot of fancy dress with the horses but the headless horseman, I have to say, is my favourite.”