Competing against all odds
Early last year, life seemed great. I was enjoying work as a yard manager for Foxisle Stud, overseeing 20 liveries and another 20 horses belonging to the owners, Edwin Cumberland and Tina Gray. Edwin and Tina kindly gave me the ride on one of their horses, Foxisle Eloy Donae, to compete in British Dressage and things were going well. We won on our first outing in April 2016 and had many placings within the following six weeks. Things were so good that we managed to qualify for the BD Petplan Regional Finals and I really set my heart on going. But then in June 2016, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had the lump removed, followed by radiotherapy. Exhausted and feeling ill from the treatment, the only thing that got me through each day was the thought of competing Eloy at the finals. Even though I was weak, tired and nauseous, I just practised and practised. Two weeks after my final radiotherapy treatment, Eloy and I set off to Warren Farm, in Merseyside, for the BD Petplan Regional Final (with no show practise!). Edwin, Tina, my eight-year old daughter, Olivia, and my friend, Jenna Ellis, were all there to support me. I was so pleased to have made it to the competition that I rode the test with a huge smile on my face! We were pleased just to be there competing and was hoping to be within the top 10, but to my delight we came third! I wanted to share my story to give others hope. My advice to anyone in a similar situation to mine is to hold onto your dreams. Rachel Constantine, Lincolnshire