A rider has paid tribute to her late horse, who she says saved her life, by hosting a charity ball in his memory.
Francesca Kennedy’s 11-year-old Irish sports horse Bart was killed in a road collision in 2020.
The Penrith rider was hacking with her friend Hannah Farrell, when they were struck by a vehicle near Clifton. Bart had to be put to sleep following the collision.
Francesca was flown to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and was found to have suffered two torn ligaments, a torn tendon and nerve damage.
Since then, she has been campaigning for safer roads in Bart’s honour via Bart’s Legacy and raising funds for the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
Earlier this month (9 April) Francesca and Hannah put on a black tie event, including a three course dinner, raffle auction and live music. The event raised more than £12,000 for GNAAS.
“The ball was absolutely amazing,” Francesca told Your Horse. “Hannah and I were so overwhelmed and proud. We couldn’t actually believe we had put that on and it went so well.
“We set a target to raise funds to reach around £5,000 and we raised £12,300 which is totally incredible and we did it for my beautiful horse, who is just a hero and I don’t think we could’ve made him more proud or do his name more justice.”
Francesca credits Bart for saving her life.
“He meant everything to me, he really was my best friend,” she added. “I could tell him anything and he was there through everything – I called him my real-life unicorn!”
If you wish to donate funds to Bart’s Legacy, or find out more, click here.
