Page 33 - link magazine

Go North Swindon show-jumping star seeks sponsor
wild in Ten year old Red Oaks primary pupil goes riding every day after school. But to finance Tahnia’s riding. It would
water Tahnia Jones is proving to be a young it’s Julie who gets up each morning be great to find a sponsor who could

Prospect Hos- star of the equestrian world, coming to do the mucking out. She said: “I support Tahnia, especially with
second in the Pony of the Year Show leave the house at 5am and get back some high profile events coming up
pice is urging in April and reaching the finals of by quarter to seven to wake Tahnia for this year.”
people with a both the Royal International Horse school. It’s hard work and expensive. Contact Tahnia’s Dad Lee Jones on
love for swim- Show and the Horse of the Year Show “As parents we both work full- 07809 142152 or mail: leevjones@
ming to try something wild, its first to be held later this year. time and run two other businesses sky.com
ever open water swimming chal- Explaining Tahnia’s riding career
lenge on 10 August. so far her Mum Julie said: “We got
The Big Swim takes place at Bow- Tahnia a loan pony when she was five
moor Sailing Lake near Lechlade. and she started showing it, but she got
There is a swim for all levels, ranging bored and we found the judging to be
from 500m, 1.3km or a 3.8km route. very subjective.
Prospect Hospice events fundraiser “When she started jumping she
Genevieve Arney said: “We are hoping absolutely loved it and the partner-
Swindon’s swimmers will come out ship she built with her pony is really
in force to take part. The Big Swim is strong. Dandy is an honest little pony
the first open water charity challenge who wants to do his job. Tahnia has
held in this area.” got a lot of belief in him and always
Register for a place at: www. goes out wanting to win the class.”
prospect-hospice.net/bigswim
Tahnia is dedicated to her sport and

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★ MoTs arranged (no re-test fee) Matt motivates at his old school
For a reliable local service with over 30 years experience Following a suggestion by Swindon Link, Matt Fiddes, former Greendown
(No VAT to pay) Community School student until 1996, martial arts businessman and one
CALL GRAHAM ON (01793) 873045 or 07867 556350 time bodyguard to Michael Jackson, recently made his first return visit to
his old school in Grange Park, now Lydiard Park Academy.
The following day on 16 July, Matt
attended the school sports day at the
County Ground athletics track to give
a motivational speech and his South
African born wife Moniqe performed
some of the songs that have made her
a star in her home country.
Matt left Greendown without
qualifications yet with a passion to
start his own martial arts school,
although his careers advisor didn’t
think much of the idea. Four years
later he had made a million and was The discipline was really impressive.”
associating with Michael Jackson and At the County Ground, Moniqe,
Britney Spears. who is expecting their first child in
He said: “It was amazing to go November, sang five songs in the
back to my old school, although it burning heat in front of 1,000 stu-
has grown and been changed around dents before they answered dozens of
so much since I attended. I was a bit questions about travelling the world
nervous about going back but what and being with famous people. A
I noticed so much was the smart uni- young girl asked Matt if he would be
form and politeness of the students. her bodyguard if she became famous.
Afterwards they were
mobbed by students want-
ing autographs.
Matt added: “Myself
and Moniqe love inspir-
ing young people to do
better; it was an honour to
be invited to take part in
the academy sports event.”
Photos: Richard Wintle
www.calyxpix.com
34 swindonlink.com • August 2013

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