Winnie's view: Lambourn Open Day

I was fortunate enough to see the Happiness Horsebox in person for the first time on Good Friday 2023, at The Sir Peter O Sullevan’s Lambourn Open day. I was able to fully utilise the Happiness Horsebox, and for the first time in 25 years be able to confidently immerse myself within an Equestrian event.

Part of my condition’s (Cerebral Palsy and Fibromyalgia) mean that I am an ambulatory wheelchair user, but for safety and pain management I use a wheelchair - alternating between an active manual chair and an all-terrain electric wheelchair which I have been incredibly lucky to own for approximately 12 months. However, I struggle to attend and be able to enjoy myself at Equestrian events for multiple reasons such as becoming overwhelmed by large volumes of people (many of who do not see me, or are not familiar with checking their surroundings), not being able to see anything due to being lower down and having my view obstructed and sustaining soft tissue and muscle strains from being push/pulled over harsh countryside – even worse when we’ve been blessed with ample amounts of rainfall.

Upon seeing the Horsebox for the first time, I was impressed by how ‘normal’ it looked from the outside. I liked how it didn’t look any different to a traditional horse lorry. I think this stems from my struggles with to having so many things in my life being different and having unwanted attention being drawn to me as a result of my disabilities. While the Happiness Horsebox is different and is able to unlock unique potentials and experiences for people, a lot of people still wouldn’t necessarily want to “stand out” in their experience - we just need more access!.

I boarded the horsebox via its heavy duty platform lift to the rear of the lorry, which I could only describe is feeling like I was royalty – there is footage of me doing my royal wave and giggling. The ride was a smooth as velvet, which is nice because my experience using similar lifts were jarring, especially when my wheelchair isn’t necessarily something the operator of the lift has seen before. I felt secure knowing that there were two barriers around me. 

For the first time in my nearly 25 years on this planet, I could see the entire event from the comfort of my chair without people crowding around me. I could see more than if I were to have stood up and held onto the fencing for a brief moment.

The Happiness Horsebox could be likened to the Tardis on the inside, my all-terrain wheelchair is on the bigger side and I was worried I would’ve got caught on the inside. This was not the case and I could breeze inside through the double doors and settle for the day. I definitely felt more confident and safe having the horsebox to retreat to, and I became a lot more open and engaged with others, being able to instigate and hold meaningful conversations. It would have been a very different scenario if I was on the ground and worrying about the volumes of people. 

I joked I needed a Happiness Horsebox to live in on my driveway at home, as it was complete with a toilet, hob, fridge and storage which could double as seating or a bed. The loo had its own door, and could’ve been made bigger for me should I have needed more space and made completely private by shutting the other doors  so that the entire living area could be used.
 
The interior of the lorry is coated by a wipe clean material which enables the environment to be effectively cleaned. I felt relieved by this as I am more susceptible to picking up germs and illnesses. I also struggle with using portaloos as they are often blocked from frequent use, there isn’t enough space even if they are regarded is accessible, This is also imperative for those who are immunosuppressed and/or require a sterile environment to safely take medications.
 
I felt free at the Happiness Horsebox, to the point where my I spent some time browsing alone after my mum (who accompanies me) took the opportunity to safely leave me and go and see some of the racing yards. I navigated the stalls and immersed myself before the crowds got too much, I felt empowered on my solo journey and comforted that I could see the horsebox and have a place to go if it got too much.
 
I spent the rest of the day after my purchases alternating from the platform to the awning as the temperature changed, although the majority of the day was sunshine.

 One thing from being less mobile is I feel the cold a lot quicker and it sets deeper into my body, making it harder to get warm again and impacting my muscles. The indoor area was perfectly set so I could still see everything happening in the main ring, with a cup of warm coffee nestled in my hands. I felt content and felt a sense of belonging, like after years of internal battles of thinking that the equestrian/agricultural world isn’t for people like me, not only did I belong but I could indeed thrive if I utilised the Happiness Horsebox in my para equestrian journey. 

So many lives can be enriched by the Happiness Horsebox, mine was revolutionised in just a few hours. Thank you Liz for creating such an amazing initiative.