Inaugural Trailblazers Unsung Hero Award for Jessica Yeung
Congratulations to, Jessica Yeung, winner of the inaugural SEIB Unsung Hero Award for Dressage at Trailblazers Championship 2018, which was presented on the first day of the SEIB Trailblazers Championships at Stoneleigh Park, 27th July - 4th August. Read Jessica's amazing story ....
The award has been introduced by SEIB Insurance to recognise the achievements and contributions given by the support team behind so many of our Trailblazers competitors.
SEIB Trailblazer Championships has been an emotional and truly amazing journey for Jessica Yeung (pictured right, on her home-produced youngster) and Gillian Miller (pictured left), who have been firm friends for over 16 years, with their joint love of horses securing their friendship.
However Jessica truly stepped up to the mark when Gillian was diagnosed with breast cancer following the birth of her first child. It was a particularly aggressive tumour and Gillian started chemotherapy immediately, staying in isolation for two weeks, during which time she was sadly unable to see her new born baby.
During months of chemotherapy, followed by surgery and radiotherapy, Jessica supported Gillian, taking her for daily treatment, appointments with the “wig lady” and helped Gillian to stay positive and make the best of what was an awful situation.
During Gillian's breast cancer treatment, doctors found a lump on her kidney that also turned out to be cancer. Once again Jessica was a huge support to her friend; this illness was particularly poignant as Jessica’s younger brother had suffered with kidney disease for most of his life and sadly passed away.
“Jess kept me positive through some of my darkest days; she knew when to make me laugh and when to tell me to stop moping about!” said Gillian.
The friendship continued to the point when Gillian was ready to buy herself a horse and Jess helped her view prospective candidates, with the second horse they saw matching the blue print. Jess judged that the combination would be a suitable match, the piebald mare duly passed the vet and the rest is history.
“Not surprisingly Jess suggested I qualify Twinkle for the SEIB Trailblazers Championships 2018, she has supported me throughout the qualifiers and gave me the boost that I needed to compete,” said Gillian.
“I love Gillian to pieces, she is such a good friend and for her to reward me in this way is unbelievable”, said Jess on her receiving her SEIB Un-Sung Hero Award from SEIB Marketing Manager Nicky McKenzie (pictured centre).
Jess then went on to qualify her own home produced youngster and so this dynamic duo have enjoyed the journey to this championships, as they always have - together.
