Family and friends of a talented Derbyshire horse rider who died in a tragic accident are to ‘ride high’ in her memory during an event being staged on her birthday.
A team of some 60 riders will be taking part in the 80-kilometre Cycle Derby Sportive this Spring in memory of Danni Meehan.
Danni, of Blackbrook near Duffield, died in July last year after falling from her horse, Lilly, known competitively as Killy Puissance. She was only 32.
Just three months before, Danni had moved into her dream home adjoining stables surrounded by idyllic countryside in Blackbrook, close to her family home. She shared it with her beloved partner of 12 years: Chris Kent, a business intelligence developer working at Derbyshire-based chemicals company Lubrizol.
He said: “The solace that I take is she had everything she wanted. As far as Danni was concerned, when she passed, everything was perfect.”
On April 10th riders will gather for the Cycle Derby Sportive in Markeaton Park – the place where Danni first sat on a horse when she was a little girl. Fittingly, the date of the event marks what would have been her 33rd birthday.
Danni’s mum Debbie said: “Before the tragic event last year, Danni was always determined to participate in an event like this, but eventing was ultimately her priority. When I saw that the Cycle Derby Sportive was taking place on her birthday, I thought it would be the perfect event for us all to take part in.”
Debbie and Chris are taking part in the ride alongside Danni’s father Sean, and brother Dominic, both keen and proficient cyclists. The family said Dominic, in particular, had been using his knowledge and experience to provide key cycling guidance in order to help support the family tackle this endurance ride. A large team of friends and family have also pledged their participation in the event. They will all be sporting specially made cycling jerseys sponsored by Belper based company Sally Cowan Ltd. The jerseys will mirror Danni’s pink cross-country colours and will bear the message ‘Ride High Danni’.
When Danni was growing up, she loved Irish dancing, following family heritage stemming from her father whose family came from Ireland. But despite her promise as a dancer, horses soon became her real passion.
Debbie said: “Over the years we have operated on a shoestring budget, and even though that was the case, it was evident that Danni had enormous talent, and this truly became apparent in the latter years, progressing through the levels, and becoming a 1* star intermediate rider. She was a truly gifted rider but didn’t get the recognition that she deserved because she was very quiet and unassuming.”
While studying Geography at the University of Manchester, Danni would travel back home to Derbyshire every weekend to see her beloved horse. “Her dream when she was a little girl was to compete at Chatsworth,” said her mum, adding: “The dedication that she demonstrated over the years helped realise this ambition.”
Danni and Chris knew of each other while both were pupils at The Ecclesbourne School in Duffield, getting together a few years later after a night out in Saddlers, Derby. The pair were devoted to one another, but Chris said he always knew where he stood in Danni’s affections. “She loved Lilly first, and me second!” he said. “To be honest, I didn’t mind that, as long as I was in the top three!”
Since the terrible shock of Danni’s passing, the family have been trying to deal with their grief by getting out into the countryside on their bikes as they train for the Cycle Derby Sportive.
In a kind gesture, Danni’s family surprised Chris with a new bike over the Christmas period, and although new to the sport, he has been out on training rides two or three times a week since the start of the year, familiarising himself with the challenges of cycling and correct road etiquette.
He said: “Football has always been my main passion; I’ve played all my life. I have never really seen the attraction of cycling. However, it has provided me with some direction this last few months, and as the weeks have gone on, I’ve started finding it quite cathartic.
“Cycling takes my mind off things – it has had a positive impact on my mental health these last few months – if I am feeling down or somewhat low, it’s a great outlet to shift my mindset.
“Danni would have been doing this event if she still with us. I regularly cycle up to her grave and sit with her. I know she’d be laughing at me, especially donning full lycra. But at the same time, I know she would be so proud of us all.”
In taking part in the Cycling Derby Sportive, Danni’s family will be raising vital funds for a charity very dear to their hearts: the Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance. The Air Ambulance are not government funded and heavily rely on charitable donations. On that tragic day, a helicopter was sent directly to the scene after Danni’s rotational fall to provide lifesaving care, but unfortunately nothing could be done.
Although the air ambulance was not able to save Danni, her family would like to raise money and awareness so that other lives may be saved. It is also a charity that was close to Danni’s heart, having watched her mum rescued by one of the charity’s helicopters, also after a horse-riding accident.
“It just shows the integral role the Air Ambulance has within the East Midlands,” said Debbie.
Tracey Jones, community fundraising executive for the air ambulance in Derbyshire, said: “On behalf of The Air Ambulance Service charity, I would like to say a massive thank you to all of the family for the support they are giving to the charity in what is a very difficult time for them.
“Without the amazing commitment of people like them, we would not be able to provide the service that we do.
“They are showing fantastic dedication and we at the charity wish them the best of luck with their fundraising and once again a massive thank you for their support. They are amazing.”
For now, Chris and the Meehan family are focusing on training for their ride and gathering support so they can raise as much money as possible for the air ambulance. Chris’ employers Lubrizol have given a significant contribution to the ride, and he also paid tribute to the emotional support the company has offered, saying: “Lubrizol are a fantastic company to work for; they are a caring company, and have provided me with excellent support these last eight months.”
The ride on April 10th will certainly be an emotional occasion for team Ride High Danni, allowing them to reflect on the luminous personality of a young woman taken from them all at the prime of her life.
Debbie said: “Danni was so driven, loyal, kind and loving. She lived in her own little bubble and wasn’t concerned about world affairs or politics, she just focused on what was really special to her – her family, friends and horses.”
You can contribute to Ride High Danni here: https://tinyurl.com/bdfvy52n
