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Billy will be appearing all three days of the show with
Ted
Billy Baxter, the fastest blind man
in the world, is set to climb in to the saddle of one of the
world's most famous horses.
Former Royal Artillery staff
sergeant Billy is due to ride book legend and blossoming
international film star Ted, a giant Clydesdale on Tuesday 26th,
Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th July at Royal Lancashire
Agricultural Show.
Billy, 41, who supports the British
Wireless for the Blind Fund who provide radio equipment on free
permanent loan for blind and partially sighted people in need,
is due to ride 18.1 hand Ted in the main arena at the fair.
"It will be wonderful to be back in
the saddle again, though I may need a step ladder to get up
there!" said Billy, who smashed the Blind Solo World Land Speed
Record on a motorcycle almost 165 mph in 2003.
The story of six year old Ted was
made famous by the book written by Sally Anne Oultram and her
daughter Camilla, who rescued Ted almost certain death as a
sickly foal. Meanwhile a film about Ted's life and rise to fame
has been entered for next years Cannes Film Festival.
"Ted is an amazing animal. I feel
privileged to be able to ride him. Clydesdales have a lovely
placid nature. Riding him is like sitting in a comfy
armchair!" said Billy, from Haddenham, Cambridgeshire.
Horse lover Billy, who lost his
sight while serving in Bosnia after contracting a rare virus,
met Sally Anne in 2003 while he was touring with the flying
gunners - Royal Artillery Motorcycle Display Team.
"Billy is one of the bravest, most
inspirational people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting"
said Sally Anne, author of The Story of Ted. "No-one who
knows him can fail to be moved by his sheer guts and courage."
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