[dropcap style=”font-size: 70px; color: #052b51; font-family: ‘Droid Serif’, Arial, sans-serif;”] T [/dropcap] op South African showjumper, Nicola Sime, has thrown her weight behind the fight against Cancer. In a show of support to those fighting the illness, Nicola will complete the final two SA qualifying competitions for the FEI World Cup in custom made pink attire bearing the pink cancer ribbon.

As of September 2013, Nicola was lying third in the qualifying rankings for the World Cup. The penultimate qualifier kicks off in Port Elizabeth on the 14^th of November, with the main event occurring on the 17^th. Nicola’s drive to increase awareness is a personal one.

“A few months ago, my very good friend Nicky Berriman was diagnosed with the disease. She is a young, active mom of two young boys, when the illness hit so close to home it made me realise that I need to do more to aid the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) as much as I can. They continue to research ways to fight this disease but they need financial aid. I hope people who see me competing at the Nissan World Cup Qualifier in PE as well as the Investec World Cup Qualifier in Cape Town will be inspired to donate even a small amount to CANSA. Every bit helps” says Nicola.

Nicola also hopes those fighting or affected by the disease will garner some hope and happiness from her showjumping rounds.

“Nicky is my biggest supporter and she loves El Paso, my grey horse. I wanted to show her in the most public way that El and I are now behind her. For these competitions El and I are jumping for Nicky but we’re also jumping for every fighter, every survivor and every person who has been touched by Cancer in some or other way. Any obstacle can be overcome. Together we will fight this.”

For more information on the Cancer Association of South Africa visit http://www.cansa.org.za/

You can follow Nicola’s journey visit her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/NicolaSimeShowjumper

The Nissan World Cup Qualifier in PE runs from the 14^th of November to the 17^th of November at the Port Elizabeth Riding Club. The Investec World Cup Qualifier in Cape Town runs from the 20^th of November to the 24^th of November at the Stellenbosch District Riding Club.