Henrietta Knight

Henrietta Knight has paid tribute to Katie Clark's bravery in beating cancer to return to work at her West Lockinge stables.

The trainer said: "She has shown so much courage. She would not accept that she would not get right.

"She loves her horses and loves looking after them. She has a relationship with the animals."

It was the thought of working with Knight's horses which spurred Clark on to fight the illness - something the trainer recognised.

"I knew her heart was really in her horses and the racing, and one had to encourage her to think ahead," she said.

"We had to give her a goal. We almost had to look into the future.

"All her friends in the yard were a tremendous support to her and spurred her on.

"The doctors were always quite positive that they could get on top of it - it is one of the few cancers that they have treatment for where it can work."

Knight helped keep Clark interested in the game by taking her to the racecourse when she was at a very low ebb.

"She just has amazing guts," said the trainer. "I took her racing a couple of times and she shouldn't have gone. She was so sick in the back of the car.

"She lost all her hair twice and looked like death warmed up.

"It was horrendous to see her, but under that, inside there was this spirit to get through it."

Depression caused by the illness proved another barrier for Clark, and Knight said: "She went very much into her shell during the bouts of depression and sometimes felt no-one could help her.

"She would go to hospital on her own and she was very determined.

"When she came back to work she said that she wanted to be normal, and was so determined to be no different to anyone else."

Knight was thrilled to see Clark rewarded for her bravery with the Special Merit/Hero prize at the Stud and Stable Staff Awards at London's Café Royal.

"When Brough Scott (one of the judges) asked her questions she was really good," said Knight. "People had tears in their eyes. It was very moving what she said. She can express herself very well."

Terry Biddlecombe, Knight's husband, is also full of admiration for Clark.

"She is just a star," he said. "She is the most fantastic girl. She is a very good rider and the horses love her and she loves her horses.

"She has been here a long time and I hope she stays forever."

7:52pm Friday 7th March 2008

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