Horsey Talk

Pony Found Being Eaten Alive by Maggots is Crowned Show Ring Champion

Photo credit: RSPCA

A young pony named Buggy who was discovered just over a year ago with terrible wounds on his back that had become infested with maggots has been crowned 2017 Champion at national event, Equifest.

Buggy awarded his championship at Equifest. Photo credit: RSPCA

Buggy's inspirational story and transformation helped him achieve first place in one of his two classes at Equifest on Saturday and he then went on to the evening championship where he was awarded the title of PRP/RSPCA Rescue Pony Champion, presented by RSPCA Interim Chief Executive Michael Ward.

L-R: RSPCA Interim Chief Executive Michael Ward, Buggy, World Horse Welfare Groom Louise Murrie and assistant director of inspectorate Dermot Murphy. Photo credit: RSPCA

Buggy's success wasn't the only cause for celebration over the weekend, with World Horse Welfare Charlie taking the top spot in the ridden class and 5th in-hand, World Horse Welfare Floss taking second place in her ridden class and sixth in-hand, World Horse Welfare Hope claiming 4th and 5th prizes in her two classes and World Horse Welfare Hamgrove Chrystal taking 6th place in her class.

World Horse Welfare Charlie competing at Equifest where he was placed 1st

Buggy was discovered just over one year ago in a field near Hillam, Leeds, just a few months old and almost too weak to stand, with live maggots eating through deep wounds which had been left untreated on his back. Poor Buggy needed urgent veterinary attention before he was transported to the safety of World Horse Welfare's Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre to undergo rehabilitation.

World Horse Welfare Penny Farm Manager, Fran Williamson, said:

"We are all absolutely over the moon with Buggy's championship and proud of what he and the other ponies have achieved at Equifest. Buggy's story is a shining example of how a pony who has had such a terrible start in life can leave his past behind and go on to achieve amazing things. He's such a sweet little character and is much-loved by everyone at World Horse Welfare, plus the many visitors who come to Penny Farm every week so I think it's safe to say there will be many people celebrating his success!

World Horse Welfare Hope at Equifest

"Buggy will soon be ready to find a new home on our Rehoming Scheme but as with all our horses and ponies, he will always remain in World Horse Welfare's ownership safeguarding his welfare."

World Horse Welfare Floss at Equifest

World Horse Welfare Hamgrove Chrystal at Equifest

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde who heads up the charity's equine team said:

"I am absolutely delighted that little Buggy was crowned the PRP/RSPCA Rescue Pony of the Year, he is a very deserving winner. The suffering Buggy endured before he was rescued is unthinkable, but to see him trotting around the prestigious Equifest arena with his sash and ribbons was very moving.

"The RSPCA and World Horse Welfare work very closely on horse rescues and together have tackled some of the country's worst cases of neglect and suffering. Since our teams rescued Buggy together, the team at Penny Farm have done an incredible job rehabilitating him. It's been very special for us all to see him shine at Equifest."

Buggy when we was found in May 2016

Buggy was crowned the winner by a panel of judges, comprising of: Mrs Katy Carter, Mrs Marge Cartlidge, Mr Lee Clarke, Miss Julie Crowley, Mrs Helen Horsfall and Mrs Jo Jefferson. Miss Crowley and Mrs Helen Horsfall said:

"It was an honour to judge the rescue horse championship class, and while all the horses and ponies were a credit to their owners and the rescue teams, Buggy took our eye straight away. How horses are still being treated this cruelly today is beyond us. Buggy's story was so incredibly powerful, and despite him still having the scars to show his ordeal, he is a super little pony and was a clear winner.

"These rescue ponies are just incredible and the work by the charities like the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare is fantastic. To think some of the ponies had never been handled before their rescue, let alone brought to a show. The atmosphere in that arena at Equifest is electric, yet you could see Buggy was simply smiling at life as he trotted around!

Buggy competing at Equifest with groom, Louise. Photo credit: RSPCA

"It's very challenging judging the rescue class, reading the ponies' history is tough and seeing the photos is even tougher. You think of your own horses and how much you love and care for them, and it makes you realise that so many horses are just not that lucky. It's very humbling."

Find out more about rehoming: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rehoming

Photo credit: RSPCA

After two decades bravely served Britain's most loyal warhorse is put out to pasture

5ft 9in Viscount enjoys his well earned retirement after 22 years of carrying royalty and Trooping the Colour

- 17 hands-high black gelding horse Viscount has retired to the Chiltern countryside after glittering career

- He carried senior officers, royalty and Lance Corporal Richard Jones, winner of Britain's Got Talent 2016 -

Viscount completed military training at just five years old before passing out as a military horse in 1997

Read more:

Win Sponsorship from Stable Shield

Stable Shield – the leaders in Equine Bio Security – has launched a search for a new sponsored rider to join the team.

The chosen rider will get the chance to compete in Stable Shield colours and will receive a host of prizes as part of the sponsorship support.

When it comes to showjumping do you have a dream to be the next Scott Brash, in the world of eventing is Pippa Funnell your idol, would you like to dance across the dressage arena in the style of Charlotte Dujardin or become the next showing superstar and follow in the footsteps of Jayne Ross?

If you aspire to be one of these legends one day and are looking for a sponsor to start getting your name out there, Stable Shield wants to hear from you!

Stable Shield is offering a wonderful bundle of gear that includes Stable Shield Antibacterial Paint for two stables, £100 to help cover entry fees, a branded jacket, baseball cap, polo-shirt and two saddle pads, as well as a logo for the horse box.   

In return, all Stable Shield ask is that the rider updates the team with monthly blogs for the website, and sends regular news for social media.

All horses and ponies need a clean and dust-free environment to live in, keeping them healthy so they can be trained to the best of their ability. It is therefore extremely important to take every possible precaution against the spread of bugs and bacteria.

The team at Stable Shield has approached this by tackling prevention rather than cure. This removes the emphasis on drugs and antibiotics, instead focusing on reducing the initial spread of bacteria within the equine world.

In doing so, they have developed Stable Shield Antibacterial Paint, a water-based non-toxic paint that can be applied to stables to create a fully disinfected yard. The paint prevents the growth of bacteria by up to 99.8% on all applied surfaces. This in turn creates a clean environment which is crucial to help horses with their respiratory system and overall wellbeing.

The sponsorship is open to all levels, age and ability.  To enter simply email Jacqueline.tsmltd@btconnect.com  in no more than 200 words about why you would be a good candidate to join the Stable Shield ambassador team.  The closing date for entries is November 30, 2017.

For further information about Stable Shield products contact 01386 423999 or visit www.stableshield.co.uk.

PETA-Proposed Technology Will Spare Horses Used for Racing

A first-of-its-kind technology for horse racing wagering terminals, conceived of and proposed by PETA to raise funds to care for Thoroughbreds retired from racing, has been developed by AmTote. The concept, presented by PETA to The Stronach Group and the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), involves a pop-up screen for wagering terminals asking bettors to donate a portion of their winnings to the TAA. The TAA announced the technology Sunday at the annual Jockey Club Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing. This is the first time such an interface has been developed for the racing industry.

© iStock.com/ProjectB 

PETA, whose 2011 Thoroughbred Lifecycle 360 Fund proposal for a retirement program was embraced by the racing industry and became the funding model for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, has been concerned that insufficient funds mean that some Thoroughbreds will end up sold at auction and sent to slaughter in Canada or Mexico. The new wagering terminal technology has the potential to generate an ongoing source of additional revenue. PETA approached The Stronach Group, which owns Santa Anita Race Course, Gulfstream Park, Pimlico and other tracks, because of its commitment to improving conditions for horses used in racing.

"The racing industry is done with most Thoroughbreds before their fifth birthday and they need good homes," says PETA senior vice president Kathy Guillermo. "This new technology interface has the potential to provide millions of dollars for the horses' care and we're delighted that The Stronach Group has embraced it."

As the TAA's Stacie Clark stated at the Round Table, "PETA did not seek compensation, monetary or otherwise, for the concept. Their only request was that 100 percent of the money donated through these terminals would support Thoroughbred Aftercare…We would like to thank AmTote, The Stronach Group and PETA for their joint leadership in horse care. The TAA is thrilled with the potential of this technology to help Thoroughbreds beyond their racing careers."

Horse semen auctioned in bid to buy Cooley Rorkes Drift

Mr Evans is trying to raise £550,000 to buy Cooley Rorkes Drift

Equine semen has been sold at auction by a three-day event rider as part of a fundraising bid to buy the horse he rode at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Jonty Evans is trying to raise £550,000 in a month to buy Cooley Rorkes Drift after it was put up for sale.

A straw of semen from the horse's sire, Courage II, sold for £1,000 on Saturday evening in an online auction.

Mr Evans, who finished ninth in Rio for Ireland, has raised £325,000 but said time was "running out".

He has trained and ridden the 11-year-old horse for the past six years.

But the value of Cooley Rorkes Drift has risen due to its recent success and its owner now wants to sell him.

Mr Evans, from Andoversford in Gloucestershire, launched a fundraising campaign and online auction in July after he was given first-refusal to buy the horse "at a preferential rate".

He said the horse - who he calls his "partner and best friend" - will be sold to the highest bidder if he does not raise the funds by Thursday.

The semen from three horses, including Courage II, was donated to Mr Evans' online auction.

Mr Evans said: "[The horse semen] is selling for more than it goes for on the open market but there is only a limited amount.

"Courage II unfortunately passed away in 2006 so only a few rare straws of his semen remain."

Other prizes donated were a lesson with Badminton Horse Trials winner Andrew Nicholson and holiday breaks in Portugal.

"People have been amazing. We've had kids phoning us wanting to give their pocket money, it really is enough to move you to tears," Mr Evans added.

"Everyone has been so generous and kind in helping to fund us but it does feel like time is running out.

"We're now hoping there's a company out there or a fairy godmother or fairy godfather who might be interested in getting involved."

Rescue Ponies Put Best Hooves Forward at Equifest

Four rescue ponies from World Horse Welfare's Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire are putting their pasts behind them to show off their amazing transformations at one of the UK's biggest equestrian events, Equifest, this week.

Buggy shortly after he was found in summer 2016

Buggy now, looking the picture of health

Amongst the stunning line up is youngster Buggy who hit the headlines last summer when he was found at just a few months old being eaten alive by maggots. Poor Buggy was so weak he could hardly stand up but thanks to the amazing care of the World Horse Welfare team he is now unrecognisable from the listless, emaciated pony he was when he came into the charity's care.

Floss when she was found in November 2012

Floss now, excelling in her ridden work

Floss, was found weak and neglected at less than a year old but is now flourishing in her ridden work and will be showing off her paces with her groom, Karen, at the competition. Charlie, was underweight, suffering from worms and a severe lice infestation when he was discovered but is now a very handsome ridden pony who is brimming with confidence.

Charlie on arrival at World Horse Welfare in January 2014

Charlie now, enjoying the sunshine

Finally, little Hope came into World Horse Welfare Penny Farm in September 2016 with her mother who was extremely emaciated and struggling to survive, having given all of her strength to keeping her young foal alive. Sadly, Hope's mother was in such a terrible state that the team had to make the difficult decision to put her to sleep and so Hope became an orphan at just a few months old. Another orphan foal was in the farm at the same time and bonded instantly with Hope to become an inseparable pair. Hope is now a beautiful yearling who has flourished and has a bright future.

Hope with her mother when they were found in September 2016

All four ponies will compete in the PRP/RSPCA rescue classes at Equifest on Saturday 12th August, bidding for a place in the evening championship where just one will be crowned Equifest Rescue Pony Champion for 2017.

World Horse Welfare Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre Manager, Fran Williamson, said:

"We are all so proud of the amazing recoveries these four ponies have made and I am very excited to see them perform at Equifest. Whatever placings they do or don't receive at the show, we will still be celebrating what they have achieved given their difficult backgrounds and times they have encountered in their lives.  On top of this, they are great ambassadors for World Horse Welfare and the high quality of horses and ponies we have ready for rehoming so I would ask anyone attending Equifest to make sure to give them the big round of applause they deserve."

Find out more about rehoming: www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rehoming

Hope and Charlie enjoying life at Penny Farm now

Georgie Bennett winner of the Equerry Horse Feeds search for a new sponsored rider. 

Georgie Bennett

Dressage rider Georgie Bennett is the delighted winner of the Equerry Horse Feeds search for a new sponsored rider. 

Georgie runs a small dressage and livery yard in Lincolnshire and is also a freelance rider and trainer.  

She has evented at advanced level and also competes in advanced level dressage and was one of hundreds of riders to enter the national competition which proved massively popular. 

Working with many different horses, Georgie recognises the importance of using a feed which gives them the condition they need, but also in her words "keeps their brain on her side." 

Georgie soon realised that once she began feeding horses on the Equerry range, their coats very quickly took on an amazing shine that simply got better and better, whether at home training or out competing. 

Said Georgie: "Running a yard can be very expensive, competing makes it even more so, any help towards lowering costs is always hugely appreciated and it is fantastic to win the sponsorship support from Equerry." 

Added Katy Mickle of Equerry Horse Feeds: "We are delighted to welcome Georgie as our new sponsored rider and are very much looking forward to working with her." 

As the successful winner, Georgie was lucky enough to experience fantastic VIP hospitality at the Equerry sponsored Bolesworth International Horse Show for the exciting Equerry Grand Prix, together with winning a year's supply of Equerry Horse Feed, an Equerry jacket, polo shirt and saddlecloth.

Graham Daws and Shelagh Thomas

British Eventing Chairman Paul Hodgson presented two BE Awards at Buckminster Park Horse Trials to two outstanding and long-standing volunteers in the sport; Graham Daws and Shelagh Thomas.

Graham built the first cross country course at Buckminster Park back in the late 1980's and eventing have been his passion ever since. Graham is now a Mentor Controller training the next generation and is well known to the BE staff involved in training. He has volunteered as cross country controller for many events in the midlands and beyond, including BEDE events, Musketeer events, Lincoln Horse Trials and Buckminster Park since the very first one.

Graham has also been in cross country control at Land Rover Burghley and the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, as well as the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Shelagh Thomas started her BE career in 1989 fence judging at Belton, Withcote and Lowesby Horse Trials with her daughter Miranda, and since then has volunteered at just about every horse trials in the East Midlands. From fence judging to scoring and dressage stewarding, Shelagh has volunteered at all the BEDE events, as well as Rockingham, Lincoln, Norton Disney, Draycott, Brooksby, to name just a few.

Shelagh has worked with Nick Tompkins and Maggie Jolin at all of their events at the cross country start, helping with timekeeping as well as the cross country collecting ring steward. Shelagh is also a great show jumping collecting ring steward which she has done for Buckminster Park for many years with great authority and humour.

As a bonus Shelagh has brought Miranda up to give something back to the sport, in which she is now a successful competitor and the next generation Thomas in the show Jumping collecting ring.