Her work for Riding for the Disabled
Pure-bred Cleveland Bay mare, Pembridge Symphony, is a rare
breed in more ways than one.
This is her story which demonstrates the marvellous versatility
and temperament of the Cleveland Bay horse, which remains on
the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s list of critically endangered
breeds.
Bred by K. Telford and bought as a yearling by Joanne Firth,
Pembridge Symphony was left to mature physically as she was very
immature and small for her age. Joanne worked on improving Symphony’s
manners and by three years old she had changed into a nice, compact
and well-mannered youngster. She was put in foal to premium Cleveland
Bay stallion, High Park Schoffield and Joanne decided it was
also time for the mare to make her debut into the show ring and
so she was entered for the North Yorkshire County, Great Yorkshire,
and Royal Shows.
A short time later, before the shows had taken place, Joanne
had a visit from Susan Hirst who was looking for a horse. Joanne
showed her round her yard of Cleveland Bays and when Sue saw
Symphony she immediately knew she was perfect for her, as she
wasn’t too big, standing at under 16hh.
Sue bought Symphony but the horse stayed with Joanne so she
could show her that season. They achieved a 2nd at the North
Yorkshire County, were placed at the Royal and won their class
at the Great Yorkshire Show, much to Joanne and Sue’s delight.
Joanne continued to work with Symphony and once the show season
was over, she carefully broke the mare in before they parted
company and Symphony went on to her new home with Sue.
Initially a friend of Sue’s rode Symphony as Sue had a
bad hip and was unwilling to risk being thrown around by a young
horse, but they soon realised that the mare was practically a ‘push
button ride’ following Joanne’s sensitive and thorough
training, and safer than the majority of older equines and so
Sue was on board before long.
Sue enjoyed riding Symphony until the winter and then turned
her away until the foal was due.
She gave birth to a beautiful pure-bred filly named Nesfield
Sonata, who has since gone on to have her own success in the
show ring.
After weaning her foal, Symphony was brought back into work
and the next chapter of her career began.
Susan’s daughter, Anna, is mad about horses and because
she has special needs, she attends the Riding for the Disabled
Association (RDA) Centre at Middleton Equestrian Centre, Leeds
Susan approached the centre to see if it could be arranged for
Symphony to go there to assess her suitability as an RDA horse
that Anna could ride. She went on loan to the centre and when
she reached five years of age, she passed her assessment with
flying colours and began to be used for Anna’s weekly lessons.
Symphony is now used for a variety of jobs at the centre including
lessons for able-bodied riders from beginners to advanced levels
and also does a small amount of show jumping and dressage, including
competitions.
Her true forte, though, has proved to be with the RDA students.
With such a gentle temperament, she has quietly stood when riders
have had to mount from a wheelchair ramp and has steadfastly
worked on both lead rein and free ridden lessons for all abilities
of disabled riders, and has been used in RDA competitions.
Anna qualified Symphony to compete at the National RDA Dressage
Championships at Hartpury and finished in the top half of their
class – a great achievement for a beginner against riders
from all over the country. Symphony was also qualified for the
Championships under another rider who was blind.
Another chapter of progress began when Susan had her broken
into drive and began driving training with the RDA around
the centre and in the nearby woods in preparation for her ‘Driving
Test’. She passed the test with ease in early 2009 and
is now able to be driven by students that need to use their wheelchair
on a specially equipped four-wheeled cart.
Symphony has worked at the RDA centre now for almost five years.
Initially on loan from Susan, the centre has now purchased her,
but Anna still has her weekly lesson on her. This remarkable
Cleveland Bay horse is loved and adored by everyone at the centre
and both staff and students praise her for her kind, well-mannered
and trustworthy nature.
Says the Centre Manager, Anna Taylor: “We could not
do without her. She is one of our best horses. She is so versatile
and is brilliant and we all love her!"
Symphony’s role at the moment is as an experienced mount
and driving horse for the RDA but when the centre’s younger
horses have gained more experience, Symphony will be allowed
some time out to have another foal. This marvellous little horse
still has another important task ahead – to help continue
the bloodline of the rare Cleveland Bay breed for future generations,
and what a fine advert for the breed she is!
For further information contact The Cleveland Bay Horse Society
on 01904 489731 or visit www.clevelandbay.com
If your horse has a story to tell, please let us know
