competition news
World Horse Welfare Buggy takes Rescue Pony Champion title at Equifest
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’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. 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. 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 that 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! “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.” 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
Buggy with L-R – Karen Wright, Nicole Walmsley, Mandy Davison, Louise Murray and Fran Williamson from Word Horse Welfare
Buggy when he was found just over a year ago
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 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! “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
Inaugural Hannah Francis one day event acclaimed great success
Arioneo, one of the sponsors of the inaugural Hannah Francis One Day Event, which took place in July, reports a glowing report from the organisers.
Having an event run in her name was one of Hannah’s dreams. All those involved in organising the event were deeply motivated by Hannah’s passion for life and were determined to make it a reality and, in so doing, to fulfil one of her ambitions that celebrates her love of horses and the sport of
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eventing. Hannah inspired many people to get involved in, or return to, eventing and around 200 competitors took on the challenge of the classes at 70cm, 80cm and 90cm.
Arioneo provided an Orscana monitor to the winners of the two 90cm sections. Using the latest technology and an easy to use app, Orscana allows riders to monitor what their horses are doing every minute of the day, providing answers to a myriad of questions that horse owners
ponder on a daily basis - Which rug shall I use tonight? Is my horse too hot? Is my horse too cold? Data is delivered from a sensor sewn into a horse’s rug, to an app on a mobile phone. The winners, Pippa Skelton riding ‘Harry Winston’ and Christelle Langley riding ‘Midnight Fable’, both from Bristol, were thrilled to receive their innovative prizes.
Organiser Lesley Stewart said, ‘Accounts have yet to be finalised but we are confident that a generous donation will
be made to support the work of the charity started by Hannah herself, Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity, which funds research into bone cancer and also fulfils equestrian wishes for seriously ill people.’ “We look forward to hearing news about whether this will become an annual event, and maybe even an affiliated one,” said Arioneo’s Claire Hubbard. “This charity holds a special place in our thoughts and we will continue to support such a great cause moving forward.”
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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