Pair epitomises the horse and rider bond

A rescue pony who survived against the odds and went on to help his rehomer beat cancer has been crowned Supreme Champion at the Rehomed Horse of the Year Awards.

Chronic grass sickness

When Hercules came to World Horse Welfare in 2011 he was given a 2 percent chance of making it, as he was suffering from chronic grass sickness.

Showing true Herculean spirit, he fought back – and with the help of the staff at Glenda Spooner Farm he made a full recovery.

Alison Ironside took Hercules on as a three-year-old and backed him herself, but was then diagnosed was breast cancer in March 2014.

“After various surgeries, treatments, drugs, plus many months sat in a chair I decided that it was time I started riding again,” she said. “Out of all my ponies I knew that Hercules was the one I could trust to look after me in my very weak state.”

‘Close relationship’

Alison said Hercules seemed to understand her situation and “never put a foot wrong”.

Hercules was crowned Supreme Champion by World Horse Welfare chief executive Roly Ower, who said his bond with Alison “epitomises the close relationship between horse and owner.”

World Horse Welfare’s annual Rehomed Horse of the Year Awards has three categories: Funniest Anecdote, Biggest Achievement and Faithful Friend.

‘Inbuilt sensitivity’

Faithful Friend, judged by Jane Holderness-Roddam, was also won by Hercules.

“I have chosen Hercules because despite being a bit of a wild child himself, he appeared to recognise and respond to his owner’s needs when she was ill and curtailed his natural exuberance throughout her rehabilitation, probably because he understood how important it was to fight to survive,” said Jane. “This inbuilt sensitivity shows true friendship.”

Olympic dressage rider Richard Davison picked Wally as winner of the Funniest Anecdote, thanks to his habit of stealing his rehomer’s walking stick, grinning for a peppermint and weeing on command!

‘Choked up’

The winner of the Biggest Achievement category was Su, who has taught hundreds of disabled children to ride during her 16 years of service Riding for the Disabled.

Eventer and World Horse Welfare Patron Pippa Funnell, who chose Su as the winner said: “Her story really choked me up when I think of all the people she has helped.”