First ever Rescue Horse/Pony of the Year

A young rescued horse which was found dumped on some scrub land in Heywood

The RSPCA and PRP Rescue Services first ever Rescue Horse/Pony of the Year is due to get underway this week with many more entries than anticipated.

48 entries have been received for Saturday’s competitions – 26 for the in-hand classes and 22 for the ridden classes.

Equifest attracts more than 10,000 entries for its showing, show jumping, dressage and carriage driving classes, which take place over five days. This year the event will run from 15 to 19 August, with the rescue event taking place on Saturday 18 August.

The top two competitors in each class in the Rescue Horse/Pony competition will go forward to the evening performance when the overall Champion Rescue Horse of the Year will be chosen.

The trophy, sashes, rosettes and prize money will then be presented to the Champion and Reserve winners.

For the five days of Equifest, the RSPCA will have a display unit at the show which is being manned by our specialist equine officers. We will be joined each day by other equine charities including Redwings, World Horse Welfare, Blue Cross and the Donkey Sanctuary.

The RSPCA’s Felledge Equine Centre in County Durham will be taking rescued horses to Equifest to compete in the competition and also to try to find new homes for them. C&C Horse Transport have kindly donated their horse boxes, drivers and grooms to the centre so that the horses can travel in style to the event.

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde, national equine co-ordinator, said: “To receive almost 50 entries for the very first competition is more than we anticipated. It is hoped that the RSPCA’s presence at the show will highlight some of the heartbreaking equine welfare issues that we deal with and show that adopted horses and ponies go on to live happy and successful lives.

“We will also have eight horses and ponies at the event which are all looking for new homes and will be taking part in the competitions.

“Hundreds of people answered our call to foster young rescued horses and ponies in our Stable Future campaign and we are hopeful that this and this great new competition will prove a turning point in people considering a rescued equine, rather than only thinking of buying.”