Image: Alison and
Hercules at home
jumping
Supreme Champion Pony and Rehomer Beat the Odds Together
World Horse Welfare Hercules crowned
Supreme Champion in charity’s annual
Rehomed Horse of the Year Awards
Rescue pony, World Horse Welfare
Hercules has been crowned Supreme
Champion in the charity’s annual
Rehomed Horse of the Year Awards
thanks to his incredible will to survive
and his role in helping his rehomer,
Alison overcome breast cancer.
Below: Hercules upon arrival at World Horse Welfare
6
Hercules arrived at World Horse
Welfare’s Glenda Spooner Farm in
2011 with chronic grass sickness, an
illness which gave him just a two per
cent chance of survival. Thanks to the
dedicated team at World Horse Welfare
and Hercules’ fighting spirit he made a
full recovery, well and truly earning his
warrior name.
Alison Ironside rehomed Hercules
as a three year old, continuing his
education and then backing him to ride.
Alison said: “In March 2014 I was
diagnosed with breast cancer and after
various surgeries, treatments, drugs,
plus many months sat in a chair I
decided that it was time I started riding
again. Out of all my ponies I knew that
Hercules was the one I could trust to
look after me in my very weak state. In
true caring fashion, even at his young
age, Hercules seemed to understand
the situation – patiently and carefully
carrying me around the lanes never
putting a foot wrong, never spooking at
anything, never pulling on the rains and
never pushing me when I was on the
ground getting him ready.
“He is a pony that took a lot to
save but he is a pony that has given
everything he can back.”
Former Olympic gold-medallist
and eventing legend, Jane HoldernessRoddam awarded Hercules the top spot
in the awards’ ‘Faithful Friend’ category,
saying:
"I have chosen Hercules because
despite being a bit of a wild child
himself, he appeared to recognise
and respond to his owners needs
Everything Horse Magazine • Issue 26• November 2015