when she was ill and curtailed his
natural exuberance throughout her
rehabilitation, probably because he
understood how important it was to
fight to survive. This inbuilt sensitivity
shows true friendship"
Hercules was then chosen to receive
the ‘Supreme Champion’ accolade by
World Horse Welfare Chief Executive,
Roly Owers who was inspired by Alison
and Hercules’ story. He said:
“I found Alison and Hercules’
story really moving. Their bond of
trust epitomises the close relationship
between horse and owner and whilst we
had so many fantastic entries, I feel that
Hercules has well and truly earned his
‘Supreme Champion’ award.”
World Horse Welfare’s annual
Rehomed Horse of the Year competition
invited nominations from its 1,700
World Horse Welfare horses and
ponies currently out in homes around
the country, celebrating their stories
as part of its Rehome a Horse Month.
Three categories were open for entries
including; Funniest Anecdote, Biggest
Achievement and Faithful Friend.
The winner of the Funniest Anecdote
was World Horse Welfare Wally, a horse
awarded the title by Olympic dressage
rider, Richard Davison, thanks to this
tendencies of stealing his rehomer’s
walking stick, grinning for a peppermint
and peeing on command. Richard
said: “I just loved the images of Wally
peeing on command, and removing
Dad's walking stick. It must be chaotic
ensuring Wally pees precisely on cue,
while Dad is sending Maydays from
halfway down the field because his
walking stick has been removed. What
must the neighbours think?”
The winner of the Biggest
Achievement category was World Horse
Welfare Su who has not only been a
faithful family pony but has also given
hundreds of disabled children the chance
to experience the joys of riding thanks to
her long service of 16 years with Riding
for the Disabled. Olympic eventer and
World Horse Welfare Patron Pippa
Funnell MBE crowned Su the category
winner. Pippa said: “In the end, Su
pipped it for me because she has clearly
helped so many people through her long
experience at the RDA, and that kind of
life-changing achievement may not be
recognised elsewhere. Her story really
choked me up when I think of all the
people she has helped.”
Above: Wally smiling for the camera with his rosette
Below: World Horse Welfare Su with her rossette and long service award
November 2015 • Issue 26 • Everything Horse Magazine
7