RSPCA at Equifest – Elsa Wins Top Spot

A horse that was rescued by the RSPCA earlier this year has won a prestigious prize at one of the biggest equine events in the country, where seven rescue ponies were also adopted.

Elsa, a yearling filly who was abandoned with horrific burns to her legs was crowned PRP Horsebox Rescue / RSPCA Rescue Pony Of The Year at the weekend.

The atmosphere in the Peterborough arena was electric for the entire evening, as spectators watched the champions announced in each class. But it was the PRP/RSPCA Rescue Horse and Pony Class which moved the audience so much with each horse or pony’s story, many were in tears, including judges.

Elsa was rescued by the RSPCA back in January this year, after she was found abandoned in a quiet country lane in Tyne & Wear, suffering with horrific wounds to her back legs. The injury was enormous and so severe that even her muscles were exposed.

However, the plucky little pony defied all odds and over the last eight months has made a miraculous recovery in RSPCA care, and this weekend at Equifest was crowned Rescue Pony of the Year.

Lisa Paulin, equine yard manager at RSPCA Felledge in County Durham who took Elsa into the class herself, said: “We just couldn’t be prouder of Elsa, the whole show was emotional for us but to hear Elsa’s name announced in the main arena at Equifest, as the Rescue Pony of the Year was just wonderful.

“Elsa’s road to recovery has been long and tough, but the team and I can’t put into words how proud we are to show the world just how far she’s come. It won’t be long before Elsa will be ready to be adopted. Whoever gives her a forever home will be a very lucky person!”

Out of over 75 horses and ponies who had been qualifying in classes earlier in the day, with the top two from each of the six classes going through to Saturday evening’s championship, with Elsa ultimately taking the top spot and being crowned overall champion.

The tough job of choosing the winner was down to judges Mrs Julie Templeton, Mr Daniel Park, Mr Adam Pike, Ms Linda Lodge, Ms Sandra Lawrence, Mrs Jo Jefferson who all agreed that judging the class was an extremely emotional process. From each of the six classes, Mrs Ann Green judged the best conditioned, and Jamie Phillips, son of Jon Phillips who sponsors the classes, was left with the difficult task of selecting the overall ‘Best Condition’ champion.

The team of six judges went on to praise the reserve champion, Crackerjack – a pony also rescued by the RSPCA and rehomed from Equifest three years ago to Thomas Marshall. Coloured cob Oscar who was brought to the event by the RSPCA, found his forever home with Jenny Wellens who took him into the class where he was crowned the ‘Best Conditioned’ champion.

This year was the fifth RSPCA and PRP Rescue Services Rescue Horse/Pony of the Year competition and attracted more entries than ever for the six in-hand and ridden classes.

Other horses and ponies entered into the class came from numerous equine charities and sanctuaries including Blue Cross, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, British Horse Society, and World Horse Welfare, and the horses and ponies were judged on their stories of survival as well as their transformation.

Horses from the RSPCA’s specialist equine centres – Felledge Equine Centre in County Durham, Millbrook Animal Centre and Lockwood Centre for Horses and Donkeys in Surrey – were taken along to the event to meet members of the public. Seven were reserved by new owners, with the majority going directly from Equifest to their new homes as home checks were completed during the week of the show.

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde said: “What a wonderful Equifest show this has been. From rehoming seven ponies,and seeing more reserved, to watching the wonderful Elsa be crowned the RSPCA and PRP Rescue Pony of the Year, it’s been fantastic.

“Equifest is such a great way to celebrate the work of charities, sanctuaries and new owners as well as showcase horses and ponies who need new homes. We are so proud of Elsa and Crackerjack, they are a shining example of the work we do here at the RSPCA.

“I’d like to thank all of our generous sponsors and the organisers of Equifest. Without them this increasingly popular competition would not be possible.”

Chief inspector Hyde added: “I’d also like to thank my fantastic team of equine officers, centre staff and rehoming officers who have assisted with the RSPCA stand here by talking to visitors, answering questions and securing homes for the horses and ponies we brought with us. That really is a fantastic result and great news for the super horses and ponies we have that are looking for their forever homes.”

All winners receive rosettes, sashes and prize money donated by main sponsor PRP Horsebox Rescue, as well as products and vouchers from Equine Essential Oils, Classic Collection Jewellery. The overall champion was also presented with a bronze statue donated by RSPCA Bolton Branch.

C&C Horse Transport generously assisted with transport for the RSPCA horses to attend the event.

To find out about adopting an RSPCA rescue horse or pony log onto www.rspca.org.uk/homesforhorses or support the work to tackle the horse crisis text HORSE to 70111 to give £3