From semi-feral to H&H winner
A PONY who was found untouched and terrified of humans has defied his bad start to win World Horse Welfare’s Horse & Hound “achieving against the odds” award.
Yogi was chosen by an H&H panel as one of the victors of the charity’s 2017 rehomed horse of the year awards.
He was a “hairy two-year-old” when he arrived at World Horse Welfare, a spokesman said.
“In January 2006, World
Horse Welfare was called to assist an owner who had ended up with young, unhandled ponies Yogi and Mo, and was unable to care for them,” the spokesman added.
“They had rarely experienced human contact and were both extremely nervous when they arrived at Hall Farm to begin their journey to rehabilitation.
“Yogi was just two and it took the team a long time to build his trust in humans with daily handling and care.”
When he was ready to be rehomed, the 12.2hh part-bred Welsh pony went to live with driving enthusiast Liz Harcombe, who spotted his potential and, when he was old enough, started training him to be driven.
Since then, his achievements include being reserve national champion at the British national carriage-driving championships in 2011 and coming third in 2013.
“I’m thrilled that Yogi has won this award,” Ms Harcombe said. “This pony keeps bringing people
together and gives us all so much fun.
“This year he has competed successfully in private driving classes, driving trials as a single and as a tandem leader, attelage and even pony club and riding club demos. His versatility is amazing; he always tries his hardest and I count my lucky stars that I was able to take him on.
“Thank you so much for the award, it’s a wonderful bonus after a great year for Yogi.”
“I can honestly say he is the pony of my lifetime and will have a home for life with us.”
H&H editor Pippa Roome said the team was “delighted” to judge Yogi the winner.
“To see a pony pull back from a bad start to compete so successfully is testament to the care of World Horse Welfare and the attention and training he has been given by his rehomer, Liz, since he found his home for life with her,” she added.
World Horse Welfare deputy chief executive Tony Tyler said rehoming should always be the “go-to option” for anyone looking for a new horse or pony.
He added: “From loyal companions to horse agility superstars, lead-rein ponies to driving dynamos and hacking horses to show ring successes — it seems there is nothing rehomed horses and ponies cannot do!”