the ponies of hope in the valley

Rose is a chestnut New Forest mare. She is 11 years old and is owned by Emily Escott, who uses her mainly for hacking. She is 14.0 hh and she lives out all year round with Lesley Morrill and Heineken.

Emily says Rose is 90% laid back and 10% excitable -  the chestnut mare syndrome. Her favourite foods are bread, carrots, apples, mints and pony treats. She likes pulling faces at the other ponies, especially Heineken!

Toblerone (Toby) is owned by Margaret Fogg's daughter Hannah and lives in Laughton. Toby is a 14.1hh dappled grey pony who was born on the New Forest in 1999. 

He's done a bit of most things and loves showing off! His absolute favourite things are sleeping and eating, but he also loves going cross-country, bending races, showing classes and seeing his RDA friends each Wednesday.

Toby doesn't really dislike anything - as long as he gets his breakfast and tea on time he is quite happy.

Heineken has been owned by Hope in the Valley since 2000 and is kept at Lesley Morrill's yard. He is an18 year old grey Highland gelding and is 13.3hh. He lives in at night and out during the day.

Other than his RDA work, he is used for hacking. Lesley says his favourite food is anything and she describes him as cheeky and naughty - a bit of a lager lout!

Crystal is owned by the Burton family and is mainly ridden by Susanna's young daughters, Sophie and Rose. She is a 13.3hh grey Connemara mare. She is 12 years old and the Burtons have owned her for 3 years.

When not doing RDA work she enjoys hacking, Pony Club activities, show jumping, cross country and hunting. She is a laid back, affectionate pony whose favourite foods are carrots and apples. She particularly enjoyed the RDA Fun Day.

Shalimar is a 25 year old dun mare and has been owned by Anne Harding for 14 years. She is a Connemara/Thoroughbred cross and stands at 14.3hh.  She lives at South Chailey in the winter and Ditchling Common in the summer.

Anne says whilst Shalimar is very good, and can be taken anywhere, she dislikes most other ponies, in particular very small ones. The only horses she likes are tall, dark, handsome geldings.  She is particularly fond of her food.

Shalimar is mainly just ridden at Hope in the Valley now, being a little too old for regular hacking out. 

Harry is an 18 year old Eriskay Pony, he is grey and approximately 14hh. He belongs to Cheryl Martyr and lives at Bevernbridge Stables in Chailey. Cheryl says that Harry loves people and especially children.

Although he is not very keen on hard work he is broken to harness and does enjoy pulling his excercise cart. Harry lives out in a wood some of the time but likes to come in for his tea and has been known to stamp his foot if it doesn't include carrots and apples

Dylan is our largest horse at 15.2hh and retired from Plumpton College.  He lives at Nicola Crammond's with Taylor and Kerry. He is a dark bay and around 20 years old, of Irish orgin.  Despite being a bit stiff in the hindquarters he likes to keep active and enjoys hacking out with Taylor.  He is generally kept busy in the later sessions on Wednesday, being suitable for the older children.

His favourite things are Extra Strong Mints, but he doesn't like Nicola's sheep and finds trotting poles a bit tricky

Fern is 14 years old and 14.2hh. She is owned by Mandy Parks and lives in Isfield. She is a bay New Forest and is particularly fond of Toby. Her favourite thing is eating, but she isn't keen on hot air balloons or having her girth tightened!

Rio is owned by Fiona McOuat and lives with Jane Walsh. He is 12 years old and is a Welsh Section B pony.  He is a chestnut pony with lots of white markings and is very affectionate. He is known to be a bit bossy with the other ponies at home, particularly Jonjo, who used to help at Hope in the Valley. Jonjo is boss but Rio would like to be!

His favourite thing is rolling in the mud and getting as dirty as possible. He is not too keen on tractors and fast motorbikes, but loves jumping with Jane's grandson and hacking on the Downs.

He responds well to lots of kindness and reassurance.

Cyril is a 22 year old chestnut Irish Cob, owned by Michelle Bryant and kept at Bevernbridge.  He is 15.1 h.h. and solidly built with impressively hairy legs!

He is a very placid character and loves children and being given attention.  In the past he has been known to enjoy cross country jumping and gymkhana games, but is really not keen on exerting himself too much during the Hope in the Valley sessions!