Volunteer Your Pony

Most of the ponies used by the Group are loaned to us by their owners. If you have a pony which may be suitable for RDA use, please contact us.

We are always keen to recruit new ponies.

Ponies

roseRose

Born 1997, 14hh chestnut New Forest pony belonging to Emily Escott has been on loan to the group for some years now. She lives with Heineken and Polly.

Rose has a bit of a split personality; she is sweet and reliable to ride, very rarely putting a foot wrong and has won heaps of rosettes for our riders but she can be a little mareish and does not like other ponies very much (especially Polly!)

UNLESS they are tall dark and handsome and totally out of her league!

TobyToblerone or Toby

Born 1998, 14hh grey New Forest pony is on loan to the group from Margaret Fogg’s daughter Hannah. In a previous life Toby shared a field with Barty, but he is altogether more civilised in the manners department. Before he came to us Toby had a go at most things with Hannah and was particularly successful showing. He is mostly a very cool dude who manages to look smooth working just as hard as he needs to.

Always immaculately turned out, Toby has been particularly successful for our riders in regional and national competitions.

Rudolph

Born in 2011, Ru is a 13.2 Piebald ‘Gypsy’ Cob. Having been rescued from neglect, he now has a permanent home with Chrissy Well at South Brockwells Farm. For such a young pony, Ru has an amazingly calm personality and has taken to RDA work brilliantly. He has become a real favourite with riders and leaders.

 

 

Polly

Born 2002, 13hh Haflinger mare belongs to one of Lesley’s clients. She is an excellent weight carrier and has a particularly fast walk combined with a slow trot which makes her popular with leaders. Despite the fact that she has fairly limited experience Polly, has taken really well to RDA work and we are very grateful to Lesley for bringing her and her owner for loaning her.

 

Dom

Domino; look out for the spots! Dom is a very pretty little dark bay Dartmoor, approximately 12 hh pony who belongs to Vicky Breen. Domino is in his 20s, is unflappable and knows his job.

 

 

 

Billy

His real name is Olde Oaks William. He is a 13.2hh 18-year-old strawberry roan New Forest owned by Jane Walsh. Billy is a real handy pony who has been a wedding attendant, a champion in hand at Hickstead and regularly attends pony club. He is very good at winning races at RDA.

 

Bruno

He is generously lent to us by his owner Plumpton College for Wednesday afternoons. A sensible steady 12-year-old skewbald cob who is a chunky 14.3hh and is ideal for our taller riders. He is an unflappable chap who seems to enjoy a change of pace from his usual college work. Bruno is a real asset for the group.

 

Heineken (now retired)

Born 1991, 13.3hh grey Highland pony has been owned by the group since 1999. He is our most experienced RDA pony and as such comes into his own working with our more nervous and wobbly riders. Off lead he is safe and reliable but not always easy; Heineken has strong opinions on how he should be ridden.

Heineken has been with Hope in the Valley for many years but was recently diagnosed with cataracts. He has been much loved by many of our riders so we have kept him featured on this page.