Previous Horses and Ponies

We have been privileged in the 50+ year history of the group to have owned, been given and had on loan many wonderful horses and ponies. 

George (Deards Foreman)

15hh Bay Irish Cob Gelding

George is now living a life of luxury in a private home as a riding club alrounder.

Chorus (Charm)

15hh Grey Connemara Gelding, born 2009.

Chorus has retired from ridden work and is living a relaxed life as a companion horse

Bruce (Aka Ukardo)

Bruce was a handsome black 16.3hh KWPN Warmblood Gelding.  As he was so tall, he had long legs and a very long stride.  You did not need to go to the Gym if you were leading Bruce – he gave you a very effective “workout” in the School.  We shall remember him with love and thanks for the years of service he gave to his many riders.  He was safe, reliable, kind and versatile and equally suitable for use with a 6 foot rider working independently or a small person learning to perfect their skills on the lead rein.  He was a very special member of the SB team of Schoolmasters who will be sadly missed by all who loved him.

Forrester (Millersford Forrester)  

Forrester gave numerous children their first experience of competition riding.  He has an impressive record of achievements and partnered disabled riders at all levels.  He won the very first National Countryside Challenge Championship but was equally happy to participate in Fancy Dress, Handy Pony, Music or Dressage competitions.  For many years and with many different riders he won or was placed at National level, and in 2007 won the Para Equestrian under 14 yrs Junior International Championship.  Many top level disabled riders started serious competitive careers with Forrester, including multi Gold Medal Winning Para Olympian Natasha Jaconelli (nee Baker)

During his life, Forrester became an “Honorary Rotarian” a title given to him by the Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter Rotary Club.   He was a once in a lifetime pony.  Such was his reputation that at very short notice he was requested as a substitute loan horse for a South African team rider competing in the International Paralympic Qualifying Competitions at Hartpury.  Despite his diminutive size, Forrester helped his rider to achieve a good accurate performance and qualify for the London 2012 Olympic Games!  A fantastic achievement for a 13.2hh New Forest Pony competing against serious dressage horses.

We said goodbye to him in September 2022.

Billy (Rainbow)

16hh Black, Welsh Cob Section D

Donated to South Bucks RDA by the Rainbow Children’s Trust in 2017.

Billy was a much loved member of the South Bucks team of Schoolmasters and a firm favourite with everyone with whom he came into contact.  He was the model, along with Bryony, who featured on the National RDA Handbook.  He gave confidence and great pleasure to so many people, whether riders or volunteers, and his passing has left a huge hole in our hearts.    We sadly said goodbye to him in July 2022.

Lambrusco III

Owned by the Paradressage Training Trust. Lambrusco joined us in 2006.  In 2008 he took part in the Beijing Paralympic Games with Sophie Christensen.  Together, they secured Sophie’s first Gold medal in Grade 1 para-dressage. He has also competed internationally with Ricky Balshaw  and helped countless RDA riders of all abilities.

He was voted RDA horse of the year watch his video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm4gRMA-3I0

We sadly said goodbye to him in November 2021.

Tru

Tru, an Icelandic pony joined us in 2014 with her owner Gem Hall, our Yard Manager.

Tru was a firm favourite with the smaller riders who found her  comfortable to ride compared to the other ponies, and with her thick Icelandic coat many participants had fun grooming her. We said good bye to her in June 2021.

Mickey 

Mickey,  a dark bay 16hh gelding was loaned to the group by the Haynes family. He was a very gentle horse, we said goodbye to him in January 2021.

Harley

Jo and Harley 2016

Harley joined SBRDA in 2016.  Harley is a lovable, weight carrying cob who became a firm favourite with many of the riders. He is now well established at Lambourn RDA Group.

Robin (Rebeen Red Robin)

Owned by SBRDA. Born 1998, 14.3hh Bay Gelding. He joined the group in 2014 when Southlands RDA group closed.  In 2016 he was lent to a Guatemalan rider for International Dressage.

In 2017 he won the RDA National Championship Grade 1 dressage competition with Jamie Winduss and Robin has also won the National RDA Championship Countryside Challenge with Joe Lawrence. Sadly we had to say goodbye to Robin in February  2020.

Socks – Socks joined the group as a 4-year-old and has spent a year in training.  She began to join in class lessons early in 2017 and was a firm favourite with some of the younger children. Being just a little wide for several of our diplegic riders, she left us in July 2020 to become a successful jumping pony for a private family.

As you can see, she is a very pretty pony and loves having her photo taken!

Yogi -Owned by the Drew Family. Yogi joined us in 2010.  He has taken many riders to the National Championships over the years.  Born  1995, 16hh Chestnut Thoroughbred Gelding. Yogi had a great temperament and had a wonderful shape for those riders with tighter hip joints, the classic “A” frame.We sadly had to say goodbye to Yogi in January 2020.

Fable (Franks Fable) was born here at SBRDA in 1997 and trained here onsite. She was keen to know what is going on around her and used for group lessons.  She also loved taking her riders for hacks in the woods.

Libby joined the group in 2014 and returned to the New Forest in 2016

Anya sporting a blanket clip

Junior rider learning how to learning how to lead Anya

Scottie was a dressage school master that enabled several Para Dressage hopefuls to learn more advanced riding. This included Erin Orford, who, in 2017 was part of the gold medal winning GB Team.

He was also at home in general RDA lead rein classes .

Bonnie