Show success for Blue Cross pony

Show success for Blue Cross pony A successfully rehomed Blue Cross pony is rapidly becoming a superstar on the show circuit after picking up trophies at a series of events and even appearing at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Twyford Mallow, a grey 16-year-old Welsh Section A pony, was signed over to the charity when her caring owners sadly realised they were too busy with their new business to give her the time she deserved. They knew that The Blue Cross would assure her of a safe and comfortable future.  Mallow was extremely overweight when she arrived at the charity's Burford centre in May 2007. Although otherwise in excellent condition her predisposition to laminitis was a major concern. With veterinary advice she was placed on a strict diet and daily exercise regime. Three months later Mallow was fit and healthy and ready to be rehomed. Nikki Berry, from Sonning Common near Henley on Thames in Oxfordshire was looking for a first pony for her young daughters, nine-year-old Louise and five-year-old Christina and Mallow proved to be the perfect match. She said: "We visited Mallow a total of three times as part of the appointment process and we all fell in love with her.

She has now been with us for two years and we have built up a phenomenal collection of rosettes and some wonderful silverware! She's so safe and reliable and seems to be able to turn her hoof to just about everything -especially showing. The girls have learnt so much from her."

Mallow's first show appearance was at The Blue Cross annual horse show in Burford last year, when she won Best Blue Cross Pony 2008.  Since then she has notched up an impressive collection of wins, to the delight of her two young jockeys. 

Mallow's forte is in Mountain and Moorland competitions but she has also demonstrated her prowess in dressage, veteran and in-hand classes. Recent successes include qualifying with Christina for the Chiltern & Thames small Mountain & Moorland ridden championship and  the in-hand veteran championship in September, the Equifest novice lead rein championships at the end of August and for the Mountain and Moorland lead rein class at the 2009 Royal London Show. She has also qualified with Louise for the Royal London Mountain and Moorland open ridden championship!

With their action packed competition programme the Berry family and Mallow are doing a great job promoting the work of The Blue Cross. "We always tell people that Mallow is a Blue Cross pony," said Nikki. "They are always impressed and she has already featured on the WPCA website and had an article about her published in Welsh Breed News. We feel so privileged and lucky to have her."

If you have the knowledge and the facilities to take on a horse or pony and give them a second chance in life we would be delighted to hear from you. Priority is given to applications from within a 50 mile radius of our rehoming centres at Burford, Oxfordshire and Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffordshire. For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk/horses  or phone 01993 822454.

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