Rehomed driving pony Yogi adds another title to his collection at the National Championships.
Posted on 10/09/2019
Share
Rescue pony World Horse Welfare Yogi and team-mate Devon claimed the win in the tandem class at the National Carriage Driving Championships on 1st September 2019 with rehomer Liz. Yogi, standing at 12.3hh and now aged 16, may have had a sorry start in life but he hasn’t let that stop him!
Yogi came into World Horse Welfare’s care as a two-year-old after he and his field-mate were bought by someone with very little knowledge of their background. Both ponies were unhandled, entire and being kept in an over-grazed paddock next to a field of mares. Having contacted World Horse Welfare for advice, the owner eventually agreed that it was in the ponies’ best interests to be signed over to the charity.
Yogi was extremely nervous of any human contact on arrival but with consistent, patient handling from his groom his confidence began to develop. In time, Yogi was ready for rehoming as a youngster to continue his handling and education on the ground.
When he was old enough to be broken to drive, Yogi’s potential swiftly became apparent. Rehomer Amy Last started his training as a driving pony and quickly realised that Yogi had some real talent. In due course, Liz Harcombe took over the reins and Yogi’s competitive driving career began in earnest.
When he was ten, Liz decided to try Yogi as a tandem leader to give his younger, greener team-mate time to develop in strength and confidence. Since then, the team have gone from strength to strength, taking part in countless displays and competing in driving trials all over the country.
The 2019 National Championships was Yogi and Devon’s first three-day event and it’s safe to say both ponies rose to the challenge magnificently.
“Yogi and Devon put in an amazing performance on the final day, listening carefully and responding to every request for more pace despite the tough marathon phase the day before. I couldn’t ask more of them; they tried their socks off and coped so well with the atmosphere and a bit of pressure from me to get it right.
“There were huge smiles in the lap of honour, a pile of ribbons and a tear or two from me! I doubt the ponies care too much about the rosettes, trophy and national title but they loved the chance to buck and kick and roll when we got home like nothing had happened!
“Thank you, World Horse Welfare. Who would have thought that a little nervous unwanted two-year-old could be National Champion at 16 and still years left? Yogi is truly my pony of a lifetime.”
Liz Harcombe describing the team’s experience at the National Championships
Inspired by Yogi’s story? Check out our horses and ponies ready to find new homes here.
Share
Topics
Related News
Rehomed Shetland now thriving at Aboyne centre after horrific neglect
When Haggis was found he was riddled with lice, grossly overweight and showing signs of laminitis, an extremely painful and sometimes fatal condition affecting horses’ hooves.
Pony who suffered horrific injury is now farm favourite
Moses has been transformed into a stunning, cheeky young cob and is now Sponsor a Stableyard cover star.
Recommended Blog Posts
End of life: a decision most horse owners dread, but how do you prepare for it?
Field Officer Penny Baker shares her thoughts on how horse owners can prepare for the decision nobody wants to have to make.
Post Olympic reflections on equestrian sport
We all have the power and the responsibility to move towards more ethical and evidence-based equestrianism.
The senior horse: nutrition in sickness and in health
Find out more about the key considerations when caring for older horses, whether in work or retired and whatever their health status.
Enjoy reading stories like this?
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Join over 65,000 other horse lovers and sign up for our email newsletter
Sign me up now
