This page is dedicated to our resident horses which are owed so much by the Centre and the riders. There is a small amount of information about each horse, and a picture. To view the whole enlarged picture, click on the horse’s head next to the caption. Horses are listed in ascending order of size.

Teddy – Born in 1988, this 11.2hh, dun Welsh X gelding is still the fattest of the small ponies which is no surprise as his two interests in life are eating and resting. A very quiet, lovable pony, he is very popular with both riders and helpers. Staff say he is the oldest member of the team but still enjoys popping a jump or two. Bought for the Centre by Service Point UK. Sponsored Mrs Christine Lyon and Llangollen Pantomime Group.

Little Barney – Born in 1996. A 12hh Grey, Welsh Section C. Given to the Centre by Kathryn Levens after she grew out of him. He is cute, he is soft, he is steady. Staff say “He’d much rather be in the warm with his PJ’s on”. Sponsored by Sue & Simon McNally.

Chester – A pretty 12.2 hh Chestnut Welsh Section B pony. He joined us in the summer of 2010. He was born in 1994. Staff say he’s by far the cuddliest pony ever and puts a smile on your face. Owned by Mrs Caroline Gladstone. Sponsored by Mr R Williams & Family and Whitchurch Young Farmers Club.

WHW Homer -  What everyone thinks an RDA pony should look like! A 13.1hh piebald cob gelding with ‘a leg at each corner’. Born in 1996, with a lovely temperament and a real asset. He is very loving and cuddly and stands very still when being brushed. Staff say he’s very good at giving riders confidence off the lead rein. Owned by World Horse Welfare; sponsored by Hope Mountain RDA group and Mr & Mrs K Williams.

Glen – Born in 1999 he is a 14hh grey Highland. An experienced ‘ride and drive’ pony who did RDA work with a group near Hull. He came to us in 2006, and has made many friends. Very cheeky at times but never says ‘No’ to what is asked of him. Staff say “He tries very hard at his vaulting and is multi-talented. He’s also happy to be a climbing frame!”. Owned by CSRC and sponsored by The JAR Dance Group and Mr & Mrs Maurice Cottle .

Marsala – Born in 2002 he is a 14hh Cremello Connemara owned by the Centre. Competed in Para-dressage competitions. We love his pink nose and pink eyes – he’s cute. A very sensible character who fits in really well. A sweet little pony that adapts to his riders and always tries his best to understand what he is asked. Staff say he glows when he’s clean. Marsala is sponsored by Mr Wilf Stoddart and Newstead Charity.

Hamilton - A 14hh piebald. He joined us in summer 2010. He was born in 2003. Staff say he’s settled well and is really enjoying his work. Owned by Mrs Norton and sponsored by Marks & Spencer Money.

Bud – Born in 1991, a 14.1hh, Welsh Cob Section D bay gelding. He is so sweet and an absolute star. He is very friendly and likes lots of fuss; he is an asset to the team. Staff say he always works hard for his riders. Owned by the Centre. Sponsored by the Dyffryn Ceiriog RDA support group and Clwyd Welsh Pony & Cob Association.

Guinness - A 14.1hh dark bay cob. He joined us in summer 2010. He was born in 2002. Staff say he’s the new boy and is fitting in well. Owned by Miss Hannah Bates. Sponsored by North Wales Endurance Group and Mr K Shaw.

George – Born in 1991, he is a 14.2hh Bay Welsh Section D. He is very laid back and has settled in really well. He tries very hard and is already very popular with everyone. Staff say Super George is still a super dressage pony. He is owned by Mrs Val Heyworth and is sponsored by Mrs G Hughes & Family in memory of the late Mr Rod Hughes.

Sonny - 14.2hh and born in 1995, Welsh Section D chestnut gelding. He arrived in January 2008 and soon became Milo’s best friend. Another friendly person, who is very vocal if ignored in the stable! He is proving to be a good all-rounder. He is so handsome and suave! Cheeky but lovable. Staff say “He’s still such a diva!”. Owned by Dawn Forrester and sponsored by BHP Billiton Petroleum.

Mr Harvey – Born in 2005 he is a 14.2hh Skewbald Cob. He has a wonderful laid back temperament and seems to have really enjoyed his move from the National Trust to CSRC. He has settled in well and made lots of new friends with his fellow equines and was bought for CSRC with the help of Urenco Limited and the fundraising efforts of Dawn Mason who ran the Helsby Half Marathon in 2009. Staff say he thinks he’s a surfer dude and is cool as a cucumber! Kindly sponsored by Mr & Mrs Dennis in memory of their son Richard and Malpas Young Farmers Club.

Paddy – A 14.3hh, tri-coloured Irish cob born in 1998. To quote Kiri – “He’s a squidgy big teddy bear”! He’s really going to enjoy his work and seems to have been made for the job – pity there aren’t more like him around. Staff say he was born for the RDA! Owned by CSRC and sponsored by Mrs Rosemary Stretch and Mr S Bennett.

WHW Zak – Born in 1993, this 15hh Irish Draught X Arab chestnut gelding is well established now and although he is able to adapt to riders with different abilities he is particularly useful for the more capable adults. Zak likes to be sung to sleep. He is gentle and understanding. He likes his food – perhaps a bit too much! Jane in the office says “He can come home and live with me”. Owned by World Horse Welfare; sponsored by the late Mr Dick Broughall and Mrs Trish Lovell.

Blue – A handsome 15.1hh, piebald cob born in 1999. He’s a real sweetie who loves kisses! He’s a real gentleman. Staff say he doesn’t put a hoof wrong. Owned by CSRC. Sponsored by Bank of America (Chester) and Mr Neil Fitzsimmons.

Ben – A 15.1hh horse, born in 1991, piebald cob gelding who has particularly active paces. He is very willing and so is very popular with our regular riders as well as the holidays. He is very gentle and especially enjoys being groomed. Staff say he still likes the mud – but not the hosepipe! Bought for the Centre by Wrexham RDA group. Sponsored by Mrs Ann Mayfield and Eaton Golf Club – Ladies Section.

Dudley – Born in 1994, he is a black cob  standing at 15.1hh. He is an active horse who has been shown successfully and is enjoying his role in life. He is  a star as he won the RDA Dressage to Music Competition at the National Championships one year. Everyone calls him ‘Cuddly Dudley’ – he’s simply the best. Very friendly and lovable and known by everyone. He was given to the Centre by Miss Brenda Owen and is sponsored by Maelor Ladies and Miss Jane Irving.

Benson – A 15.2hh Skewbald Sports Horse. A young, happy horse who loves people. He’s so lovely and has already made lots of friends. Born in 2003. He’s the sporty horse who has a cheeky charm about him and always gives you a good ride. Staff say he’s getting to grips with dressage for our independent riders. Owned by CSRC. Sponsored by Mr & Mrs Bryan Lambert and GAP Personnel.

Big Charlie – Born in 1998, he is a 16.2hh Draught X Chestnut gelding; a very kind horse who tries his best to please and is proving very useful as he can adapt to a variety of riders. The comfiest ride ever. A good horse in every way – a real man’s horse. Staff say he’s the BFG and has been practising his cantering lots. Bought for the Centre with the proceeds from a Marks & Spencer (Wrexham) Charity Pack. He is sponsored by Miss Karen Hart and Mrs Ann Newton.

Where are they now?

Baldrick very sadly passed away on 31 October 2011 and is hugely missed by staff, riders and everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting him

Macho. October 2011. After being with us for a short time, Macho has now returned to his owner in Ruthin.

Aladdin. September 2011. Aladdin has recently retired from RDA work and is now living with one of our lovely volunteers in Malpas. We will get regular updates on him and are sure that he will be very much loved and spoiled in his new home.

Milo sadly passed away after a bout of colic in May 2011.

Sadly Chad passed away peacefully in the field on Friday 30 September 2010.

Little Harvey has now been sold and has moved on to pastures new with a family near Ruthin.

Guinness has retired from RDA work. Dawn Forrester, owner of Guinness, decided to keep him at home after his retirement. He did RDA work for just over a year with us.

Blackie is now enjoying retirement with Trustee Mrs Pat Green’s grandchildren just down the road from the Centre in Hope.

Little Charlie has returned in retirement to his owner in Holywell.