When we lose a horse it can feel like the loss of a family member.   The bond between horse and rider is something quite special.   Horses have been by our sides throughout history; carried us into war, transporting our cargo, and being used as a symbol of power and wealth.   These days most equestrians know that we would all be much wealthier without our 4legged friends!

Social media allows a window into the lives of our equestrian peers making us feel a part of their journey.   I take great pleasure in seeing what my horsey friends are up to and indeed, riders I have never met.

The Tapner Eventing Team posted a status on January 15^th 2018 informing the equestrian community of the loss of their daughter, Maddie’s wonderful pony- Polly.   Polly had obviously made a huge impact on not only Maddies life, but the whole family, “As a family we are shocked and heartbroken”.   Many girls dream of owning a pony and a bedroom filled with red rosettes, or any rosettes for that matter! And Maddie was no exception, “Maddie’s bedroom is a colourful wash of rosettes and pictures of them together”.   As a horse lover I feel instant empathy for how Maddie and her family must be feeling, even at the age of 30 I am still that young girl with a shrine of photos and rosettes of my horse and I.

As a team Polly and Maddie were steadily making equestrian world domination with many titles to their two and a half year partnership, “Grassroots individual and team champion, 2nd place at Gatcombe Arena Eventing, best mare in the VWH PC club” to name a few of their achievements.

Maddie and her family obviously feel truly thankful to Polly’s owners, Tessa and Zara Heathcote, “We are so grateful to Tessa and Zara Heathcote for allowing us to have Polly for the last 2 and a half years, she really was one in a million. We are heartbroken but so so grateful that Polly was trusted to us”.

The Equestrian community has shown great support to the Tapner Team at this sad time with one follower commenting, “such a pleasure watching the partnership! One in a million rip Polly, my heart goes out to you Maddie ?xx”

Polly was a pony of a lifetime and touched many people on her journey.

RIP Polly Pocket Rocket x