Equine World UK

Ambers Mum · #1 22nd August 2010

Sovereign Pretty Lady is her full name. She is about 36 years old, my vet actually believes she is closer to 40. She was once a well known local SJ under a different name and was known as Bonnie by her family and friends. She lost contact with one of her early owners as she was thought to have been pts in the early 90's but the lady was over the moon to hear she was still around and told me about Sov's past with her and where she went to until the point of being told she was pts. In 1994 she was bought by one of the clients on the yard where I worked recently, she was to be his disabled wifes gentle hack and she was with them for about 11 years and became a very popular pony at the yard due to her patience and kindness to her old rider. I have spoken to so many people from there who have said nothing but kind words about my dear old pal. My ex bosses loved her and always spoke fondly of Sovereign. In 2006 she turned upon my farm with her new owners (my now friend) I was gutted as I never knew she had been for sale and wished I had got her as I have always had a soft spot for her. My friend bought her as a first pony for herself but old Sov was nothing of the sort for her and my friend lost her confidence in her own abilities as a rider, I was lucky enough to be able to school her on a regular basis and it did help my friend but she struggled so much when I could get any riding in and decided to sell her as a companion, Sov never sold but spent her last year with my friend, retired but not happy. She had lost teeth and began to look poor and depressed.

On March 11th 2009 KArl paid just £50 for this rundown pony. It was a dream come true. My friend was over the moon as she knew I had a strong bond with this mare and was so glad she had the home she needed. We sorted her teeth and weight out and brought her back into lightwork. Last year she qualified for the 2010 Royal London Horse Show with Hannah, we never went as I thought it was unfair to travel her too far at her age. She also was shown during the middle of the show season at local RC shows.

This year I had plans to do some Pleasure Rides and show myself, just so I could say we had done them together before she retired. We haven't managed a pleasure ride yet but there is on left locally. We have however managed two horse shows, one local RC one and a big Agricultural one. I am doing two more RC shows before the end of the season but after that we are taking a back seat and letting the youngsters take over.

So here's to Sovereign, the mare who gave me back my horsey mojo, the mare who gave me a dream and goals we could achieve together and the best friend a girl could ever wish for xxxx