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The Workforce

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 picture. Teddy, born in 1988, 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 & Corus Colours.

Little Barney picture.

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 and Miss Catherine Hellin.

Chester picture.

Chester is a 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.
Homer picture. WHW Homer is 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.
Milo picture. Milo. born in 1998, 13.2hh grey Connemara.  He arrived in February 2006 and settled  very well to RDA work.  He's another lovable character and has a growing fan club. He is a very quiet pony who does as he is told. He looks absolutely adorable looking at you over the stable door. Staff say he enjoys his weekend hacks around the mountain. Owned by Mrs Nicola Bibby. Sponsored by Mr Stephen Bennett.
Glen picture. Glen, born in 1999, 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 C Green.

Masarla picture.

Marsala was born in 2002 and 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.

Hamilton picture.

Hamilton is a 14hh piebald. He joined us in summer 2010. He was born in 1999. Staff say he's settled well and is really enjoying his work. Owned by Mrs Suzanne Hamilton and sponsored by Marks & Spencer Money.
Aladdin picture. Aladdin, born in 1990, 14.1hh registered Bay Welsh Cob who is enthusiastic yet sensible in his work, again he is that useful size to be ridden by both adults and children. He always talks to you with a 'nicker' when you walk into the stable. Staff say he's the boss in the field. Owned by the Centre. Sponsored by Hawarden & District Inner Wheel and Mr & Mrs Maurice Cottle.
Bud picture. Bud, born in 1991,14.1hh, 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.

Guinness 2 picture.

Guinness 2 is 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 and sponsored by Mrs Esme Owen.
George picture. George, born in 1991, 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 M & S Wrexham.
 

Sonny picture.

Sonny. 14.2hh. Born 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 Councillor Mrs Joan Lowe.
Mr Harvey picture. Mr Harvey was born in 2005 and 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 Peter Clayton.
Paddy picture. Paddy is 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 Enrichment Technology UK Ltd.
Zak picture. WHW Zak, born in 1993, 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, Mrs Trish Lovell and Wrexham RDA Group.
Blue picture. Blue is 15.1hh, piebald cob born in 1999. He’s a real sweetie who loves kisses! The students ride him and all get on well with him. He’s a real gentleman. Staff say he doesn't put a hoof wrong. Owned by CSRC. Sponsored by Bank of America (Chester), Mr Neil Fitzsimmons and Mrs M Todd.
Ben picture. Ben, a 15.1hh pony, 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.
Picture of Dudley. Dudley, born in 1994, is a black cob 15.1hh.  He is an active horse who has been shown successfully and is enjoying his role in life. He is now a star as he won the RDA Dressage to Music Competition at the National Championships this 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.
Baldrick picture. WHW Baldrick, born in 1996, is a 15.2hh piebald cob gelding. He is a strong and steady horse who, although ideal for the less able riders, is active enough for those more capable. Best all-rounder you'll ever have. Staff say he's no oil painting - but we all love him. Owned by World Horse Welfare. Sponsored by Mr & Mrs Roy Dennis (in memory of their son Richard) and Newstead Charity.
Benson picture. 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 picture. Big Charlie, born 1998, 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?

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.

Basil sadly has been put to sleep.

ILPH Aurora Borealis (Rory) went on an adventure with Di Porter and one of our riders Cerys Hudson. Sadly Rory has now been put down because of an injury to his hock.

Gordon had returned to his owner Lyn but we understand he was put down recently.

Bobby has now sadly passed on after having much fun and giving so much love to the Everall family.

Timmy has started a new adventure with our Izzy. He has settled in well and made two new girl friends. He is exploring his new hacking territory.

Banner is now enjoying his retirement with a family in Treuddyn and is loving all the fuss and attention he is receiving.

Swlltyn retired in July 2007. He is on loan to one of our volunteers.

Wynn was sold in July 2007 to a lovely competitive home in Pembrokeshire. We wish his new owner lots of luck and fun with him.

Luke had a well-deserved change of scene in July 2007. He has retired to be with the family of our Founder Trustee Ann Sopwith. We're sure he'll have lots of fun with his new friends.

Bob-the-Cob is returning home. Our thanks to Kelvin Evans for lending Bob to us.

Claude has started a new career; he has gone to stay with our President's sister. We're sure he's going to enjoy his new life-style.

Fudge has returned home and is enjoying his retirement. Although Fudge was only with us for a few months, he made a big impression and gained lots of friends. He will be greatly missed. Our thanks to the Woolley family for the loan of Fudge.

Brython has retired from his work at the Centre, and is living a life of luxury in Cornwall.

Blade has now returned to his owner. We are sorry to see him go, but are grateful for the time he was able to spend with us at the Centre.

Albert is enjoying a well-earned retirement with one of our volunteers, Bronwen Morrison, and will enjoy being fussed over by her little grand-children.

Big Barney is also enjoying a well-earned retirement and living in the lap of luxury at Hawarden Castle !!

Big Merlin has returned home to his owner Marion Lambert. He will be much missed by his number 1 fan Cerys.

McGregor has gone home to his owners, and we are very grateful to the family for lending him to the Centre for some six years. He is a really lovely horse and we will miss him greatly.

Little Merlin has been sold to one of our staff - Ruth.

Max sadly has been put down. He is sorely missed by everyone - staff, riders and volunteers. He gave many riders a wonderful start and his kindness was appreciated by everyone who spent time with him.

Jake has taken retirement and is now with one of our riders who already had Jake's full brother - so the two boys are together again!

 

Sponsorship

Junior Members of the Berwyn & Dee Pony Club, who raised money to sponsor Swlltyn, presenting their cheque with Katherine - one of our Tuesday evening riders.

 

Clwyd Special Riding Centre is a unique charity run by a group of volunteers. Every week it offers around 170 people the chance to enjoy the pleasure and stimulation of riding and carriage driving.

However, it costs around £600 a year for general care and another £600 for shoeing of just one of the above ponies - essential, as you will agree, to the work of the Centre. In order to provide for our ponies, we rely entirely on donations and sponsorship.

If you would like to sponsor a pony, you'll receive a certificate and an invitation to come and meet your new four legged friend. Sponsorship is open to individuals, families, friends, organisations and businesses, and you can sponsor a pony for 1, 6, or 12 months. Your generosity can make the world of difference, so if you'd like to support a charity which does so much to improve the quality of life for people with special needs, it would certainly be a rewarding new initiative.

Any help that you can give is always greatly appreciated, so if you are interested in making a donation/sponsoring a pony we would love to hear from you. If you leave your postal address when you e-mail us we will send you a brochure with a donation/sponsorship form on it. Of course on receiving this form no donation is obligatory. Your sponsorship can make a world of difference, so please, give what you can.


Location News Contact Us RDA
Diary Trustees Staff Volunteering History
Overview of CSRC & RDA.   Your Legacy