VHS Open Day
Having an open evening?
VHW is now able to offer a talk on the charities work, to organisations and
clubs wishing to learn more of our work. We ask for a minimal donation to
cover our travelling and costs.
Please contact Julianne for further informatio by email
Andy Nolan
It is with the deepest regret that we must inform supporters of the charity
that spokesperson Andy Nolan has sadly passed away.
Andy was a huge supporter of the work we do and in 2007, helped us greatly
in many respects, more remembered than most is the day he won us permission
to open as a visitor centre and now refused again by the National Parks, due
to conditions that are impossible to meet. For Andy we will continue to campaign
to allow supporters to the centre and once again open our doors to the public.
Andy will be so very sadly missed not only for his support to Julianne and
staff but for his overwhelming humour and wit. He had the ability to make
people laugh in the most stressful of situations and his memory will live
on in the work we do.
Andy’s wish was not for flowers or a fuss, but if anyone should wish
to make a donation in his memory, he wanted the charity to benefit. This was
just I think speaks for itself and know he will be missed by all who knew
and loved him.
The stress relayed on staff at the centre in 2007 was phenomenal and I was
under the worst pressure to continue to run the charity, society and fund
raise, so much so that I began to be unable to speak against people who appeared
to trying to close us. Immediately Andy stepped in and took over as spokesperson
and was a tower of strength, I could never thank Andy enough for that and
pledge to keep working for the good of the older horse.
Our thoughts now go out to his wife Linda Goodman who is a founder Supporter
of the charity and was a Trustee for a long while. Linda became carer for
Hercules and Alibi back in 2002, when she rescued and brought them to the
centre.
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Press Release December
2007
New Champion for the Veteran Horse Society.
This Christmas was a very Special
Christmas for 10 veterans as they competed for the title of Veteran Horse
Society Supreme Champion.
It was a spectacular competition
and every horse from 31 to 16 years looked stunning. Judged by Nigel Hollings,
it was going to be a tough competition to win. Steward and joint Chair of
the new VHS Showing Committee, Clare Frost joined Nigel in the ring, whilst
Trevor Frost and Sebastian Garner also attended as stewards.
The competition consisted of a group
presentation and individual show, with 2 in-hand horses showing their paces
with their handlers.
As they lined up waiting for the
results, the Achievement Award winner made his appearance in the ring and
this was Ypres, the metropolitan Police horse aged 16 years. He is a very
grand dark bay gelding standing at 16.1 and looked fabulous. He and rider
John Allan had a standing ovation and presentation was made by Julianne Aston,
founder of the Society and Carrie Davis, Patron of the Charity Veteran Horse
Welfare.
As Ypres left the ring, it was time
to announce who was the Supreme Champion and from thousands of veterans competing
from around the UK. Results were read out in reverse order and Supreme Champion
went to Gill Bailey-Machin’s Bowlands Diplomat, the second Irish Sport
to take the Championship, aged 16 a stunning example of condition and movement
for a veteran. Mrs Veale’s Colliyers Eclipse, ridden by junior VHS Member
Georgina Veale they looked fabulous as Georgina rode side saddle, the little
dark bay gelding moved beautifully.
When Gill spoke to us after the
event she was just overwhelmed, ‘For myself the highlight of 2007 was
for Bowlands Diplomat, who is known as Efor at home, to qualify for Olympia,
it was a very proud day for my family and I. To be able to compete at such
a prestigious event on my own horse, who is now 16, is even more special.
He has tried many disciplines in his life and not always excelled”,
explained tearful Gill,” It is a final end to a wonderful year winning
Olympia, for not only for me but for all my family and friends who have given
me so much support and his stable is just full of good luck cards, I have
no room on his door anymore,” Gill said laughing, “ I know when
I return home, he will be the star of yard, he is a lovely and gentle horse
to be around and I am so lucky to own him”. Andrew, Gill’s husband
stood by and watched proudly as she and Bowlands Diplomat were crowned champions.
Bowlands Diplomat was nameless when Gill brought him, so she called him E
for Eventing, thus Efor!
Gill brought him in 1995 and competed together at many disciplines. Although
he was brought for Eventing he adored dressage and this was more than apparent
in his individual show at Olympia. Efor travelled with Gill when she went
away teaching from Pony Club camps. He was a successful as a small riding
horse and has given Gill a tremendous amount of fun and pleasure.
Reserve Champion Colliyers Eclipse
otherwise known as Nobby has been owned by the Veale Family for 3yrs and was
originally bought for Georgina’s brother Edward as a school master.
He has been very successful in Mountain and Moorland classes, winning at County
shows, Ponies UKand Summer Championships. In his youth he won the first Search
for a Star competition and is ridden by Scott Pitt in Robert Oliver’s
video ‘Showing Ponies’. Their side saddle career started with
a winning class at Ponies UK and has taken 5 Championships this summer alone,
now he stands as the VHS Reserve Champion, a very outstanding end to 2007.
With the new ruling for the VHS
in place, all competitors can again try and qualify for Olympia and may attend
any Regional Final they wish to, with no limitation to the number of Regional
Finals they may attend, as long as this is within the VHS ruling.
Julianne Aston, Founder of the whole
Society, spoke of the class as she left the presentations.”It has been
such a difficult year for the Society, and we have had to over come some awful
situations, but this final, shows the world that we are a truly professional
organisation and the new showing committee has done a fabulous job in bringing
10 truly beautiful veterans together this morning, and as ever. weare grateful
to Olympia to allow us to show why it is so important that veteran horses
are given the opportunity of continuing to compete at an international level.
Also I must say that Ypres is just incredible and for 16 he is a massive ambassador
for the veteran and hope many other horses continue to bloom like he has”
So as 2008 begins, the Society welcomes new Members to apply to join the Society and offers a further 50 area qualifications for shows wishing to hold the very successful VHS classes.
Veteran Horse Society 2008
2008 will be a step forward for the Society and with this, new faces to take
the showing series in to the New Year. The Society will also place many more
area qualifiers around the UK and invite shows and events from the length
and breadth of the UK to consider holding qualifying classes. As the only
affiliated showing organisation dedicated to the older horse, the Veteran
Horse Society has a wealth of showing experience within its new showing committee
council.
The new Showing Council consists
of names very familiar to the veteran show world and other names from the
showing world in general. The Society welcomes Clare Frost and Debbie Machin
as Chairs along with Founder of the Society, Julianne Aston, and other members
of the committee Arwyn Jones, Clare Tubby, Trevor Frost and Jayne and Mark
Morrison. Advisors to the Council are Rob Buckley and John Bourne. Rob, a
founder Member of the Society and Senior Judge for many years, has a huge
amount of knowledge regarding veteran judging and will use his wealth of experience
to help the Committee.
This year’s Supreme Final
at Olympia will be judged by Nigel Hollings, who needs little introduction
with his successful showing and judging career. This year’s final will
held be later in the day at 11.45am on Friday 21st December 2007. Ten Champion
veterans will compete to become the new Veteran Supreme Champion in a bid
to win the Minty Memorial Trophy; a trophy donated by Julianne, in memory
of her horse Minty, who passed away at 45 and inspired her to launch the whole
Society.
So with a new team in place, the
Society is set to offer a new concept to the showing of veterans around the
UK.
Sponsors for the series will remain as for many years, Dodson and Horrell,
who have now supported the Society since the launch, and have worked with
the Society to produce some fantastic feed products for the older horse, which
have proved 100% success rate at their rehabilitation centre in Pembrokeshire.
Veteran Horse Society award goes to police horse.
Each year the Veteran Horse Society present an achievement award to an outstanding
equine and this year the honour falls on Ypres.
Ypres isn’t a retired event horse or ex dressage superstar…Ypres
is a 16hh black, 17 year old gelding who has served the country for over 13
years.
Ypres is a horse from the Metropolitan
Police. This year he appeared in Horse of the Year Show’s Police Activity
Ride and was the horse who jumped through the hoop of fire. After tackling
this amazing stunt, he returned to work escorting younger police horses, acting
as the Mounted Division’s mentor.
Ypres has been involved with a number
of different situations. He was one of the horses who took part in the Queen
Mother’s funeral and has been involved with the procession for the changing
of the guard at Buckingham Palace and at other larger state events; as well
as attending riots, demonstrations and carnivals.
Julianne Aston founder of the Veteran
Horse Society explains: “we often honour sporting heroes in our Achievement
Awards, but this year we thought it would be great for an unsung star to win.
It will be my absolute honour to present Ypres with the 2007 Achievement Award
at Olympia…he really is a horse in a million.”
World Cup Rugby Player Adopts Charity’s Veteran Horse
International Rugby star Colin Charvis, who represents Wales during this year’s
World Cup in Paris, has recently supported Veteran Horse Welfare during this
year’s Open Day and now has adopted Hercules, the charity’s 18.3hh
part Cleveland Bay.
Colin met Hercules during his recent visit to the charity’s Head Office
in Cardigan and has now adopted him.
Hercules is one of 24 horses currently
being cared for at their Pembrokeshire base and is one of the most photographed
horses at the centre. All the veteran horses at their centre have, through
no fault of their own, needed some intense rehabilitation and now are reliant
on donations from the public to continue their care and welfare. Hercules,
now 25, has been with the charity since 2002 and is one of the largest horses
in Wales and a real attraction for many who visit the centre.
Julianne Aston Chief Executive of
the Charity spoke from the centre this week: “Colin is a much valued
supporter of the charity and shows a real interest in the care and welfare
of older horses, it was a great honour for us when he attended our Open Day
earlier in the year. To have him as one of Hercules’s adopters is so
lovely, I am sure it will encourage many more people to also consider the
adoption scheme, as a way of supporting our work, especially as a Christmas
present. It costs less than 50p a week to take out an adoption and each adoption
consists of two horses, we did this as all the horses have a pair bond and
therefore we felt it would be so much nicer for supporters to adopt the pair
bond, or best friend.”
When you adopted one or two horses from the charity you will receive photographs,
a certificate and regular updates on the horse or horses you have adopted.
This summer has been so difficult for many equine organisations and Veteran Horse Welfare is no exception, the wet and cold weather and the terrible outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease, have all had a knock on effect and donations are substantially lower than previous years, this is why they hope that people will follow in Colin’s footsteps and support this very worthwhile cause.
Intelligent Horsemanship chooses Veteran Horse Welfare as their nominated charity for 2007/8
Kelly Marks from Intelligent Horsemanship has chosen Veteran Horse Welfare
as the company’s nominated charity for 2007/8.
Kelly, a renowned horsewoman, has been involved with Monty Roberts for many
years and her clinics and specialist classes are endorsed by Monty. Kelly
believes that the work of this charity is crucial to owners and horse lovers
all around the world and was able to give us her comments:
"Veteran Horse Welfare is a
wonderful charity to support, their work is invaluable and totally reliant
on donations, this is why I feel that they so need all our support. They have
to deal with some terrible cases and what can make it worse is that they are
fighting with the horse’s age against them, and this makes them so very
special. Many horses come with terrible anxiety problems, so not only their
health is impaired but their mental health as well. These guys are giving
something very special back to the horse world that many would not be able
to address let alone face day by day. Please do consider them this winter,
their funds are always stretched and their work is so vital for older horses".
The charity specialises in older horses and many of their rescue cases have, in the past, shown behavioural problems relating to their former lives. Julianne Aston, Chief Executive of the charity spoke of their nomination: “We are extremely honoured to have been chosen by Kelly and Monty to become their nominated charity, we really hope that this will highlight the work we do within the UK and we hope to be able to attend some clinics ourselves. As we are one of the smaller equine charities, it is very difficult to get grants or funding but with this form of recognition, it will give our profile such a lift.”
Intelligent Horsemanship has clinics and workshops running throughout the
UK and if you would like further information please contact:
Christmas is a time to be together
Veteran Horse Welfare will again be selling their Christmas Cards on EBAY.
The Pembrokeshire based charity will be selling cards and merchandise to help
fund the rehabilitation centre which is home to over 23 elderly horses in
need of your help and support this winter. Last winter they became a power
seller on EBAY and this year they hope to be able to sell many more items.
Fund raising volunteer Catrin Owens who also runs their charity shop in the
seaside town of Cardigan explains: ‘Although we do sell the bulk of
our cards close to Christmas we also sell Christmas items throughout the summer
too…so there’s no need for anyone to miss out!’
The new design cards have, again, highlighted the needs of the older horse.
If you would like to support the charity’s very important work within
the UK, please do email them at info@veteran-horse-welfare.co.uk
The charity is also able to offer businesses the opportunity of supporting
their work and offer and pre-printed card, please contact head office for
a personal quotation.
Please visit the VHW Site to view our ebay pages click here to view the site>>
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New CD for kids raises funds for veterans.
Veteran Horse Welfare, the charitable arm of the Veteran Horse Society (VHS)
raises much needed funds to care for horses and ponies aged 15 and over at
their rehabilitation centre in Pembrokeshire. These veterans are sometimes
neglected and abused or simply unwanted by their owners. Others are much loved
family members who are brought in when their owners’ circumstances change
and they have nowhere else to turn. Without the work of the Society, most
of these horses would end up with uncertain futures, be destroyed or sadly
end up on the dinner tables of Europe.
Now, author, Linda Goodman has written a children’s story to benefit
the work of the Charity.
“Rusty’s Trust is the
story of a once loved horse whose circumstances change as he gets older. It’s
an adventure that will entertain the whole family. My two veteran horses were
rescued by the VHS and as a writer I felt that this was the best way I could
show my appreciation to these amazing people and help them raise the money
they so desperately need to care for other horses in need. I’m especially
grateful to my publishers, Sue Powell-Reed and Leighton Jones at S&L Productions
Ltd, who gave so much of their time to record and product it.”
The
story is narrated by patron of the charity, Carrie Davis from Chris Moyles
breakfast show on Radio 1.
Carrie said, “I was over the moon when I was asked to do the book –
I think it’s such a great idea and a fantastic heart-warming story that
children and parents will love! Hopefully it will raise lots of money and
awareness for Julianne and the team at the Veteran Horse Society. They work
so hard and it’s always a battle making sure they have enough funds
to look after all the rescues.”
The CD is available at www.audiostoriesforkids.com with proceeds
going directly to benefit the horses and not on administration.
Pembrokeshire based Veteran Horse Society will remain open, but precautions are put in the place for Foot & mouth.
Pembrokeshire based charity Veteran Horse Welfare, will remain open until
further instruction from the Welsh Assembly or DEFRA.
The society was launched in 2001 just before the last outbreak of Foot and
Mouth, and founder Julianne Aston remembers only too well the impact on the
horse world. “It was just devasting for the whole country and so many
people lost so much, I just hope this is an isolated case and that we can
remove all our disinfected areas, fairly soon. Our centre is home to 23 horses
who all rely heavily on donations to pay they never ending feed and bedding
costs. Sadly we had to immediately close our rehoming centre in Surrey.
The society has once again opened a help line for owners of horses that are
worried about the latest out break the line will be open between the hours
of 11-3pm and is open to members and non members of the Society. 01239 881300
New fundraising initiative helps VHS
The Veteran Horse Society has recently opened their own charity shop in Cardigan
to help raise funds to care for the UK’s aging equines.
The shop, which is in 31 William Street, Cardigan, was opened by Julianne
Aston and TV presenter Brychan Jones and started trading on Monday 18th June.
It is open from 10am-4pm from Monday to Saturday.
“We are thrilled with how
well the shop has done since it opened,” enthused Julianne Aston, founder
of the Veteran Horse Society, “people have been so supportive and given
us so much stuff to sell. We aren’t just selling horsey things, we are
selling anything and everything, old and new!”
Every penny that is made from the retail outlet will go towards the care and
welfare of the horses at the charity’s rehabilitation centre in St Dogmaels
near Cardigan.
The Veteran Horse Society care for
a great number of aging equines and offer support to people caring for their
own veteran horses. The charity also funds a number of other projects around
the UK. The shop is currently looking for volunteers.
For more information on the new shop, call 01239 881300 or, better still,
go and visit them at 31 William Street, Cardigan.
Friday 27 April 2007 - Double trouble or twice as nice?
The Veteran Horse Society’s Bill and Ben were officially named as the
oldest living equine identical brothers in March 2007!
The brothers, who used to be residents
in London Zoo’s children’s corner, became part of the Veteran
Horse Society’s family in 2002 after a request from the Zoo to rehome
them. They were rehomed but sadly their carer became ill so they were brought
back to the centre, which is where they are today.
“They are only 24,”
explains Julianne Aston, the founder of the Veteran Horse Society, “and
are literally inseparable from each other and from us!”
The identical brothers are 11.2hh and cremello. “They are huge characters,”
says Julianne, “and love playing with our naughty Shetland Tommy.”
Bill and Ben are available for adoption and any donations are always very
welcome. “As they are both cremello they suffer from sunburn so we’re
always in need of sun cream for them!” Bill and Ben live at the Veteran
Horse Society’s Head Office in Cardigan.
Friday 30th March 2007 was a very sad day for all at Champions Farm, for that was the morning that we had to say goodbye to our dear friend Morgan.
Many of you will remember Morgan as one of the very first horses to arrive
at Champions Farm and what a character he was!
Over the few weeks leading up to this sad day, Morgan had been suffering with
several minor problems which, try as we might, we were unable to get on top
of. We had dearly hoped that the impending arrival of Spring and Summer would
help him to overcome these niggles, but this was not to be the case. Despite
our best efforts, Morgan's body had decided that enough was enough and began
to shut down.
Throughout the Winter, Morgan's legs had been up and down with swelling, despite
regular bandaging and joint supplements added to his phenomenal feed bucket.
He then got an infection in one of his hind legs which just wouldn't clear
up. It baffled everyone - staff and vets alike. Courses of antibiotics, poultices,
various topical treatments didn't help. So then we had scans, an ultra sound
and x-rays but nothing explained what was causing the infection, or why it
just wouldn't clear up.
Morgan's pasterns were beginning
to drop lower and lower by the day with the strain of supporting his swollen
legs. Again, Centre manager Karen did everything in her power to help support
his legs. He had special support bandages with extra padding under the pasterns
specially devised by Karen and the Vets. This helped for a while but poor
Morgan's unbounding love of life was starting to diminish. It was absolutely
heart-braking to see.
The final straw for poor Morgan
was the development of Laminitis, on top of everything else. This meant he
could not walk and the pain of supporting his own weight was too much. Prognosis
was not good and so it was decided by all, with great, great sadness, that
this was his time.
Morgan's memory is still very much
alive at Champions Farm. He made us laugh every day with his antics - his
prancing around the field with the most stunning extended trot (Silly old
fool!), his general love of just 'being', and his utter devotion, first to
Little Sam and then to Hamilton.
Morgan was one in a million, an utter joy to be around, and is so very, very
sorely missed.
Karen Goodliffe
Centre Manager - Champions Farm
1st February 2007 EASTENDERS
CELEBRITY BECOMES PATRON FOR
VETERAN HORSE WELFARE
Veteran Horse Welfare (VHW) now
has one of the top celebrities from the world of Walford as their Patron.
Eastenders star, Pam St. Clement who plays Pat Evans is now in her 21st year
of appearing in the show and has become a household name, and has been in
the lead role on many a gripping episode.
Pam was brought up with working
horses on a hill farm and was a keen rider and shares the charity’s
views on the management of older horses and she took a few minutes from her
very busy filming schedule to speak about her new role, “When a horse
or pony reaches a certain age it doesn’t necessarily mean retirement.
Veteran horses and ponies are very rewarding, and in later years with correct
management there is no reason why they can’t lead happy and active lives.
I really do hope that supporting this very worthwhile charity, I can help
raise the profile and care of veteran horses”
The charity was formed in 2004 by
Julianne Aston, also founder of the Veteran Horse Society in 2001. Commenting
from the VHW rehabilitation center Julianne quoted; “I am absolutely
honoured and overwhelmed that Pam has agreed to become patron, she is a real
genuine horse lover and very committed to our cause. I am sure that her celebrity
status will help raise the awareness and plight of veterans within Europe
and the UK. With millions watching this very popular soap opera, each week,
we hope that the charity will now have much more recognition.
The charity funds private individuals and organisations with older horses and already has donated money to the Veteran Horse Society to assist in the development of the welfare of older horses. For further information on how you too can assist them or for a fund raising pack please call 01239 881300 or email info@veteran-horse-welfare.co.uk