‘The most important legend of all time’: farewell to pony who went to the highest

The homeowners of a Connemara who loved good fortune in top-level operating hunter categories have paid tribute to “the most important legend of all time”, after her demise on the age of 23.

Golden Island Megastar had retired from the display ring however was once nonetheless in energetic semi-retirement till she succumbed to a bout of colic.

Claire Somerset, who rode “Fiona” at occasions together with Horse of the 12 months Display (HOYS) and the Royal World Horse Display (RIHS), informed H&H her circle of relatives purchased the mare 15 years in the past, and she or he was once first competed by way of Claire’s sister Alice.

In combination, Claire and Fiona competed in mountain and moorland and plaited operating hunter categories, extra lately turning their consideration to British Showjumping.

“She was once the most important legend of all time; everybody beloved her,” Claire mentioned.

Claire and Fiona had been additionally at the British workforce that competed on the Royal Dublin Display in 2015, in a contest run by way of the British Connemara Pony Society.

“Leaping transparent within the 15hh staff at HOYS in 2015 was once most definitely my spotlight,” Claire mentioned. “It was once a large path; I used to be terrified, and she or he simply took me spherical. It was once so particular to be there, then to leap transparent felt extremely particular.

“Then she got here 2d there within the M&M staff so we went into the championship in the principle ring. It was once a perfect day.

“She was once so sort and delicate at the floor – she was once amazingly candy, taking into account she was once any such festival horse; she was once the one one my dad may herald – then once you were given on, she was once able to compete and able to leap.”

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H&H information editor

Eleanor is an skilled journalist who spent over 8 years operating for native and nationwide newspapers earlier than becoming a member of H&H as information editor in March 2016. Captivated with equine welfare and exposing the reality, Eleanor has reported on all facets of the business, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage regulations to mules. Her game of selection is showjumping, through which she competes her personal horses, and she or he additionally enjoys reporting at native leaping displays via to global championships.