I love my pony.
He even walks a nice straight line at the Show.
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Original Upload: Copyright photo, posted with permission
Photographer: Frances Taylor
Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Shetland Pony Retires As A Military Mascot
The 23 year old Shetland pony, Cruachan III, has officially retired as mascot for the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
For nineteen years he has taken part in Highland games, fairs, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and numerous Military Parades.
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders have had a regimental mascot since 1929, always a Shetland pony called Cruachan.
So far there have been three ponies called Cruachan. In 2006, the Highlanders were formed into the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
The tradition of a Royal Shetland pony as mascot named Cruachan continued.
Regimental mascots not only take part in parades and ceremonial occasions, but often live in suitable accommodation in the barracks with the regiment.
This photo shows Cruachan III and Pony Major Paddy Payne leading the Coming Home Parade of The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, after their tour in Afghanistan.
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Cruachan III stands barely 3 feet tall and has an unusually calm temperament. He is a personal favorite of the Queen. She has always requested that he be present at any parades when she is at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.
It was at this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, celebrating the 60 years of the Queen’s reign, that Cruachan III was, again, a star performer.
There were more than 1,000 pipers, drummers and other musicians performing on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Military bands from countries around the world including Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada and the US performed during the three-week run.
Cruachan III at front and center
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According to Cpl William Perrie, who looks after Cruachan III while on duty, it was the pony who stole the show at the Tattoo for 25 nights in a row.
He added: “Everyone just loves him. Basically he was the center of attention every night.”
This year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo marked the last performance of Cruachan III.
It was now time for his much deserved retirement.
Captain Dougie McDougall is happy to see the 23-year-old Shetland Pony retire from service.
All those at the Redford Barracks at Edinburgh who have cared for the Royal favorite Shetland pony believe that Cruachan III deserves his retirement after nearly two decades of military duty.
Cruachan III will now be relaxing in his own field with long-term companion Islay, also a Shetland pony.
As for the Royal Regiment of Scotland, they are preparing for the arrival of Cruachan IV to begin his career as their next Royal Mascot.
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Link: Royal Regimental Mascots
Link: Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2012
Link: Reford Barracks, Scotland
Link: Balmoral Castle
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Re-written from Story Sources:
Edinburgh Local News
BBC News
Daily Mail
UK Government on Line
Photos:
UK Ministry of Defence
Katielee Arrowsmith
Two Year Old Saddles Up Miniature Pony ‘Maybelline’ To Compete in Rodeo
This ‘little big-man’ rodeo rider has caused a big stir in the gritty world of barrel racing.
The two 1/2 year old, Royce Gill, from Upper Horton in western New South Wales, Australia should be kicking up tantrums, but instead he is kicking up the dust on his six-year-old pony, Maybelline.
Even though Royce is still wearing diapers, it is no surprise that this young cowboy has taken to the sport of racing barrels at high-speeds. He is the seventh-generation rodeo rider in his family.
Royce entered his first competition at the Beaudesert Rodeo in the ‘18 year and under’ classification. Even though he did not win any ribbons in his first try, he has plenty of time to catch up with the much older competition.
His father, Ryan Gill, says his son was born with the passion, ‘I just sit him on and he wants to stay there.’
Mr. Gill, who lives in the country on a 3000-acre property, states that he will help his son move on to bigger calves and ponies as he grows up.
In the meantime, the pint-sized rodeo rider has a busy schedule. Royce will continue to compete in barrel racing against riders more than seven times his age.
Like father, like son, Royce Gill is sure to follow in the footsteps of his father Ryan who is a champion rodeo rider
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Re-written from News Sources
Photo Credit: Jamie Hanson Newspix
The “999” Pony
“Mayflower”
In Southampton, England there is a pony that is creating a rush of emergency calls from caring people that are driving by her pasture.
The message to the fire brigade is always the same: Come quickly, a poor little pony is stuck in the mud.
The reason for the emergency calls is not that the pony is sunk in the mire, but that she simply has very short legs.
Her owner is considering putting up a sign outside the field to advise motorists that “Mayflower” is a stocky pony, not a stuck pony.
The problem with putting up a sign is that one day she might actually get stuck and then the fire brigade won’t turn up, says the owner.
“Mayflower” is a cross between a Shetland pony and a New Forest pony. She inherited the Shetland’s short legs and the New Forest pony’s long body.
Her unusually short legs compared to the other ponies in the pasture that surround her cause Mayflower to stand out, or rather semi-disappear. Thus the cause for all the excitement.
Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service’s animal rescue team have been called out numerous times to rescue the animal since it started grazing on the salt marshes at Redbridge, Southampton.
This has included a specialist lifting vehicle, 12 fire fighters, two to three fire trucks plus an animal rescue expert.
Every time the highly trained firefighters rush to the scene they find the same horse … “Mayflower”.
So, what does Mayflower think of all this?
She simply trots her little self off to prove that she’s not stuck at all, but quite simply minding her own business doing what ponies do … grazing.
Farewell Teddy …
Teddy
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Rest In Peace
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Sadly, Teddy, the little horse with the big heart that inspired and amazed us all was euthanized as a result of an injury in an accident at Karen and David O’Connor’s barn at The Plains, Virginia.
The O’Connors, in a brief statement, said: “Teddy got frightened and bolted. He slipped running back to the barn and suffered a severe laceration to his hind leg, severing the tendons and ligaments.
“Doctor A Kent Allen was on the scene immediately and it was determined after examination that the injuries were catastrophic.
“Everyone who knew Teddy is devastated.”
Teddy was a hot propect to attend the Olympics. The 13-year-old eventing super pony had defied the odds and gravity throughout his career.
Standing at just 14.1 hands, the Shetland/ Arabian/ Thoroughbred-cross gelding was the reigning Team and Individual Gold Medalist from the 2007 Pan American Games and had top-six finishes at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2007 and 2008.
He was the 2007 USEF Horse of the Year and had recently been named to the USEF Short List for Eventing for the 2008 Olympic Games.
Ridden by three-times Olympic veteran Karen O’Connor, Teddy developed a huge fan base.
“Seeing was believing with Teddy as it seemed impossible to imagine that a pony of his size could do his job with such tremendous ease,” the USEF said.
He will be greatly missed by all of his many admirers.
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Earlier Post: Super Pony With The Heart Of A Winner
Ponies Thunder Through Farm Show Carriage Races
Dana Bright (left) and Ann Gardner ride in the
Pennsylvania carriage racing competition.
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Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
January, 2008
Like a modern-day Ben Hur, Miranda Cadwell drew herself erect in her chariot-like carriage and urged her ponies to speed around obstacles.
Rambo and Toby, a pair of Welsh ponies, raced around the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Large Arena this past January.
They sped around eight barrels, being careful not to knock off the rubber ducks on top, and around eight raised wooden structures at the other end of the arena, leaving the ducks standing.
Then they galloped down the home stretch into first place and into the hearts of 6,000 wildly cheering fans at this unique equestrian event at the 92nd Pennsylvania State Farm Show.
“This was great,” said Cadwell of Southern Pines, N.C. “It’s a real adrenaline rush.”
The Farm Show offers the nation’s only indoor Arena Carriage Racing, said Paul Martin, event organizer and announcer. He said that its usually done outside.
These Dutch Gelderlanders, “Mickie and Janet”, driven by Ronda Palmer and navigated by Roy Munt, placed second in the Pair Horses division. The husband and wife pair has been involved in numerous competitions all over the world.
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Drivers sit in the front and control the reins to guide the horses. Navigators ride the back, throwing their weight from side to side to counterbalance the turns.
Bruce Rappoport, another event organizer, said carriage racing involves one or two horses or ponies racing against the clock.
Sarah Schmitt and Glenn Haskell achieved the second best time to win the Reserve Grand Championship.
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Participants in steel marathon carriages use special harnesses to guide the horses through the tight turns needed to navigate the obstacles and hazards in the fastest time.
Seven teams participated in the two day event.
Driver Dana Bright and navigator Melinda Russell
blur through the starting line.
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“We love this,” said Dana Bright of Felton, nodding at her navigator, Ann Gardner and her Welsh ponies.
People laughed when they saw Ben and Jerry, a pair of bright pink stuffed toy pigs, on the back of their carriage. People howled when Jerry tumbled off during the race.
The crowd clearly loved Miranda Cadwell and her younger sister, Keady.
Miranda Cadwell last summer became the world leader in the sport, earning the gold medal at the World Pony Driving Championship in Denmark.
On Tuesday, she drove her team as if her life depended on it, leaving rushing air and flying dirt in their wake.
When the race ended, Miranda Cadwell won first place in the pair of ponies division, Keady Cadwell won first place in pair of horses.
“We push each other to do better,” Keady Cadwell said.
A must-see is the video listed below.
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Race Video:
Carriage Races, Pennsylvania Farm Show
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News Link: Pennsylvania State Agriculture Site
News Link: The Patriot News
Simply Marvelous Horse World 