Learn about the amazing world of rescue horses at Equifest

The RSPCA is inviting horse lovers to get involved with all things rescue next month when a team from the charity will once again be at Equifest horse show on 9th - 13th August.

From meeting real-life rescue horses and ponies looking for homes to learning all about the equine work of the RSPCA, visitors to Equifest horse show at the East of England Showground will also see the country’s best rescue horses compete in a specialist showing class.

A team of equine inspectors, equine rehoming officers and grooms from three of the RSPCA’s specialist equine centres will offer visitors an exclusive opportunity to find out about the charity’s work with horses in need and a chance to get up close with gorgeous rescue horses and ponies looking for their new homes.

This is the sixth year the RSPCA and PRP Rescue Services Rescue Horse/Pony of the Year competition will take place at Equifest. All the competitors are invited to parade in the Evening Performance, and the top twelve come forward for final judging for Champion and Reserve Rescue Horse / Pony title. There overall Best Conditioned Rescue horse or pony will be presented with a special award.

The competition is always packed with entries of transformational stories every year, and the classes, held on Saturday 12 August, are open to rescue horses from all charities and equine rescue organisations, and those who have rescued a horse or pony themselves. There will be six in-hand and ridden classes for rescue horses and ponies, and those placed in the top spots will secure a place in the championship held later in the evening - where one lucky horse or pony will be crowned Rescue Horse or Pony of the Year.

The five-day Equifest event will also see the return of the ‘display ring,’ which features demos and parades throughout the day including a special show highlighting the ‘before and after’ lives of RSPCA rescue horses and ponies.

Chief inspector Cathy Hyde, who heads the RSPCA’s specialist equine team, said: “Once again we are really looking forward to being a part of Equifest. We really hope visitors and competitors will come along and meet some of our horses at the event who are looking for homes. In past years we’ve matched up lots of adopters with their perfect ponies and we are always overwhelmed by the support and interest we receive from people at the event.

“The whole event is a celebration of rescue horses and ponies across the country who have been through incredibly tough times but survived and flourished thanks to the brilliant work of equine charities and sanctuaries, and their new adopters.

“The classes couldn’t go ahead without the support of PRP Horsebox Rescue, our main class sponsor, and Classic Collection Jewelry and Natural Horse Oils who have generously provided us with some wonderful prizes for the winners. All our 16 rescue ponies looking for homes at the show will be settling down for the week on comfy beds kindly donated by Nedz Beds, which is fantastic and as a charity, we are so grateful for their generosity.

“The horses and ponies we are taking along who are looking to find their new adopters will be looking very smart in their stables thanks to Cambridge Mid East Branch who have very kindly kitted them out with beautiful RSPCA blue head collars and day rugs, and we are extremely grateful for their kind donation.

CI Hyde added: “Previous winners of the rescue horse competition have wowed both the judges and the audience, with stories have shown amazing transformations, such as last year’s winner Elsa whose story of her recovery from horrific burns on her legs had the audience and judges in tears.”

To find out more visit www.rspca.org.uk/homesforhorses or to support the RSPCA’s equine rescue and rehabilitation work text LOVE to 87023 to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).

Read more details about the competition at http://www.equifest.org.uk