‘As good as gold’
HOW many millions of people will have had their very first experience with horses coming from a pony at their local riding stables? It’s like trying to count the stars in the sky. Those Saturday mornings and soft noses have ignited a love of horses in so many.
“We have seen so many people who had their first ride on Goldilocks all those years ago now bringing their own children to ride her,” says Teresa Squire, yard manager at Woolacombe Riding Stables in North Devon.
The 11.2hh, part-bred “cheeky” Shetland has spent 25 years giving children their very first taste of horses at the seaside riding stables since arriving from Exeter Horse Sales as a three-year-old.
“The amount of families who come back year after year and ask, ‘Do you still have Goldie here?’ is amazing,” says Teresa, adding that Goldie has “done it all”, from lessons and shows to hunting.
“She’s lovely with the children, but wouldn’t let anyone walk all over her – she definitely tells the other ponies, a typical
