LINCOLNSHIRE COUPLE WAIT TO LEARN IF THEIR SHIRE HORSE, BOMBER, WILL SUCCEED QUEEN’S PONY AS AGRIA HORSE OF A LIFETIME

A Lincolnshire couple with an enthusiasm for historical events and heavy horses will
discover this month if their gentle, giant Shire will win this year’s Agria Horse of a Lifetime award. The award celebrates the thousands of horses and ponies in Britain who may not be regular rosette winners but which enormously enrich the lives of their owners, riders or communities. Last year it was won by Emma, the late Queen Elizabeth’s final riding pony.

The award winner is ultimately chosen by readers of Horse & Hound, who vote for their
favourite horse or pony from a shortlist.

History buffs Eve Millar and Jon Davison, from Horncastle in Lincolnshire, bought their Shire horse Bomber as a foal. He now stands at a hefty 18.1hh and joins the couple at 1940s and World War II commemorative events around the country, taking part in ploughing and logging displays to demonstrate some of the work Shires were used for, and highlighting their “at risk” status on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s watchlist.

“I don’t know any other horse that would stand next to a tank being fired off – he takes it all in his stride,” said Eve. “He’s so placid and really knows his job at these events. If a child comes over, he’ll put his head down and let them stroke him. He really makes an impact on the people he meets.”

Eve, a hair stylist, and Jon, an aircraft engineer, began attending World War Two events in 2015, attending eight or nine each year with Bomber often in attendance helping to demonstrate the work of the Land Girls through the war.

“Every farm had heavy horses because machine parts and fuel were in such short supply,” says Eve. “We like to be as educational as we can, promoting the shire horse in the process.”

Bomber — aptly named before the couple bought him — is an easy going and sweet-natured horse who is great friends with a Shetland pony at home, “but it does cost an arm and a leg to feed him,” confesses Eve.

The couple will attend the Horse & Hound Awards on 22nd November to learn if Bomber will be Agria Horse of a Lifetime. “We’d be over the moon to win but even to be shortlisted is an achievement,” says Eve.

Horse and pet insurer Agria’s CEO Vicki Wentworth added: “We know better than anyone how special non-competitive horses and ponies can be in the lives of their owners and riders, which is why we offer lifelong insurance cover. Bomber has really caught our attention with his character and work and we wish him the best of luck on awards night!”

Agria’s Lifetime Equine policy is available to any horse of any age. To find out more, please visit our website www.agriapet.co.uk/equinelife

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Notes to Editors:

Agria Equine Lifetime offers a range of flexible options to meet the different needs of all horse owners:

Agria Equine Lifetime Lite – vet fees cover up to £3,000

Agria Equine Lifetime – vet fees cover up to £6,500

Agria Equine Lifetime Plus – vet fees cover up to £10,000

• Agria is one of the world’s leading animal insurers, specialising in small animal, equine, and agricultural insurance. Founded in Sweden over 130 years ago, Agria started
  underwriting policies in the UK in 2009 and is now a prominent part of the UK pet
  insurance sector. 
• In the UK, Agria works with over 40,000 vets, breeders and rehoming organisations,
  providing insurance for horses, cats, dogs, and rabbits. Agria also administers pet
  insurance schemes for the leading small animal registration bodies, The Kennel Club, and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
• Lifetime Dog and Cat policies from Agria Pet Insurance are rated 5 star by Defaqto, have been named as Which? Best Buys and are rated Excellent on Trustpilot. Agria Pet
  Insurance is one of the UK’s Best Workplaces™ 2020, ranked by Great Places to Work®
• For more information see www.agriapet.co.uk /