Veteran Shetland from Suffolk heads to London’s most prestigious horse show

A 29-year-old Shetland pony from Hinderclay, near Diss, who survived a serious kick to the head, is heading to the capital this month to compete in London’s most prestigious horse show. 

Jet, who has taught more than 11 children to ride over the years, will be the oldest pony contesting the Agria Senior Showing And Dressage League (SSADL) In-Hand championship at the London International Horse Show at ExCel on Saturday (16th December). 

Jet made a brilliant recovery from an accidental kick to the head from another horse which for a time left him partly paralysed, though he still has limited sight in his right eye.

His owner Kathryn Spooner, a chiropractor, is competing the pony she has owned for 25 years, with the help of her daughter Hannah, who learnt to ride on Jet when she was just four-years-old, and is now a vet. 

“Despite his age, Jet has the most amazing movement, he really floats in the trot and I have to run so fast to keep up with him,” says Kathryn. 

Although very tiny — Jet is just 9hh — the biggest challenge has been getting him show-ring ready in the depths of winter since Shetland ponies naturally grow immensely thick winter coats to withstand the wildest weather. “It took me four-and-a-half hours just to clip his body,” says Kathryn. “It’s been an unreal amount of work to get him ready but it’s a really big deal to be going and we’re very excited to have qualified for London. He’s a cracking pony who loves children and it will be a very sad day indeed the day that he leaves us.”

Vicki Wentworth, Chief Executive of Agria UK, adds: “At Agria we have always had a special place in our heart for ponies like Jet, who give so much fun to multiple riders, whether or not they win rosettes – in fact, it’s because of my very own ‘Jet’ equivalent that I still have a horse, whom I adore today.  It is for this reason that we are the only horse insurer to offer full vet fee cover, for life.  We can’t wait to see Kathryn and Jet in the huge international arena at the London International and hope they have an absolutely brilliant and truly memorable day.”

Agria’s Lifetime Equine policy is available to any horse of any age from 30 days. 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

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• In the UK, Agria works with over 40,000 vets, breeders and rehoming organisations,
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