‘One in a million’ and incredible till the end: farewell to multi-garlanded champion pony after ‘fabulous’ retirement
A pony who reclaimed his Royal International title after 11 years has died aged 25
A pony who won twice at the Royal International 11 years apart, qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) year after year and was “one in a million” has died aged 25 after a long and happy retirement.
Roseview Limited Edition (Eddie) had to be put down on 20 July, and his owner of 14 years Sarah Chandler was with him until the end.
“It feels like a part of me has gone with him,” Sarah told H&H. “He was that special.”
The Chandlers bought Eddie, a 148cm British riding pony bred by Heather Banbury, initially for Sarah’s son Harry to ride, then Harry’s younger brother George. He had already won the RIHS with Elle Kivlochan, and come second at HOYS with Zoe Cutmore.
“He was so safe, and I’ve always gone for safety with my children so that was very important,” Sarah said.
“He was so easy to do, just lovely, and he was known for being the best moving show pony on the circuit with his flicking toes. Nobody moved like Eddie, and everybody knew that. Harry gelled with him from the word go and Eddie was so good wherever he went, he would always come out and do a perfect show.”
Eddie was always home produced, and all his riders were taught by Lisa Monahan. He won numerous titles and championships and qualified for HOYS eight times and the RIHS 15. His last visit, in 2018, was extra special as he won BSPS Pretty Polly mixed height show pony championships with George, 11 years after he had won the same title with Elle.
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“We always say, the day you qualify for HOYS is the best day, it’s one in a million,” Sarah said. “It’s something so special, and Eddie did that for us.
“To have them home produced is so special, then to win at the Royal International was unbelievable.”
Roseview Limited Edition was retired after that 2018 win, “because he could do no more”, as Sarah said.
“Heather, his breeder, said all along she would have him back if I couldn’t look after him,” she said. “I’ve always been fortunate and had them at home, and I said he would stay with me. He had a fabulous retirement; my farrier said two weeks before he passed ‘You could put a saddle on him and he’d qualify for HOYS’; he still looked incredible.”
Sarah had to make the call in Eddie’s best interests this month.
“It was the kindest thing; I had to do that for Eddie,” she said. “I was there with him to the end. I was devastated but it was the right thing, and he went out still looking as Eddie always did. Looking amazing. He really was just one in a million.”
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Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.