"This is my 42" Shetland mare, Blendworth Mary Rose (named by breeder as she was born the year they raised the Mary Rose from the Solent), affectionately known as "Cheeky". When I bought her, she was registered as a chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, star and a snip. She changed colour so often when she was young, you literally could have sold her several times a year to the same person! I broke Cheeky in myself, at the time I was working at a stud which kept hunt horses, and I would occasionally ride Cheeky while leading one of the big hunters if they were doing light exercise around the village! In her 30 years, my beloved Cheeky has taught numerous children the art of 'stickability', has been shown in-hand and under saddle, attended Pony Club with my girls and worked for a living for a time at a Riding Therapy Centre. She is now enjoying the quiet life in a lovely home for her retirement — she is a very special pony indeed. She is pictured as a weanling and with one of my girls" —Jo Restarick

“This is my 42” Shetland mare, Blendworth Mary Rose (named by breeder as she was born the year they raised the Mary Rose from the Solent), affectionately known as “Cheeky”. When I bought her, she was registered as a chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, star and a snip. She changed colour so often when she was young, you literally could have sold her several times a year to the same person! I broke Cheeky in myself, at the time I was working at a stud which kept hunt horses, and I would occasionally ride Cheeky while leading one of the big hunters if they were doing light exercise around the village! In her 30 years, my beloved Cheeky has taught numerous children the art of ‘stickability’, has been shown in-hand and under saddle, attended Pony Club with my girls and worked for a living for a time at a Riding Therapy Centre. She is now enjoying the quiet life in a lovely home for her retirement — she is a very special pony indeed. She is pictured as a weanling and with one of my girls” —Jo Restarick

Gemma Redrup 9 December, 2016 14:04

Gemma Redrup

H&H features, racing and point-to-point editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, having been part of the H&H team since 2014, who is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at in August 2018. Gemma’s reporting talents have taken her to numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.