Tributes have been paid to a popular Riding for the Disabled (RDA) pony who gave 27 years of service doing what he loved.
Willie, of the Gordon RDA group in Aberdeenshire, died on 2 October from colic aged 32.
Volunteer groom Susan Gordon told H&H part-bred Highland Willie joined the charity as a five-year-old in 1992, so was the centre’s longest-serving resident.
“He was bought from the market when he was four and joined RDA the following year,” she said.
“He was everyone’s favourite and a real character. He would bang his stable door for attention, he wanted to be the most important person on the yard – and he was.”
Susan said Willie loved his work with children.
“He was totally trustworthy with any child big or small – they could go off the lead-rein and you would have no worries with Willie. The one thing he didn’t like to do was standing in line and he would push the helpers and walk round in circles but once the kids were on him he was absolutely perfect. ”
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Susan said Willie’s workload had been reduced over the past five years but he was always fit and sound.
“He took part at the RDA Grampian and Highland regional qualifiers in 2017 and won both his dressage classes. He loved an audience and applause.” she said.
“He loved what he did and was always enthusiastic, even after summer holidays when some of the others would take a while to get going again.”
Susan said Willie, who was awarded an RDA long service award in 2017, will be “very hard” to replace.
“He was such a popular person, and he knew it. He was a very special boy. We’ve had so much support from people who have been posting their memories about him online which has been lovely,” she said.
“He was one in a million and the place won’t be the same without him.”
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
