Cottrell Riverdance has been put down aged 26

Cottrell Riverdance has died aged 26 — Cottrell Riverdance, Owned by Selina Bowles and exhibited by Millie Bowles, champion during Senior Ridden championship during in Royal Windsor Horse Show private grounds of Windsor Castle, in Windsor in the county of Berkshire, UK on 9th May 2018

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Bowles family’s prolific Welsh section B Cottrell Riverdance (Ronnie) has put down aged 26 after a bout of colic.

Cottrell Riverdance, who was known as Ronnie at home, was best known for his results as a veteran contender achieved with his rider and handler, Millie Bowles.

“Ronnie was the ultimate showman,” she said. “He was a joy to watch and his partnership with Millie was something else. You couldn’t help but smile when you watched him at a show, and I think that’s what made him do so well; the joy just shone out of him. Many people have commented over the years at what a pleasure he was to watch and that’s what showing is about. Sometimes he could be over-excited but he’d make you smile and laugh, even when he was a terror.

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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.

‘He touched so many people’: farewell to former games pony turned showing star

Ronnie was home-produced for the duration of his career by Millie and her mother, Selina Bowles.

“We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from the showing community,” said Selina. “It’s been so comforting and it’s lovely to know that he touched so many people.”

Ronnie was a member of the Bowles family for nine years. Prior to his showing career, Ronnie was a successful mounted games pony, but he also evented and competed in British Dressage.

“We got him when he was 18 from a close family friend,” said Selina. “He came to us for a quieter life, but he ended up starting a career in the show ring and doing more than he’d ever done in his life.”

Millie, who was 11 when she first sat on Ronnie, had never shown at affiliated level before she met the characterful grey gelding.

“We took Ronnie to a showing clinic with Sarah Chapman who suggested that we try him in some veteran classes as she thought he could be exceptional,” said Selina. “We thought she was maybe just being kind, but he ended up qualifying for the veteran finals at Olympia on his first attempt.”

“He was the first pony to win the VHS supreme twice,” said Selina, adding that Ronnie also won at Royal Windsor three times on the trot, and won the SEIB veterans’ supreme final twice in a row.

“Everyone who met Ronnie loved him and he has brought so many friends into our lives.”

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