Flicker named Real Horse of the Year
5 June 2002
Flicker, the driving horse who survived a head-on collision with a car is the HHO Real Horse of the Year
Flicker, a palomino 15.1hh part-bred Arab gelding who made a successful return to private driving competitions after suffering horrific injuries in a head-on collision with a car, has been chosen as the HHO Real Horse of the Year 2001.
Flicker is own by Diana, Countess of Lindsay, who won more than £21,000 in compensation in court last week as a result of the accident.
“I am thrilled to bits that Flicker is Horse & Hound Online’s Real Horse of the Year,” said Diana. “He has survived horrific injuries during his life but has always battled through and remained a remarkable person. He deserves it so much.
“He’s an amazing horse. At 23 years old he is still going as strong as ever in harness and under saddle, despite his battle scars. We enjoyed a great season hunting last year – after eight hours at the closing meet he was still full of beans when we headed for home.”
Flicker wins a commemorative plaque, a year’s supple of Blue Chip Feed Balancer, an embroidered rug and a bridle from Olympian. Diana Lindsay will receive clothing from Saddlecraft.
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Barbara Young, Editor of Horse & Hound Online, said: “Our competition to find Britain’s Real Horse of the Year was launched to honour horses which had recovered from trauma or changed their owners’ lives.
“We received many heart-warming stories, but Flicker’s remarkable battle back to health and outstanding bravery made him a worthy winner.”
Highly commended awards were won by Todd, a 16hh dark brown cob, who helped owner Kath Whittall re-build her life after she suffered a brain haemorrhage, and Lucy, a part-bred Lusitano mare who helped Sharon Swain win her battle against depression.
Read about the Real Horse of the Year winners:
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.