A life-size replica of War Horse Joey made from cake proved an emotional tribute the week before Remembrance Day.
The cake, created by south Wales-based Emma Jayne of Emma Jayne Cake Design in tribute to the animals killed in wars, was exhibited at the Cake International sugarcraft, cake decorating and baking show in Birmingham (3-5 November).
It took two weeks to make from scratch and incorporates 50kg rice crispies, 50kg marshmallow, 70kg modelling paste and 20kg sugar paste.
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“My husband works for the military and he came up with the idea,” Emma told H&H.
“I wanted to create something that had meaning behind it and I’m an animal lover too.
“When I first chose the subject I couldn’t bear to look at the picture, but it was such an important message I had to put across.”
A real model
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Emma’s research involved visiting a friend’s Irish draught Rock.
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“I took measurements to gauge the size as he was very similar to the War Horse [Joey] and he was very well behaved,” she said.
The War Horse cake attracted a great deal of attention at the show.
“A lot of people came to the stand and it really was quite emotional,” said Emma.
“I listened to stories from people whose family had been involved in wars.”
Poppies were sold next to Emma’s stand and members of the public were encouraged to place them in the sandbags next to the cake in tribute to horses involved and lost in conflict.
The icing on the cake
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War Horse writer Michael Morpurgo even shared his support for Emma’s creation.
“Quite extraordinary,” he said. “What an achievement. It is a great sculpture, wonderfully realised. Bravo you!”
Emma also won the cake artist of the year award from Cake Masters Magazine during the show.
“I didn’t think in my wildest dreams I would win,” she said.
Joey, the puppet star of the West End show War Horse, joined the Brooke Aberdeen group's 80th birthday celebrations last
The War Horse cake was safely transported to Emma’s home, but she hopes it can find a new base where it can be enjoyed by the public.
“I’ve been in contact with the production team of War Horse to see if they would be interested in having it in a theatre foyer,” Emma added.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.
