Farewell to celebrity pony Catherston Nutsafe

Catherston Nutsafe, the celebrity pony who received a number of medals and shone throughout disciplines, has died in retirement aged 30.

“Snoopy” was bred in 1995 by Catherston Stud, by Catherston Nightsafe and out of Catherston Dauntless. As a six-year-old, she joined the Baird household in Aberdeen, the place she was produced by Harriet (now Harriet Allen), her sister Tabitha and their mum Catie.

“Within the early days she was fairly sharp, and tried lots of tips! We did lots of Pony Membership, and in 2005 received the Urky Newton bursary for our cross-country spherical on the nationwide championships,” Harriet instructed H&H.

“One other huge spotlight was taking her to Ballindenisk that yr the place we have been second within the British Eventing pony trial.”

Snoopy additionally turned her hooves to exhibiting, successful a working hunter ultimate at Horse of the 12 months Present (HOYS) in 2006, following a spur-of-the-moment choice to enter her in a qualifying class.

“On the final minute we registered Snoopy for a category, and we received it. I didn’t realize it was a qualifier, then my mum instructed me ‘You’ve certified for HOYS!’” mentioned Harriet.

“The plan had been to do a pair extra working hunters earlier than the ultimate however we didn’t get spherical to it as we have been busy with eventing, so we simply went to HOYS – and we received.”

Because it was Harriet’s final yr on ponies, Snoopy went on to the McEwen household and have become a outstanding identify on the horse eventing circuit. She was ridden by Tom in his ultimate yr on ponies, then by his sister Ella, then 14, who loved a lot success in pony trials together with her. Ella and Snoopy received group silver on the 2008 pony Europeans in Avenches, Switzerland, and have been a part of the silver medal-winning group on the 2009 Europeans at Moorsele, Belgium.

In 2010 Snoopy was bought to the Ecroyd household for 13-year-old Sam. The pair clocked up seven wins of their first season and received group gold on the pony Europeans at Bishop Burton. Snoopy then went on to continued success with Chelsea Pearce, and later Molly Faulkner.

“We took a very long time to supply her so she understood every thing, and it was superb to observe her go on with all these riders and do what she did. She was a princess when she arrived with us, and was nonetheless a princess when she left however a bit extra of a hardcore princess!” mentioned Harriet.

“She simply tried her coronary heart out. She had a coronary heart of gold and did every thing for you that she probably may. She cherished her job and as soon as she understood what the query was, that was it.”

Snoopy retired from eventing in 2016 and continued in showjumping with Molly Faulkner, earlier than the late Kenneth Pritchard purchased her for Kathleen Doyle in 2018.

“We did HOYS and Hickstead qualifiers, JC/JA courses, and took her to House Pony reveals. She took me to the highest, she was such an excellent pony,” Kathleen instructed H&H.

“She can be quiet within the warm-up then on the gate ready to enter the ring she’d be bouncing on the spot with pleasure. She simply cherished it, she acted like a six-year-old.”

Snoopy retired sound from competitors in 2020 aged 26, and continued to take pleasure in hacking. She died in her discipline from pure causes on 19 Could aged 30.

“She was my greatest pal and we had a lot enjoyable collectively,” mentioned Kathleen.

“She meant an terrible lot to our household, particularly as a result of Ken handed not lengthy after he purchased her for me, she actually was so particular.”

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H&H senior information author

Since becoming a member of H&H in 2018, Becky has lined a broad vary of equestrian information together with welfare issues, veterinary research, FEI Tribunal hearings and highway security campaigns. She has additionally interviewed high riders together with Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to call only a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, in addition to the Royal Highland and Blair Fort Worldwide Horse Trials nearer to house. She was additionally a key a part of the distant reporting group for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.