A herd of cobs will be joining the line-up at this year’s Badminton Horse Trials (4-8 May).
The life-like sculptures will be joining competitors at the 2016 event as part of World Horse Welfare’s Invisible Horse Trail.
Miniature fibreglass horses, created by designer and sculptor Judy Boyt, will be painted by well-known artists and personalities, before going on display in an interactive trail for visitors.
Judy created the iconic Badminton Horse Trials silver trophy in 1992 and has undertaken commissions for royal families and collections around the world.
“It is an honour to be asked to sculpt the horse for the Invisible Horse Trail and it is a great opportunity for me to be able to contribute something back to the animal that has featured so much in my life,” said Judy.
World Horse Welfare’s horse, May, (pictured, top) who is kept at the charity’s Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset, was selected as Judy’s inspiration.
Judy created a clay maquette which will be used to create a mould for the individual horses, each standing at 7hh.
“I was delighted to meet the amazing character, May, my hairy, chunky cob-type model and at the same time see first-hand the care and diligent work carried out by all the staff at World Horse Welfare,” she added.
“This experience has opened my eyes to the plight of too many neglected horses and ponies.”
World Horse Welfare is Badminton’s charity of the year.
This year the charity is working to highlight the world’s invisible horses who often suffer in silence.
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“Not only will the Invisible Horse Trail add another element to the already electric Badminton Horse Trials event, but it’s also a unique way to tell the stories of World Horse Welfare horses and ponies through the skills of talented artists and designers,” said World Horse Welfare’s Emma Williams.
“Seeing our adoption horse May immortalised in her stunning clay maquette was a really special moment and we can’t wait to see the trail horses in action once our artists have worked their magic.”
If you are interested in sponsoring a horse on the trail please contact Lucie Stangl at World Horse Welfare: luciestangl@worldhorsewelfare.org
