Equestrian charity HorseWorld will be celebrating its 60th anniversary next month by laying a trail of 60 hand painted ponies around Bristol.
The “Trail of Painted Ponies” project will be launched on 21 July and will run for seven weeks.
“We wanted to create a landmark event that would mark the Diamond Jubilee anniversary of HorseWorld in a way that would get members of the public directly involved,” HorseWorld’s Richard Wyatt told H&H.
“Our home city Bristol is increasingly recognised for its creative flair and bringing horses together with art seemed like a terrific idea.”
The ponies have been designed by TV personalities including Deborah Meaden of BBC1’s Dragons’ Den, Carol Vorderman and Martin Clunes, as well as members of the public and animal welfare organisations.
And a pony painted by HorseWorld donkey Patty – using a paintbrush in her mouth – will even be on display.
“We were really impressed by the quality of entries and pleased that people of all ages took park,” Mr Wyatt added.
The ponies – that measure up to 60cm high – will be located in Bristol’s shopping destination, Cabot Circus.
People will be encouraged to take part in six different horse trails by visiting the charity’s pop-up shop to collect a trail map.
HorseWorld was set up in 1952 as “The Friends of Bristol Horses Society“, in a campaign to save the lives of working horses who were being replaced by motorised vehicles.
The charity is now responsible for over 140 horses, ponies and donkeys at its Bristol site and over 300 who have been re-homed throughout the South West.
In November HorseWorld will be hosting an anniversary gala dinner at the Grand Hotel, Bristol where the charity held its inauguaral meeting 60 years ago.
