Pebbly Pipe Dream, the first working hunter pony to ever win the Dick Saunders supreme ridden pony championship at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS), has died.
The 11-year-old 143cm dun gelding won the WHP title at RIHS in 2010 with his former jockey Abi Boulton, but had since been sold to the Pearce family and had successfully evented to BE100 level with their daughter Chelsea.
Owner Liz Pearce said: “Chippy was the most wonderful all-round pony you could wish for. He had the most kindest temperament and all he wanted to do was please.”
He died on 31 January 2012 following complications associated with treatment for a slight muscle injury in his back.
Liz explained: “To help alleviate the injury he had a routine anti-inflammatory injection, but unfortunately this procedure inadvertently released spores of a clostridium bacterium lying dormant in the muscle. This led to an overwhelming bacterial infection which proved fatal within 24 hours.
“It’s a tragic loss. He will be greatly missed and is totally irreplaceable.”
