Now he’s riding high! Foal saved from a life of squalor is transformed into showjumping star
- Jones the foal was seized from a site in West Yorkshire after pictures surfaced
- Along with two other horses, Jones was nursed back to health by the RSPCA
- He is now one of ten horses enjoying life in the care of the Atherton family
- Jones has since enjoyed success with his owners’ daughter Pippa Atherton, 15
- Henry Brewer was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to three horses
He cut a pitiful figure, in his bedraggled state and makeshift harness.
But six years on – and thanks to the RSPCA and a horse-loving family – Jones the foal has been transformed into a showjumping star.
Photographs of the colt circulated online and prompted the animal charity to investigate in 2016.
Inspectors seized Jones from a site in Esholt, West Yorkshire, along with two other horses and he was gradually nursed back to health.
He is now one of ten horses enjoying life in the care of the Atherton family near Waskerley, County Durham.
Rescue horse Jones has been transformed into a showjumping star thanks to the RSPCA and the horse-loving Atherton family – Jill, Jason and their daughter Pippa (pictured with Jones)
After photographs of the colt circulated online, inspectors seized Jones from a site in Esholt, West Yorkshire, along with two other horses and he was gradually nursed back to health
Jones was in good shape when mother of five Jill Atherton, 49, and her vet husband Jason, 47, took him in three years ago.
He has since flourished and their daughter Pippa, 15, has enjoyed success with her favourite rescue horse.
Four months after he arrived on their farm, Pippa made her showjumping debut with Jones for the county team and he achieved two clear rounds.
‘It was like a miracle – one of those great moments,’ said Mrs Atherton.
‘Considering his start in life he’s done incredibly well. He’s an absolute natural showjumper.’
Four months after he arrived on their farm, Pippa made her showjumping debut with Jones for the county team and he achieved two clear rounds
The family hope he will compete with Pippa in the national junior championships later this year.
The RSPCA said: ‘Jones shows that rescued animals should not be written off. It can feel even more rewarding when they thrive.’
Henry Brewer, 48, was sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid work and costs of £1,500 after being convicted in 2017 of causing unnecessary suffering to three horses.
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