10 Fascinating Facts About Billy Twomey
Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 by Heather Dodd
1, Billy has been crowned the Liverpool International Grand Prix Champion for two year’s running and is always a busy competitor across the International CSI 4* Show jumping
2, Says Billy: “The show is just magic, well organised, has great prize money and an electric atmosphere. It is also great to compete in England as my wife and children always get to come along as well so we can spend time together. The crowd really get behind you and Grand Prix night which this year is New Year’s Eve is always very special and exciting.”
3, Well known for being based with the legendary Michael Whitaker in his early days he still describes those years as a ‘dream’ job at the time when riding as a stable jockey for the British hero.
4, Billy was immersed in horses from a young age as his mother and aunt ran a riding school near Cork.
5, Billy married his long term partner Joanne in 2007, and later that year Lily, their first child was born, later joined by Evie, George and Alice.
6, In 2008 Billy and his wife Joanne set up their own base near Nottingham and they are rightly proud of the fantastic facilities.
7, Billy is a former winner of the 128cm Championship at Royal Dublin Horse Show on a pony that had previously given him a scare when bolting with him at their first show.
8, For a time Billy considered a career as a jockey when he took to riding work on the beach for his uncle. But after a taste of show jumping success he says there was no turning back.
9, Billy’s winning ride in the Grand Prix at Liverpool International Horse Show in both 2015 and 2016 was Diaghilev – well known for his turn of foot and speed in jump-offs. Says Billy: “None of the classes are a giveaway at the show and I think it really helps that the audience is so knowledgeable and understand the sport. No doubt this year’s Hope Valley Saddlery Grand Prix will be as exciting as ever.”
10, On the first day of the 2016 show, Billy was also in the winner’s enclosure with the grey, Ardcolum Duke. Said Billy at the time: “It was nice to get off to a winning start. He is an amazing horse, very consistent wherever he competes. I really chanced it at the last fence, and he jumped it well.”
Adds Billy: “I have had a really good year with some top results and Liverpool International will be a brilliant way to round off 2017. New Year’s Eve really is going to be spectacular.”
This year’s Liverpool International Horse Show will see a host of leading names in action from December 29 to 31, at The Echo Arena on Liverpool’s iconic waterfront.
For further information visit www.liverpoolhorseshow.com
Tarzan Learns New Boundaries
Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 by Heather Dodd
Since we last caught up with Tarzan and his World Horse Welfare groom Katie Grimshaw, his education has continued and the summer grazing has helped him to flourish.
The relaxed horse that enjoys spending time in the field with his friends is a far cry from the sorry state Tarzan was in when he was found abandoned and severely underweight.
As he is starting to mature the amazing care he has received at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre can be seen in his glossy coat.
Tarzan has been making progress with his in-hand work, with Katie focusing on teaching him to respect the space between himself and his handler. Being a young horse he can sometimes be slightly boisterous so spatial awareness is essential for his future development into a well-mannered horse, which will help him to secure a forever home in the future.
When teaching Tarzan boundaries the emphasis is always to try and make the session’s fun and interesting to maintain his concentration. He has been introduced to pole work in the indoor school which has increased his confidence when working with a handler from the ground. As Tarzan is still only two-years-old this type of work is kept to a minimum to limit the pressure on him while he is still growing.
During the summer Tarzan has enjoyed spending time in the field forming an adorable friendship with fellow Penny Farm rescue horse, Percy.
The Benefits of Rehoming
Once rehabilitation is complete, horses go onto the World Horse Welfarere-homing scheme and are matched with a suitable new home whilst remaining under the ownership of the charity which protects their welfare for life.
Although World Horse Welfare continues to face desperate cases of suffering every day, they are heartened by the number horses that go on to find happy and secure homes, with over 300 being found loving new homes each year.
World Horse Welfare rehomes more horses than any other equine charity in the UK and rehoming offers many advantages over buying. Here we offer a few reasons why you should consider rehoming a horse.
You know exactly what you are getting – all World Horse Welfare horses come with health records, microchip and passport. You also get a frank and fair assessment of the ability and temperament of the horse, including any quirks it may have. The value of this honest appraisal and the resulting peace of mind will not be lost on anyone who has bought a horse from a disreputable market or dealer.
A safety net in uncertain times– World Horse Welfare rehome a horse for life, and want the horse to stay in its new home for as long as it lives. In these uncertain times, it is very reassuring to know that you can return the horse to us if your circumstances change, or ifthe horse is not suitable. No one knows what is around the corner, so it can save you a great deal of heartache if you’ve got a safety net in place.
The feel-good factor of transforming the life of a horse-rehoming a horse is an immensely rewarding experience. Owners often develop a strong bond with their rescue horse because they have been able to show them how to trust again.
Rehoming one horse helps another horse– every horse that is rehomed creates space to allow World Horse Welfare to help another horse in need.
A lifetime of advice and support– when you rehome a World Horse Welfare horse or pony, you can keep in touch with any queries and twice a year your local World Horse Welfare Officer will visit you and your horse to offer advice and support.
The Lifeforce Range of all-natural, daily digestive aid supplements from Alltech is designed to benefit horses of every stage of life, from breeding stock to pleasure and performance animals.
For further information visit www.lifeforcehorse.co.uk or telephone 01780 764512.
