From when Rupert turned up at the yard I was working at to be sold conveniently just before my 18th birthday I knew I wanted him.
He was nothing like what I planned to buy, as we paid his owner she told us she was terrified of him, he threw me off most weeks, was the cause of much amusement to anyone who watched us, and anxiety for my mum. He was so naughty even Monty Roberts himself chose not to use him in his demo.
Outings usually involved being lead to the start box on a lunge and causing havoc in the lorry park. He really taught me to ride. Luckily I'm as stubborn as he was.
But that aside he has been such a loving pony. He's always been so good with the kids, and gave my youngest his first ever sit on a pony which then got him into riding, and even contained himself enough for my eldest to have the odd hack out back in the day.
He lived his best life with his ginger pal retired out to grass for the last 8 1/2 years
Holidays and work trips aside I've barely gone a day without seeing him in almost 24 years. Childbirth, surgery and broken bones didn't keep me away.
He's been my constant through the challenges of youth and adulthood. I genuinely thought he would see 40 but it wasn't to be.
I don't think anyone who's met Rupert will forget him.
