SAYING GOODBYE TO GRENADIER AND IZZY

We‘ve had a sad time here at the Unicorn Centre when we lost two of our beloved horses, Izzy and Grenadier last month. 

Some of you may remember Grenadier, who retired from the Centre at the age of 26 to live with a former member of staff.  ‘Gren’ had four fantastic years where he got to play out in the field with new (and old) friends.  He went on lots of lovely hacks and paddled at the seaside and was pampered and groomed by children regularly. Unfortunately he became poorly due to old age – at almost 30 years!... And sadly we had to say goodbye. Gren, who’s full name was Maidendale Grenadier was bred and trained by our former Chair of Trustees Maggie Tansley and her family. Gren was a much loved fantastic all-rounder here at the Centre since the early years.  He worked in all lessons from lead-rein beginners to our Dressage Clinic participants and Level 2 Diploma students and taught many people how to ride.  Gren was also a dressage superstar during his time at the Centre and not only regularly competed in this discipline, he went to the RDA National Championships at Hartpury College almost every year, taking many of our RDA Participants to success. He loved this part of his job so much that he was known for being a little excitable and cheeky in the competition arena! 

We also lost lovely Izzy very suddenly to colic in December. A sweet gentle mare who could also be rather cheeky, Fizzy Izzy, on loan to the Centre, had previously served at the Centre during 2015/16 and instantly took to the job again like she had been here for years. Izzy returned home soon after her second RDA National Championships, where she had given a number of our RDA Participants a taste of competition success. Izzy sustained an injury to her knee when she returned home after her loan and it was thought she may be unable to be ridden again. Well, Izzy didn’t like that idea very much so with veterinary agreement Izzy was ridden again and returned to us at the Centre in September 2018 for a short time. She became a firm favourite very quickly again with our RDA competition clinic participants and competed regularly in our RDA and British Dressage and Para competitions. Izzy was loved by all at the Centre and is missed every day.