At their first visit to a horse show since being saved, 12 ponies rescued by the RSPCA were adopted by visitors at Equifest earlier this month.

Visitors and competitors at the famous Peterborough horse event flocked to the RSPCA’s stand to learn about the charity’s work and meet the rescue horses, with some people being so taken with the ponies, they reserved them on the spot!

Six year-old Amelia James fell in love with rescue pony Billy (pictured left with RSPCA inspector Christine McNeil) after visiting the show with her parents, Paul and Lesley, who had come to compete their own horse. The family adopted Billy, taking him home to Ayrshire with them after the show.

The RSPCA team met thousands of visitors and competitors during the four-day event held at the East of England showground, talking about their on-going work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming some of the country’s most neglected and suffering ponies.

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde, who heads up the RSPCA’s equine team said: “Stabled at the event were 16 of those ponies who have blossomed in our care, and were ready to find their new homes – so we are delighted that twelve were reserved. Some, like Billy, even went home with their new owners on the last day of the show as we were able to have home checks carried out swiftly by regional volunteers.”