The Blue Cross Rolleston: one year on

02/10/2007

This weekend, The Blue Cross equine welfare centre in Rolleston-on-Dove will celebrate twelve months of caring for the region's horses as it reaches its first anniversary.

The centre was officially opened on 29 September 2006 at a grand opening ceremony attended by staff and visitors from the local community.  The centre was declared open by Mrs Brenda Luke and Mrs Susan Brown, great nieces of Robert Archer who bequeathed the site to The Blue Cross in memory of his late wife Hilda.

One year on, the charity has helped over 70 horses and ponies, of which 29 have been successfully rehomed to date.  Horses coming into The Blue Cross are assessed then placed on a programme of rehabilitation to address any health, fitness or behavioural issues.  They are then rehomed whenever possible into active, fulfilling new homes, where the charity continues to monitor their progress twice yearly for the rest of their lives. 

Kath Urwin, Blue Cross centre manager at Rolleston, said: "I can't believe how quickly a year has gone by, but we're all so proud to look back at what we have achieved in that time.  More than 70 horses have come through the centre and many have needed a lot of work so we've certainly been busy!  Every horse is an individual and there have been some challenges along the way, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of placing a horse in a happy new home knowing that whatever their background, they will have a secure future."

Coincidentally, the first horse to come into the care of Blue Cross Rolleston was rehomed yesterday, almost a year to the day after the official opening.  Calypso, a handsome 15.2hh Morgan x Thoroughbred, was brought into the centre last year with another horse, Saracen, because their previous owner became ill and was unable to care for them any more. 

Calypso is a complex character and could be difficult to handle so he was put on a long-term rehabilitation and retraining programme to make sure he was suitable to rehome.  Fortunately, he responded well and his behaviour steadily improved throughout the year.  He will now enjoy a new life in Northamptonshire with his new owner, Hannah Gowney-Hedges.

Hannah said: "When I saw Calypso on the Blue Cross website he looked like everything I wanted: he was good looking, the right height and active so I could take him out and compete.  I went to visit him at The Blue Cross in Rolleston and was really impressed by the facilities and the lovely staff.  I went back to ride him a few more times to make sure we were suited and now I've finally brought him home!  He's settling in really well and has already made friends with my mare Penny, who has taken a real shine to him.  I'm so grateful to The Blue Cross and the real bonus is that I know they are always there to help if I ever need it."

Over the last year, Blue Cross staff and volunteers have been overwhelmed with support from the local community, not only from prospective horse owners but also from other visitors who have come along to the many public events that have been held at the centre. 

Kath Urwin continued: "We love opening up the centre to visitors and never fail to be impressed by the amount of people that turn up!  Our last open day in July attracted over a thousand visitors and raised £2,000 for the horses and ponies in our care.  We're always so grateful for any donations as we don't receive any government funding, so we do rely on the generosity of the general public to continue our vital work."

Participation in several Blue Cross events has meant a rise to fame for two of the ponies in the charity's care: loveable miniature Shetlands Misty and Star. 

The pair were taken to The Blue Cross when their previous owners could no longer look after them.  After a timid few months, they soon settled in and showed their more sociable side.  Over the summer, the cheeky ponies have been taken on a series of educational outings to local schools and they even took part in a recent Scout parade.  They have built up a solid fan base and staff declare that they are now proud celebrities in their own right.

Both ponies are available to sponsor jointly as part of The Blue Cross's sponsor-a-pony scheme, with all proceeds going towards the horses and ponies in the charity's care.  For more information, please phone 01993 825564 or email sap@bluecross.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Interviews with Blue Cross staff are available on request.  Images also available:
Calypso being ridden by Blue Cross groom Kim Wilde at the summer open day
Misty and Star showing off in front of a crowd
Blue Cross staff and volunteers at the Rolleston equine centre

Some of the highlights of the last year at Blue Cross Rolleston include:

Sep 2006   Official opening ceremony
Sep 2006   First Blue Cross horse successfully rehomed
Dec 2006 Christmas open day
Feb 2007   First pony care day for local children (more followed in April, June and August)
Mar 2007   First equine workshop held 'introduction to ground schooling'
June 2007 First dressage competition planned (later cancelled due to bad weather)
June 2007 Misty and Star make first public appearance at Rolleston school fete
July 2007   Summer open day
July 2007   First tour for local Pony Club members (another followed in August)
Aug 2007   Blue Cross Rolleston staff and horses take part in a riding display at the National Pony Club Championships in Shelford, Nottingham
Sep 2007   'Thank you' barbeque held for Blue Cross volunteers at the centre

The Blue Cross Rolleston equine centre is located on Dovecliff Road, Rolleston-on-Dove, Staffordshire, DE13 9AU.  Visitors are welcome but please call ahead for opening hours on 0845 260 5505 or email rolleston@bluecross.org.uk.

The centre rehabilitates and rehomes horses and ponies in need and is constantly seeking responsible new homes for its animals.  If you think you can offer a Blue Cross horse a second chance in life, please contact the centre.

The Blue Cross animal charity provides practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of small animal and equine adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year. Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. 

For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.

Media contact
Laura Dobson, Senior Press Officer, 020 7932 4065 / 07917 132 698