Enya has attitude, now she needs votes

RDA pony Enya, of the Hastings Group, taking good care of her tiny rider, 6-year-old Olivia MacGregor. Photo / Paul Taylor

A short bay horse with "attitude to burn" is in the running for New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Horse of the Year Award.

Tui's Enya, an 18-year-old Morgan X Welsh mare, has been a stalwart of the Hastings Group RDA programme for nine years, since her previous owner found her unsuited to a job pulling a carriage.

Waipawa woman Maureen Skilton said she bought the pony to put into harness, "but Enya decided she didn't want to do harness work. She's always had plenty of personality and she'll let you know if she doesn't like something."

Enya was quite happy to be unemployed and spend her time as a paddock ornament, but owner Maureen felt the little horse was being wasted and decided to find something she would enjoy doing.

"A friend had placed a pony with the Hastings Group RDA and suggested I give them a call. They came, looked at Enya and fell in love with her."

When the time came to sell Enya, Maureen said, "it was a reluctant sale as I loved her. But I couldn't be more pleased she went to RDA. She's in her element."

Hastings Group RDA programme co-ordinator Ruth Holmes said Enya's strong build and perfect size instantly made her a valuable horse for the therapy programme.

"She is small enough for a child rider yet strong enough for a light adult," Ruth said.

"She is a great pony for our riders to go 'independent' on as she can be turned or stopped easily, and our coaches use her for lunge lessons for the more advanced riders. She's amazing with the children and tries her heart out with them. She gives them confidence - we give a 'Most Improved Rider' award every year, and virtually everyone who wins it has been riding Enya - that's how much she can do for a child."

Enya is not only regarded as a great pony for riders - but also a fantastic horse for teaching new volunteers, as she can "train" people to walk very slowly, Ruth said. "She is often used at training days because of this."

With attitude to burn, Enya knows that she is a star and is able to spot a camera from a mile away. Ruth said the little mare has high expectations of the people who ride and lead her, and doesn't suffer fools lightly.

"She will not accept rude handling or riding and there will be trouble if you don't meet her expectations " but she is putty in the hands of true horsemen and women and loves her job."

One of Enya's current riders is Molly, who lives with diplegic cerebral palsy and was extremely nervous when she first started riding therapy. Despite this, and with Enya's help, she was determined to ride independently. After many sessions with Enya, Molly now proudly does all her work off the lead, and is currently working on her trot on the lunge.

"Enya has taken Molly to the Hawke's Bay A&P Show and Hawke's Bay Western Riding Show with success, and she has encouraged Molly to work hard on her exercises " as the more fit she is, the better she can ride," Ruth explains.

"Together, Enya and Molly believe they can conquer every obstacle and achieve every outcome that is put before them."

Each year, New Zealand Riding for the Disabled (NZRDA) asks its 55 RDA Members around New Zealand to nominate one of their horses for NZRDA Horse of the Year.

Enya is one of 12 nominees. To cast your vote for Tui's Enya, please go to www.rda.org.nz/HOTY.htm