Rhiannon had a successful show season as a foal, but tragically caught a hind leg in a fence when she was a yearling. She damaged it so badly I thought I would lose her -- when the vet saw the mess and the blood loss he reckoned most other horses would have died there and then. But Rhiannon has always been a fighter, and although she did a lot of tendon damage, she copes well with the injury. It certainly doesn't stop her racing around with the other horses!

She was always my favourite purebred mare, and was too valuble as a broodmare to lose. This has been proved by the two Tycoon babies she has had so far; they are both stunners. The first, a gelding names Rosewood Ardashir, owned by endurance rider Jenny Rouse, is over 15.2hh. The second, a filly named Rosewood Ashira, is an elegant copy of her mother and should mature into a beautiful mare.

Her 2003 foal is by Colorado, a huge bay colt, who is easily the same size as Ardashir was, with the most wonderful temperament. Bashir will make a really lovely performance horse, and I will be interested to see where he goes.

- the graceful turn of her neck, the delicate, pointed ears, and every line of her body, instinct with life and intelligence, exerted on Ken the fascination that horses have always exerted upon human beings. Mary O'Hara My Friend Flicka

pictures: Barbara Thompson