“Give Her a Big Hug”: Days After Going Missing, ‘Very Special’ Pony Brings Joy Back Within the Equestrian Community

A therapy pony, Star, bred for disabled horseriding, mysteriously vanished on June 3. Despite employing drones and thermal imaging, equestrian owner Anne Allen has been unable to locate Star, the Shetland pony and show champion. The search continued in the serene Blackdown Hills of Somerset.

After the Royal Bath and West Show, Ms. Allen had given Star a break in the field, only to find her missing the following day. The field was meticulously searched, but no evidence was found. However, after over a week, a stroke of luck emerged when Star was discovered safe and sound in a neighboring field.

The lost pony of the equestrian has been successfully returned home

With suspicions of foul play, Ms. Allen holds a strong belief that Star was unlawfully taken. The news of her disappearance spread like wildfire through a viral social media campaign, leading to the pony’s return. The power of the online community likely played a pivotal role in her safe return. While the petite pony may still be feeling a bit unsettled by her ordeal, Ms. Allen’s happiness knows no bounds as she reunites with her cherished companion. “I’m going to go down to see her and give her a big hug, and spoil her with a couple of carrots,” she expressed to BBC. 

For nearly 11 days, the elusive whereabouts of Star remained a mystery.  Despite utilizing drones and thermal imaging cameras, the search efforts were unable to uncover the truth. Star stands at a diminutive height of 32 inches. When the news broke of Star’s disappearance the whole community united for the search.

Community unites to find missing equestrian pony

In response to the call for search, the Avon and Somerset police departments swiftly mobilized. Collaborating with the Horse Watch scheme, they appealed to the community for assistance. The police paid Anne a visit, gathering her statement and offering security advice for her remaining horses. Her plea for information spread across social media, emphasizing contact through Facebook.

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The neighborhood rallied together, conducting extensive searches for Star. The community remained united in its determination to bring Star back home and the collective efforts of everyone turned fruitful, as Star finally returned home, where it belongs.

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