Snoopy on the red carpet

A NEGLECTED pony rescued from Dunsink had a special treat earlier this month when he was given the red carpet treatment at a star studded event.

Snoopy, who is blind in one eye from his injuries, was the star attraction at a special Gala presentation of the UK’s National Theatre production of War Horse at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre.

The abused animal was one of four starved ponies rescued from a patch of land at Dunsink by the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT). Sadly, Snoopy was the only one to survive.

But Snoopy and his new pals at the rescue centre will benefit from the event as it was a fundraiser for the IHWT. And other horses in Dunsink may benefit too as the IHWT have now set up an educational programme in the area.

Before the gala event Snoopy met with lead cast member Lee Armstrong, several VIPs, Olympic equestrians and even Government ministers to promote the charity that rescued him.

Sponsors of the event, Land Rover Ireland, provided three of their top models to keep Snoopy company as he greeted guests arriving for the special War Horse fundraiser.

The Irish Horse Welfare Trust (IHWT) has currently over 100 horses at its rescue centre in Wicklow. It survives on public donations and sponsorship and is the only charity exclusively dedicated to dealing with the current crisis in horse welfare in Ireland.

The IHWT gala evening also featured some of Team Ireland Equestrian’s International squad including showjumper Cian O’Connor and eventer Joseph Murphy in a pre-show reception Q&A session with broadcaster and IHWT patron Robert Hall.