A neglected horse rescued as a yearling from Wales and first discovered at Your Horse Live triumphed in the 90cm class at The Cotswold Cup Championships at Cirencester Park.

RSPCA Kastone, who is now 11, was found emaciated and covered in untreated sores in a barn in Wales 10 years ago.

His rider, Bethan-May Greaves, first became aware of the chestnut gelding when she was working on a tradestand at Your Horse Live in 2014 and visited the RSPCA stand in the rescue village.

A chance conversation with RSPCA worker Gareth Johnson set the wheels in motion and Bethan was set to rehome Kastone. However, she then had a fall from another horse and broke her ankle.

A broken ankle and TV fame

“I had to call Gareth and tell him I was sadly unable to take Kastone on at that point and if someone else came along not to hold him on my behalf,” explained Bethan, who runs a small livery yard near Chinnor.

RSPCA Kastone when he was rescued

“Once my ankle was fixed a few months’ later, I got back in touch but Kastone had been reserved for the ITV show Give a Pet a Home, where he was championed by footballer Chris Kamara and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt.

“I applied for him through the TV show and went to meet him again — this time it was all filmed.”

Bethan was chosen to rehome Kastone and took him back to her Oxfordshire base, where he has gone from strength to strength.

“I backed him as a four-year-old and he has been pretty easy to produce. He is lively and has a cheeky side but I adore him and he can do no wrong in my eyes.

“He rules the yard,” said Bethan.

‘I’m so proud of him’

“He loves his jumping and really likes a crowd. He definitely plays up to people and cameras which played to our advantage at The Cotswold Cup,” continued Bethan.

“I cried when I crossed the finish line of the showjumping as I was so pleased for him. I knew he had the ability but didn’t think it would all come together like it did.

Bethan and Kastone celebrate their win

“I’m so proud of him.”

The pair added nothing to their dressage score of 28.4 to take victory by two penalties from Scarlett Starkey and Red Decadence.

Thirty-two combinations contested the class.

“I wish more people would give rescue horses a chance. They have more potential than people realise, but it can be hard to see through the scruffy pony you are presented with,” added Bethan.

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