A HERD of horse sculptures will be joining competitors at the 2016 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials as part of World Horse Welfare’s ‘Invisible Horse Trail’ created by celebrated sculptor and designer, Judy Boyt and working in partnership with a number of the UK’s best artists.

As part of its Charity of the Year status at the prestigious event, World Horse Welfare has partnered with Judy Boyt to produce a number of miniature fibreglass horses which will then be designed and painted by well-known artists and personalities, before going on display in an interactive trail for visitors at Badminton Horse Trials in May.

World Horse Welfare’s Adoption Horse, May, at the charity’s Glenda Spooner Farm in Somerset was selected as Judy’s muse in order to craft a clay maquette which will be used to create a mould for the individual horses, each standing at 7hh.

Judy said: “It is an honour to be asked to sculpt the horse for the Invisible Horse Trail and it is a great opportunity for me to be able to contribute something back to the animal that has featured so much in my life.

“I was delighted to meet the amazing character May, my hairy, chunky cob type model and at the same time see first-hand the care and diligent work carried out by all the staff at World Horse Welfare. This experience has opened my eyes to the plight of too many neglected horses and ponies.”

World Horse Welfare Director of Fundraising, Emma Williams said: “Not only will the Invisible Horse Trail add another element to the already electric Badminton Horse Trials event, but it’s also a unique way to tell the stories of World Horse Welfare horses and ponies through the skills of talented artists and designers.

“We’re so grateful to Judy for helping us to bring the Invisible Horse Trail to fruition when only a couple of months ago it was just the seeds of an idea. Seeing our adoption horse May immortalised in her stunning clay maquette was a really special moment and we can’t wait to see the trail horses in action once our artists have worked their magic.”

Artists and sponsors for the Invisible Horse Trail are currently being confirmed and will be announced in due course. If you are interested in sponsoring a horse on the trail please get in touch with Lucie Stangl at World Horse Welfare: luciestangl@worldhorsewelfare.org