Horse show in memory of Batley mum

Louise Rose was once so passionate about horses she would jump on one if she saw it in a field when she couldn’t afford her own, just to be able to ride for a while.

When she was younger she used to attend shows and competitions with her Welsh ponies.

She later began to breed them.

Louise, who bred her horses with the help of her family at their home in Old Hall Road, Upper Batley, died aged just 44, at Kirkwood Hospice in 2010.

Daughter Chloe, 18, said: “Mum was well known among breeders of Welsh ponies from all over the place. We call it the Welsh World.”

Louise was born and grew up in Mirfield.

She moved to Ravensthorpe in the 1980s, where she started breeding the horses, and moved to Upper Batley around six years ago to benefit from the larger land and stables.

Chloe and her family held show competitions at Equus Livery Yard on Sunday in Louise’s memory.

Many people turned out to the show in Old Hall Road to take part in In Hand shows and a showjumping contest.

A raffle for prizes donated by friends and family as well as local businesses went towards a total of £1,625 raised on the day.

The money is expected to be matched by a national bank.

Chloe said: “There was a lot of people there; we had a really good turn-out. It was a fantastic day.

“Money was raised by riders taking part in the competitions, sponsorship and the raffle.”

Chloe was helped out by her family, dad Ronnie, brothers Damien and Timothy and her sister-in-law, Rachel.

The family will still breed Welsh ponies. They currently have around seven or eight horses.

“We’re good friends with Debbie and Arthur-Lee Gaskin, who own Equus, which is next door to us,” Chloe said.

“We’re grateful to them for letting us put the show on.”

The family plan to make the memorial show an annual event.