The Princess Royal opens World Horse Welfare centre

HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened new facilities at the World Horse Welfare Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming centre, near Somerton.

The facilities – including an indoor arena and visitor centre – will enable the site to complete rehabilitation work all year round, while providing visitors with an insight to the World Horse Welfare’s work in the UK and around the world.

HRH The Princess Royal – who is the president of the charity – also unveiled a new sculpture (pictured above) as part of the opening, which depicts a World Horse Welfare adoption horse named May. The piece, created by sculptor Judy Boyt, is split into two halves, with one side showing an emaciated May when she was first rescued by World Horse Welfare and the other showing her now she is back to full health.

Speaking at the event, the Princess Royal said: “These new facilities are a fantastic achievement. I am hugely impressed by the planning, forethought, layout and understanding of what was needed, not just for the horses who receive care at Glenda Spooner Farm, but for the people who come here and visit too.”

She added: “Glenda Spooner Farm’s redevelopment is a long-term investment, which has the scope to attract more interest from supporters, but to also do a lot more good.”

To find out more about the World Horse Welfare's work, visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org