Redwings rescue horse Matty becomes Norfolk Show champion

Matty came into the care of Redwings Horse Sanctuary in 2013 after a woman found him collapsed in a field, severely dehydrated and covered in lice and sores.

He has fully recovered and now lives in a home with his guardian and Redwings vet Sarah.

Matty was very unwell when he was rescued 11 years ago (Image: Redwings)

Last Thursday, Matty competed in the Rescue classes at the Royal Norfolk Show and was named the overall champion.

Redwings welfare vet, Nicola Berryman, was present at Matty's rescue and cheered him on at the show.

"Matty’s story does stick in my mind," Ms Berryman said.

"It was me who introduced Sarah to Matty - it was her first day working at Redwings and he was a tiny and weak young foal.

He made a full recovery with due care and attention (Image: Redwings)

"She fell absolutely in love and then patiently waited to rehome him when he was older.

"The rest, as they say, is history.”

Ms Berryman also remembers the rescues of the other five Redwings horses and ponies that competed and said she is "so incredibly proud" of them all.

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Edward won the Reserve Champion title, Jerome came second in the In-Hand Rescue class and Honey came second in the Veteran rescue class.

Yarn and Destiny placed fourth and fifth respectively in the In-Hand class.

Everyone at Redwings is 'incredibly proud' of Matty's progress (Image: Redwings)

Redwings chief executive Lynn Cutress said: “I feel such incredible pride.

“These horses came to us from such terrible backgrounds - some of them in an utterly awful condition like Matty.

“To see them as they are today is like a dream and is the reason we do the hard work that we do.

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“Their guardians of course deserve so much credit and it’s wonderful to see the love they have for them.”

Redwings, which has centres in Aylsham, Caldecott and Great Yarmouth, was established in 1984 and has grown to be the largest horse welfare charity in the UK.

It is currently responsible for more than 2,000 rescued horses and donkeys across the UK, including 700 living out on permanent loan in guardian homes.