The Not-So-Secret Diary of Diva the Shetland Pony

Hello,

I’m Lorraine. I’m a qualified riding instructor who has worked in the veterinary industry for more years than I care to remember! I live in Rutland and enjoy writing novels, listening to rock music, and spending time with my rescue dog, Flora.

Horses are a huge part of my life, and I’ve been blogging about my three horses (Diva, Mabel and Florence) for Lancaster’s sister company, Equesure, for five years now.

I started riding regularly from the age of six and got my own pony when I was 10. I’ve competed in showjumping to Foxhunter level and moved into showing when a showjumping-bred foal I’d bought showed no love for the game and did well with me as a youngster in hand at county level. Having become hooked on showing, I won at county and national levels in Ridden Coloured, Ridden Cob and Working Hunter classes, as well as in hand.

In the past, I have worked with polo ponies when the team won the Deauville Gold Cup in France, spent time working with international show jumpers, and also on a thoroughbred stud farm where I helped foal down over 40 mares.

Every show horse I’ve owned was either bought as a foal or was an unshown adult before I got them. I’ve produced them myself and held my own against the professionals, which is no mean feat!

I love competing but enjoy being with my horses at home just as much. Mabel, who I bought as an unshown five-year-old, is sadly no longer with us but we regularly competed at the Royal International Horse Show and won at county and national level, including the Royal Norfolk Show and the BSPA National Championships. She truly was my horse of a lifetime and will never be forgotten.

I am now showing Diva (Melland Queen of Scots) in affiliated classes at county level with numerous wins, most notably in the Yeld Mare Class at the Royal Highland Show in 2022. Some of the top Shetland pony studs had mares in the class, so that made it even more special. In 2024 she was Supreme Shetland Pony Champion at both Midland Counties and FUSS shows.

Florence had an extensive in hand career as a youngster, winning and being placed at county shows and national championships. She is currently doing Working Hunter classes and lives with my sister, Michelle.

In my blog, we’ll follow Diva and her friends going to shows and clinics throughout the year, as well as providing travel tips for horse and pony care whilst on the move.

Good horsebox and breakdown insurance is essential for those travelling with their horses and ponies, and you can rely on Lancaster to come to your assistance and keep you safe when things go wrong.