A HUGELY popular and warm-spirited pony has today been fondly remembered for his loyal commitment to children with disabilities.

Strikey the pony was a firm favourite for 17 years at the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) Shelley Centre, near Hadleigh.

In that time he made a positive contribution to the lives of children at the centre who rode him regularly and embraced his kind and patient nature.

At 27 years of age, Strikey had gone home to spend the half-term holiday with his owner Linda Redlich when he became ill with colic and sadly never recovered.

He will be missed, not just by his owner, but also by the many children and adults he came into contact with.

Strikey, a chestnut haflinger pony, was chosen as the RDA pony of the year in 2009 to celebrate the organisation’s 40th anniversary.

A model was even made in his image as part of a nationwide competition to find the best-loved horse or pony and featured in the 2010 Breyer range of figurines.

RDA volunteer Hayley Brock said: “Strikey was a good-natured, patient and very kind pony.

“He had a great relationship with everyone who rode him.

“My sympathy goes to his owner who has lost a much-loved friend and to everyone at the Shelley Centre who rode or looked after Strikey, including Lyn the stable manager.

“The model made of him by Breyer will be a fitting tribute to a wonderful pony who brought joy into the lives of so many.”