“It’s probably an overused term but Mulry really was a horse of a lifetime” says Vanessa Ryle of Mulry’s Error, the horse ridden by Ben Hobday who captured the public imagination and hearts.
Vanessa, who rode Mulry’s Error at Pony Club, has farewelled the popular horse on social media, saying “He took us to places we never thought we would go, he gave us days we’ll never forget and led us to friendships that will last a lifetime”
The part Clydesdale Mulry’s Error was an unlikely candidate to become a superstar eventer, but he became the known as the ‘wonder cob’ of the sport during his career. He was initially ridden by Vanessa's mother Sallie, his owner throughout his career, in BE eventing competitions until Ben took over the ride in 2011, taking their first win at Floors Castle in 2012.
The pair had already competed at CCI5* level at both Burghley (2014) and Badminton (2015) when Ben was diagnosed with cancer, documenting his treatment and recovery process on social media. In May 2016, Ben and Mulry's Error returned to the top of the sport, completing Badminton once again with the support of the whole eventing community behind them.
“Mulry gave us ALL so much joy, so much happiness. I don’t think you could get more fun from one horse than we all had from Mulry. And for that we will forever be grateful” says Vanessa “And how lucky are we, to be able to say that. He was ours. And Mum, myself and particularly Ben, loved and cherished him right till the end”
