Softie

The huge field master’s horse on whom Bill Andrewes believed he could “rule the world”

- Bill Andrewes

THERE was only ever going to be one name for Softie. “He did have a proper name,” says Bill Andrewes, former master and chairman of the Ludlow.

“I can’t remember what it was, but Softie stuck, because he was. He had a lovely, gentle nature.”

A 17.2hh Danish warmblood, Softie arrived aged five and “very green”, having done nothing. “I think I bought him locally through Horse & Hound,” Bill says. “He was quite capable of having a hissy fit, but he was never nasty. He was a very, very well-tempered horse.”

A “weekend rider” by necessity, Bill turned Softie over to Judy Lloyd to school him.

“She turned him into the most wonderful horse.”