The Mane Event: Gold Cup brought to Cheltenham care home as residents enjoy pony visit

A local care home resident was delighted to have her dream come true after wishing to receive a visit from ponies and getting to hold the famous Gold Cup trophy.

When the team at Care UK’s Sandfields, on St George's Road, discovered 84-year-old resident Jean Griffin’s love for horses, they were determined to give her an un-fur-gettable time.  

 

Jean’s interest in horses began when she was eight years old. She recalls that her love for horses and riding started in childhood when she would pet the delivery horses that brought dairy products such as milk. In return, she would always offer them a sugar lump.

One day, she noticed an advertisement for a horse. A woman who lived nearby was no longer able to ride due to ill health. At just ten years old, Jean was given the opportunity to help exercise the horse and keep it fit by riding it daily.

In anticipation of the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup, the team at Sandfields arranged for the Gold Cup trophy to be brought into the home for Jean and her fellow residents to see. They had the opportunity to hold the Gold Cup and learn about its history, dating back over a century, including that it weighs 644 grams and is made of solid 18-carat gold, measuring approximately 24 inches in length.

In addition, residents at Sandfields enjoyed a visit from Lollipop Ponies, which included a rare 16-year-old Palomino Shetland Pony called Elsa. Jean and her fellow residents spent the afternoon petting and feeding Elsa, with Jean also taking Elsa on a tour of the Sandfields grounds and garden.

Commenting on the visit from Lollipop Ponies and seeing the Gold Cup, Jean said: “I was delighted to meet Elsa, she really reminded me of my days mucking out and feeding my own horse. 

“As a child, I couldn’t watch the Gold Cup since we didn’t have a television back then. However, I really enjoyed watching it on the large screen at Sandfields last year and holding the cup was an amazing experience.”

The visit was organised as part of the Care UK Wishing Tree initiative, which encourages residents to put their wishes forward, allowing them to reconnect with a past hobby or try something completely new – from flying on a plane to enjoying a fish and chip supper, no wish is too big or small.

Malaika Charles, Home Manager at Sandfields, added: “Our Wishing Tree initiative is a wonderful way for residents to share their dreams and interests, and it’s incredibly rewarding to make those dreams a reality. 

“Jean has always talked about her love for horses. With The Cheltenham Gold Cup being one of the most prestigious races in the National Hunt calendar and right here in our community, we knew we had to do something special for her. Horses and ponies are also fantastic therapy animals for older adults due to their gentle nature, ability to connect with people, and the emotional and physical benefits they provide. 

“Jean had a fantastic time learning about the Gold Cup trophy and meeting Elsa. She hasn’t stopped talking about it since! I would like to extend a big thank you to the teams at The Cheltenham Festival and Lollipop Ponies for helping to make Jean’s wish come true!”

Sandfields is a state-of-the-art care home which provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia and short-term respite care. The care home incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.