Broadcasting legend Angela Rippon champions horses in new TV appeal

VETERAN presenter Angela Rippon has made a heartfelt appeal supporting ponies in need and remembering the emotional bond she shared with her own beloved horse, Katie.

The Strictly Come Dancing star is taking centre stage in The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s new television advert, being broadcast nationally throughout October.

It was filmed at the charity’s Yelverton Moorland Rescue Facility, on Dartmoor, and features ponies rescued in recent high-profile welfare cases.

Angela and Katie

Angela, who was born and raised in Devon, has been a patron of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary since 2018. She describes herself as having a ‘lifelong passion for animals’ and enjoys spending time at the Sanctuary’s Yelverton yard, close to her South West home.

In addition to filming the advert, Angela appears in a new short film featured on the charity’s website, which describes her cherished lived experience with horses since childhood and her deep commitment to promoting their welfare.

Angela said: ‘Seeing horses on Dartmoor when I was a girl, I loved watching them. 

“‘I was never up close and personal with horses for a very, very long time, but seeing them on television and seeing what stunningly beautiful creatures they are; so elegant when you watch them, when they're moving, and I was just attracted to horses. But I never actually rode myself until I was well into my 30s.’

Angela, whose passion for all things equestrian inspired the front cover and many sections of her book ‘Angela Rippon's West Country’, describes the deep bond with her own horse as a source of calm and stability during her demanding career in journalism.

She said: “Her proper name was Extra Time, but to me she was Katie. I had some wonderful adventures with my beautiful, beautiful thoroughbred mare… competing and riding across Dartmoor.

“And in many ways, I think, she was what kept me sane when I was reading the news, when I was traveling the world, when I was doing a lot of international work. 

“I would come home to Devon, to Katie, to saddle her up and go out onto Dartmoor, 365,000 acres of Dartmoor in front of us and no telephones, of course. No mobile phones even then. I’d just get on a horse, beautiful open countryside in front of me, and go for a ride.

“No phone, no people, no cameras. No noise, no traffic. Just the ponies and the sheep and the skylarks and open, open countryside.

“And the freedom that that gave me, that wonderful feeling that you could do something for yourself, for your soul… to be just at one with another living creature and have the kind of relationship that means that I could talk to her. She did listen, but she never answered back.”

Angela also explains in the short film that her passion for horses is what makes her proud to be a patron of The Mare and Foal Sanctuary.

 ‘I love being associated with this charity and with other animal and horse charities worldwide, because I hate the thought of cruelty towards them in any way, shape or form.

“They are such beautiful creatures, I can't come to grips with and I can't imagine what must be going through someone's head to be cruel, unkind, vicious to them. I just can't see it.

“So, I support this charity. They're such magnificent animals that I want to do something positive that enables them to live better lives. And that's exactly what The Mare and Foal Sanctuary does.’

Dawn Vincent, the sanctuary’s director of fundraising and communications. said: ‘It's incredibly generous of Angela to volunteer her time freely to present our new television appeal and share her lifelong love for horses.

“She’s a fantastic ambassador for us, and we always look forward to welcoming her back when she returns to Devon. Her genuine interest in our work and our rescued ponies' shines through, and it’s clear she has a real affinity with them.

“Angela is a national treasure, and her support as our patron in raising awareness of our rescue, welfare, education, and equine-assisted programmes, is deeply appreciated by us all.’

The Mare and Foal Sanctuary’s new television advert is featured on ITV, Sky, and Channel 4, throughout October.