South West Community Foundation chair Barrie Baker said Daphne had proven to be very popular with the riders.

“We had a request for a grant to purchase a new horse,” he said.

“The community foundation is about local people helping local causes,

“We are particularly keen on things that enrich the community and this is certainly an example of that enrichment.

“You can tell from how much enthusiasm they have that they enjoy it.

“This is a terrific activity and it’s a great joy for the foundation to be involved with it.”

 Warrnambool RDA senior coach and coordinator Colleen Fawkes has been very happy to have the new pony so they can cater for another rider.

“Daphne has been a great little pony, she is just the right size and just the right personality for the kids,” Mrs Fawkes said.

“It can be difficult to find the right horses, they have to have the right temperament.”

Selecting appropriate ponies for the program is one of the biggest challenges of running the RDA, according to Mrs Fawkes.

“We throw things around, make lots of noise and the horse has be able to put up with that.”