Take a look at some of the record breaking horses, ponies and riders below. These amazing four legged creatures never cease to amaze us! From record heights to record wins they are forever making history… you never know it might inspire you to set a record of your own!
Smallest Horse
‘Little Pumpkin’ is the smallest ever known horse. He stood only 14 inches tall and weighted only 20 pounds on Nov. 30, 1975. He was foaled in April 15, 1973 and was owned by J.C. Williams Jr. of Della Terra Mini Horse Farm, Inman, SC.
Thumbelina lives up to her namesake
Thumbelina, a miniature sorrel brown mare, measures 44.5 cm (17.5 in) to the withers and is on the record as the smallest pony living currently! She is owned by Kay and Paul Goessling (Both USA) who live on the Goose Creek Farm Inc, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
So what about the worlds largest horse?
The tallest documented horse was a shire gelding named Samson. He was 21.2 1/2 hands tall, and weighed 3,360 pounds. He was bred by Thomas Cleaver of Toddington Mills, England, and was foaled in 1846.
The oldest horse reliably recorded was Old Billy. He lived to be 62 years old. He was foaled in 1760 and died in 1822. He was bred by Edward Robinson of Woolston, England. The oldest pony reliably recorded was named Teddy E. Bear, and he was owned by Kathy Pennington of Virginia Beach, VA.
There are also some more famous horses hitting the headlines… anyone heard of Red Rum?
The only horse to win The Grand National three times is Red Rum (foaled 1965) in 1973, 1974 and 1977, from five runs, giving Red Rum the most Grand National Wins. He came second in 1975 and 1976.
The Grand National boasts £900’000 purse but the greatest prize money for horse racing is for the Breeders’ Cup Championship Day series staged annually in the USA since 1984. In 1999 the eight Breeders’ Cup races and two additional stakes races (held at Gulfstream Park, Hallandale, Florida on 6 November) had a total of $13.2 million (£9.1 million) in prize money.
Record breaking Olympic Games: Three-Day Eventing
Most gold medals (rider) Charles Pahud de Mortanges (Netherlands) has won four gold medals- the individual title in 1928 and 1932, and the team event 1924 and 1928. Mark Todd (New Zealand) is the only other rider to have won the individual title twice, in 1984 and 1988.
World Championships
Most titles (rider) Two riders have won three world titles: Bruce Davidson (U.S.), individual title in 1974 and 1978, team title in 1974; and Virginia Leng (Great Britian) individual in 1986 and team in 1982 and 1986. Davidson is the only rider to have won two individual championships.
Most titles (country)
Great Britain has won the team title a record three times, 1970, 1982, and 1986.
For more information on world record breaking horses and equestrian related records please see www.guinnessworldrecords.com
