SPORTING a Manx triskelion and two Celtic designs, Brek the pony is clearly getting into the spirit of Tynwald Day.
He was given the makeover at Pennybridge stables in Kirk Michael – and seemed to enjoy the attention as the island’s Tynwald Pony.
Pennybridge owner Carolyn Stephenson said: ‘We thought it would be fun to celebrate Tynwald in a different way as it’s the Queen’s Jubilee Year. We had read about a horse being painted for the Olympics and thought we would do that same with a Tynwald theme for Tynwald Day.
‘Like all my ponies he does Riding for the Disabled, so Brek’s very well behaved. He loved having it done – particularly as he got extra snacks.’
It took three-and-a-half hours to transform the 20-year-old gelding, giving his coat a red background on to which was painted two Archibald Knox-style Celtic knots and the Three Legs using a harmless wash that easily comes off.
Sandie Divers, a friend of Carolyn who is more used to painting kids’ faces than ponies, did the artwork. A projector was used to project the design on the pony’s side which then traced and coloured.
Sadly, as soon as it was completed, and portrait pictures taken, Brek’s new look had to be washed off again.
Carolyn said it was unlikely that Brek’s Tynwald Pony look could be recreated for Tynwald Day itself. ‘It’s possible but it’s quite hard to do,’ she said.