The manager of a retirement home for horses near Sennybridge has won a prestigious award.

Nicky van Dijk, of Happy Horse Retirement Home, has been awarded the 'Lifetime Achievement’ award at the Equestrian Business Awards, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the equestrian community.

The renowned home cares for various breeds and attracts horses from all over the world - including five from Dubai, many from Europe and even Bermuda .

Nicky first qualified as a riding instructress at 18 years old then ran her own riding school and livery yard in Hertfordshire before she moved to Wales in 1987. She and her Dutch husband Raymond then started a retirement home for horses, creating a peaceful safe haven for horses who require specialist care with individual needs - the first of its kind in the UK .

Nicky has dedicated 34 years of her life to the care of horses in their twilight years and also helped young people through the apprenticeship programme. Her huge social media following is a platform for sharing best practice and strategies for the caring of retired horses.

Happy Horse also works closely with the veterinary world, assisting with cutting edge research into equine neurological conditions. Nicky’s ethos has stood the test of time and paved the way for how retirement livery should be done.

Nicky was the chief instructor of the Sennybridge Pony Club and received the Cubit Award from the club for 25 years of service.

All of these achievements were celebrated with this highly respected national award, which is recognised throughout the equine industry in the UK.