AT the ripe old age of 33, Ginger the pony is to be treated to a special visit his younger stablemates can only dream of.
For as the longest serving pony at Edinburgh's Drum Riding School for the Disabled, the grandfather of the stables will this week mingle with Royalty.
In recognition of 20 years of service at the Gilmerton charity, he is to be treated like a king
when HRH The Princess Royal pays a visit to commemorate his achievement.
And his keepers expect he will lap up the attention, charming Princess Anne with his charisma.
Chief instructor Ena Gaffney said: "I suspect she will think he is a real cutey – which he is.
"He'll definitely behave on the visit too, there's no doubt about that."
Ginger, a 13-hand Palomino, was born in 1975 into a family where he was regularly ridden by children who fondly called him "The Gingerbread Man" because of his colour.
He was bought soon after by the Nisbett family who founded the riding school, on Drum Street, 50 years ago this year.
And it was here, two decades ago, that he began making a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of disabled people who have been allowed to ride on his back as a form of therapy over the years.
Ena said: "Ginger will have helped so many children, making a significant contribution to their lives.
"There are children who cannot even hold their heads up who get on a pony, with help, and it's great for them – the pony acts as their therapist."
Princess Anne will tomorrow visit the riding school to mark its half-century anniversary, as well as opening a new £72,000 extension.
She will pay tribute to Ginger and the volunteers who have committed themselves to the cause over the years.
Although Ginger is the oldest pony at the school by some 20 years, he still continues to participate in at least four classes a week.
On passing the three-decade milestone, he passed into semi-retirement.
And even though he may be considered a senior citizen in pony terms, he is still able to run circles around his keepers, who say he can open stable doors and gates, as well as limbo under chained-off areas, all to get to the school's grassy area he loves so much.
Ena said: "We found him the other day, after he had sneaked out, eating about five apples – his mouth was foaming with the juice. We call him Houdini.
"Anyone will tell you though, he doesn't like being alone. He loves to be with the other ponies. It's fair to say we all have a soft spot for Ginger."
The full article contains 459 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
