HAPPA Celebrates Triple Success at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

On the night of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026, the HAPPA team walked into the room hoping simply to represent the horses, ponies, and donkeys who rely on them. They walked out carrying three winners’ awards a moment so surreal, so overwhelming, that many of them struggled to hold back tears. These accolades did not feel like trophies; they felt like affirmation of struggle, of resilience, of the endless devotion that carries the charity through even the most difficult chapters.

For HAPPA, these awards illuminated something deeper. They honoured not just a charity, but a community. Every volunteer who braved the rain to muck out a stable, every visitor who stopped to ask about a horse’s story, every donor who sacrificed a little to give an equine a future. “These awards don’t just belong to HAPPA,” the team reflected. “They belong to every supporter, volunteer, visitor, and donor who has stood beside us, particularly through challenging times.”

Shores Hey Farm, the charity’s home, is more than a visitor attraction it is a place where the heartbeat of the community can be felt the moment you step onto the yard. It is a place shaped by passion, built through hardship, and kept alive by people who refuse to give up on an animal simply because the world already has. The farm stands today as a reminder of just how valued HAPPA is in both the local and wider community. Visitors arrive as strangers but leave as part of HAPPA’s story, having witnessed firsthand the compassion, skill, and sheer dedication it takes to rehabilitate a neglected equine.

And in receiving the Small Visitor Attraction and Experience of the Year Award for the beloved Own a Pony Days, the team felt recognised in a way that words scarcely justify. Their small but fiercely committed staff work tirelessly to create experiences that ignite wonder in children, spark curiosity in adults, and offer a doorway into the quiet, transformative world of equine care. Being honoured among such strong Lancashire tourist destinations humbled them profoundly; they have always done so much with so little, and their recognition offered hope to other small non‑profits dreaming of diversifying through agri‑tourism.

How would you describe HAPPA’s core purpose, and how has it evolved over the years?

HAPPA’s roots stretch back to 1937, when the charity began its mission in London. But as the demand for rescue services grew, so did the need for a place capable of providing safety on a larger scale. The pivotal moment came in 1974, when local horsewoman Pam Wood opened her own farm in Fence, Lancashire, offering a refuge to animals who had nowhere left to turn.

Every equine who arrives at HAPPA carries a story, and often a scar.

In 1984, the charity took another bold step. A once‑humble cattle farm Shores Hey Farm in Briercliffe was purchased, and over the decades that followed, it transformed into a state‑of‑the‑art equestrian and visitor facility. This metamorphosis was powered not by wealth or corporate backing, but by donations, legacy gifts, and unwavering community belief. What stood originally as a cattle farm slowly became an educational hub, a rescue centre, where equines and humans alike found purpose.

Today, HAPPA’s mission is crystal clear: to give a Second Chance to neglected, abused, and unwanted equines through rescue, rehabilitation, rehoming, and education. This mission is more than words…it is a lifeline.

To secure its future, HAPPA made a brave and visionary shift, blending equine welfare with agri‑tourism. Not to commercialise their work, but to share it, to invite people into the world of equine rescue, to let them feel the quiet power of a horse who has learned to trust again, and to experience the healing that comes from standing in the presence of an animal whose spirit has fought to survive.

It is a place built on community, belonging, and second chances, values reflected in every visitor who becomes a member, sponsor, or lifelong friend of the charity simply by stepping through the gates and choosing to care.

Working with neglected and sometimes severely abused horses and ponies must involve emotional highs and lows.  Can you share a moment that has stayed with you—whether challenging or uplifting—that encapsulates the impact of your work?

It began with a call in 2012. An eight‑month‑old foal lay motionless on the ground, his life hanging by the thinnest thread. When the team arrived, they faced a choice: end his suffering… or fight with everything they had to give him a second chance. They chose to fight. That foal was Bertie.

One member of the team still remembers kneeling beside him and whispering, “Come on, little one.” And then, weeks later, the moment came, the moment we will never forget. After weeks of round‑the‑clock care, Bertie gathered his strength, trembled, and pushed himself up onto his feet on his own for the very first time. It was the purest feeling of joy and accomplishment the team had ever known.

Bertie healed. Bertie learned. Bertie lived.

And then Bertie met Mary, his forever person, and together they created 13 years of memories. He became the horse who rewrote HAPPA’s story. Because of him, HAPPA evolved from a sanctuary into something even deeper: a place of Second Chances, a place that believes every equine, no matter how broken, can rise again.

His legacy breathes through every rescue, every rehabilitation, every rehoming. But for every Bertie, there are still equines waiting for their moment to stand up again, for someone to choose to fight for them too.

You obviously have a dedicated team, but what are the different types of expertise needed to run HAPPA, and what qualities do you look for in people joining your organisation?

At the heart of HAPPA is a team built not from titles or status, but from soul. Running a charity of this scale and sensitivity calls for a rare kind of expertise, one that blends technical skill with emotional depth. The people who walk into HAPPA each morning do so with an agile mindset, a willingness to lead with bravery, and the emotional intelligence to navigate both triumph and heartbreak in the same breath.

Some have carried this mission on their shoulders for more than fifteen years. Their knowledge – the kind that can only be forged through decades of hands‑on experience, is a blessing the charity never takes for granted. Others come with fresh eyes, new energy, and ideas that help HAPPA evolve in a world were standing still is not an option. Together, they form a living bridge between history and hope, between tradition and innovation.

But above all else, what defines a HAPPA team member is passion. An unwavering, unmistakable passion for the welfare of every rescued horse, pony, and donkey. It is a flame that must shine in every interaction, every decision, every moment.

How do horses and ponies end up at HAPPA, and what is the process of assessing, healing, and retraining horses that arrive in your care?  Is the aim then to re-home the horses and ponies?

Every equine who arrives at HAPPA carries a story, and often a scar. Over 300 cases of cruelty and neglect are investigated each year, calls born from fear, concern, or desperation from members of the public who hope HAPPA can intervene before it’s too late. The Inspectors, experts in the “Five Welfare Needs,” step in not only as enforcers but as educators, offering guidance when mismanagement, not malice, is the cause of suffering. Yet when neglect becomes cruelty, they act decisively, ensuring no equine is left unseen or unheard.

Those who can be saved are transported to Shores Hey Farm, where their healing begins. Every new arrival spends at least 21 days in the Isolation and Assessment Unit – a safe, quiet space where their health, behaviour, diet, and comfort are evaluated with extraordinary care. Veterinary surgeons tend to urgent medical needs. A specialist dietitian may step in. The farrier begins the delicate work of restoring damaged hooves. The team watches closely for signs of pain, fear… or the small glimmers of trust that mean a new beginning is taking root.

After integration into the wider herd, each equine begins a journey toward a Forever Home. Some become riding companions, others gentle field friends, veterans, or ongoing rehabilitation projects, each carefully matched through the charity’s Loan Scheme. And while HAPPA works tirelessly to give every equine a chance, sometimes the kindest act is to let go when suffering has gone too deep. Even those difficult farewells are carried out with love.

What can people expect when they visit your site, and how does the visitor experience help raise awareness of equine welfare issues?

Nestled in the sweeping beauty of Thursden Valley, HAPPA is not just a rescue centre, it is a retreat for families, animal lovers, and anyone seeking a moment of peace in a world that moves too fast. Every year, thousands make the journey to meet the resident equines whose courage and resilience speak louder than any words.

Visitors wander through a place where education becomes discovery: interactive activities, the Evolution of Equine Welfare Museum, story‑rich displays, heritage exhibits, and hands‑on learning woven into every corner. Children play. Families explore. Others sit quietly in the café, watching horses graze and breathe, feeling their own pace slow to match the rhythm of hooves and heartbeat.

And no visit is complete without stepping inside HAPPA Direct, the bustling tack and gift shop that supports the charity’s work with every purchase, whether it’s a beloved toy, a piece of tack, or something for four‑legged family members back home.

Even dogs are welcome partners in this healing environment. Their presence helps rehabilitate horses by teaching them that canine sounds, scents, and movements are nothing to fear.

But beyond activities and amenities, every visit carries a deeper meaning: simply by being there, people help secure the future of the equines who depend on HAPPA.

How does HAPPA fund its vital work, and what opportunities exist for supporters – whether individuals or businesses -to get involved through donations, sponsorship, or partnerships?

HAPPA receives no government funding. Its survival rests entirely on the generosity of people who believe in the power of second chances. Members, donors, sponsors, tourists and day visitors, whose kindness keeps the doors open and the stables warm.

Income flows from many places: fun days, courses, café visits, shop purchases, and the educational experiences that touch so many young lives. Every coffee, every ticket, every gift bought at the shop becomes part of a lifeline stretched toward an equine in need.

Supporters who aren’t equestrians find their place through café dining, events, and family days out. Equestrian visitors form their connection through rehoming, training clinics, shows, and the award‑winning Own a Pony Days. Businesses step forward as sponsors, partners, and donors of both funds and time. Businesses bring teams for volunteer days; individuals volunteer at fundraising events.

There are countless ways to get involved. And every one of them matters.

Your ‘Own a Pony’ experience is a great visitor experience – educational as well as fun. Who is this experience for and is it just the first step towards owning a horse/pony or does it equip you for ownership from the off? (I.e: would you recommend follow-up training etc)

The Own a Pony experience is more than a day out; it is a child’s first step into understanding what it truly means to care for another living being. Designed for young people aged six to sixteen, the day offers an honest, unfiltered glimpse into the commitment, responsibility, and love required to own a horse, pony, or donkey.

Looking ahead, HAPPA dreams of a future where every equine has a chance to heal…

For some, it becomes the first spark of a lifelong passion. For others, it is a meaningful encounter that teaches empathy, respect, and the weight of responsibility.

It is not a full training programme – it is the beginning of a journey. And for those whose hearts are captured, HAPPA offers follow‑up opportunities through courses, clinics, volunteering, and community involvement that deepen knowledge and skill.

What do you believe sets HAPPA apart from other equine charities in the UK?

What makes HAPPA different is not what we do, it’s how we do it.

Many equine charities rescue. Many rehabilitate. Many rehome. But HAPPA weaves these threads into something richer: a living community built on compassion, a place where every visitor becomes part of a story much bigger than themselves.

Here, equine welfare is not hidden behind stable doors, it is lived openly, shared generously, and taught with a tenderness that invites people to care deeply. The charity’s blend of rescue work and Agri‑tourism is not a business model; it is an act of courage that keeps the mission alive while bringing thousands into direct contact with the very equines whose stories need telling.

What sets HAPPA apart is simple and profound: We do not just save equines. We transform people. And transformed people can change the world of animal welfare.

What are your hopes for the future of HAPPA, and what key goals or initiatives are you most excited to pursue?

Looking ahead, HAPPA dreams of a future where every equine has a chance to heal, a future where more people discover the transformative power of interacting with a rescued horse, a future where Shores Hey Farm continues to grow as both a rescue centre, tourist destination, and a centre of learning.

Our goals are bold: expanding educational programmes, deepening community involvement, enhancing facilities, strengthening rescue capabilities, and reaching those who have not yet heard the quiet but urgent call of equines in need.

But beneath every plan lies something deeper -a promise. A promise to the animals who stand quietly in their fields, unaware of awards, funding, or strategy documents. A promise to the supporters who believe in second chances. A promise to the next child whose life will be changed by the touch of a pony’s muzzle.

HAPPA’s future is not built on aspiration alone. It is built on love, steadfast, determined, extraordinary love.