Standing at opposite ends of the equestrian scale, miniature pony Phantasma and towering Shire horse Marshall Bugsy are among the four-legged stars of Kynren – The Storied Lands, the major new live action attraction opening in Bishop Auckland on 18 July.
Pictured alongside Kynren Yard Manager David Turner Richardson, Bugsy is one of fewer than 200 grey Shires believed to remain worldwide.
At 18 hands and still growing, Bugsy quite literally dwarfs his miniature stablemate.
While Phantasma, the tiny 32 inch spotted pony, pictured with Deputy Yard Manager Lucy Watson, is already a firm favourite with the team thanks to his outsized personality.
Both Lucy and David have been part of Kynren since its launch in 2016 and are heavily involved in training the attraction’s growing team of horses for the large scale live performances featured throughout the new daytime park.
Visitors to Kynren – The Storied Lands will see horses playing starring roles across several productions including The Trusty Steed, Land of the Vikings and Legend of the Wear, with jousting, carriage driving, stunt riding and live action sequences forming a major part of the experience.
Bugsy is currently being carefully trained before eventually joining the performance team alongside fellow grey Shire Cosmo, while Phantasma is already very much at home – sharing his field with a more size-appropriate flock of sheep.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
