A tribute to Hercules, my little superstar and The Mini Marvels Team Leader
The story of Hercules
We did many things together, visiting children in hospital, special appearances and displays. He hit the big time with his entertainment career in 1988 at The Olympia Show Jumping Championships, alongside my top international dressage horse Salute, together we worked in the long reining comedy display called 'The Long and the Short of It'. Hercules retired as The Mini Marvels Team Leader in 2003 at the European Dressage Championships. As he had so many fans and was such star this page will always stay up.
Known as Dunkie to his friends, due to him The Mini Marvels team was born, he was my inspiration the Toys and for my big production The Magic of the Horse.
It was a great honour in 2007 that due to the work he did Dunky is featured in the B.H.S. Diamond Jubilee celebrations. In a specially commissioned three part painting he is one of only 22 horses and the only miniature featured in the painting of
BHS DIAMOND JUBILEE PRINT BEST OF BRITISH PANEL 2 - WORKING HORSES
Known as Dunkie to his friends, due to him The Mini Marvels team was born, he was my inspiration the Toys and for my big production The Magic of the Horse.
It was a great honour in 2007 that due to the work he did Dunky is featured in the B.H.S. Diamond Jubilee celebrations. In a specially commissioned three part painting he is one of only 22 horses and the only miniature featured in the painting of
BHS DIAMOND JUBILEE PRINT BEST OF BRITISH PANEL 2 - WORKING HORSES
Meet Hercules the little Star
. Very few people knew his story so I have put together some of the high points that we shared.
Even though he was featured in many magazines, he also opened shops, he did solo displays with me, he had been on children's TV and in adverts. The last one he did was for a very famous TV soap called Emmerdale - he was seen in bed! He was quite a cheeky little chap at times, but he was always on his best behaviour when we visited children in Hospitals and never put a foot wrong.
In this photo we were opening a Hermes shop in London and he was the celebrity star guest
Even though he was featured in many magazines, he also opened shops, he did solo displays with me, he had been on children's TV and in adverts. The last one he did was for a very famous TV soap called Emmerdale - he was seen in bed! He was quite a cheeky little chap at times, but he was always on his best behaviour when we visited children in Hospitals and never put a foot wrong.
In this photo we were opening a Hermes shop in London and he was the celebrity star guest
His nickname was Jaws
What can l say he was not the little angel that he looked, his nickname was Jaws! As far as he was concerned he was the boss and no other horse was allowed close to him. If they got to close he would rear up on his hind legs and go for them mouth wide open. It didn't matter what size they were, the bigger the better! If we were at a show l would warn people not to get to close - but they didn't always believe me until he threatened them ! Warrior was the only other mini that he would allow near him when we were working doing our displays and he had to travel next to him in the horsebox.
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His story began in the USA
His story began in the USA where he was born; from there he travelled to England and then up to Scotland when he was a yearling. I met the man who actually transported little fella to his new home in Scotland and he said he had never seen a horse so little, Dunkie had been brought to his farm from the airport, when he asked the driver where was the horse? The driver went to the front of the lorry and lifted little Dunkie out of the cab and put him on the grass, with that he took off at the gallop and went straight through the peoples legs!
They tried to catch him, but he just kept ducking and diving, so it was decided that he could stay where he was for a bit longer as he was not in any danger and he could settle down. Off they went to the house to have cup of tea, while they were drinking they heard a little sound on the steps, can you guess who was standing there? He must have decided he was ready for a warm bed and sleep, No, he didn't sleep in the bedroom - that was to happen much later in his life when he made the Emmerdale advert - but he was given a very cosy little stable
He was given to me by my friends Anne and Campbell Graham, they asked me if I had the space for a little horse and I said 'yes' with that he made the long trip down from Scotland. Little did I realise just how much this little fella would be involved in my life! Even at three years old he was very cheeky and full of character, we soon found out what his party piece was. He would always test you just to check that you were wide-awake and not taking him for granted just because he was small. If you were leading him and didn't keep the lead rope short he would just go up on his hind legs walk at you and then either try to box you or put his front legs around your neck. We would always warn anyone leading him for the first time, but they didn't always believe us - until we heard them shouting 'get off Dunkie' then we knew they had been 'boxed'!
They tried to catch him, but he just kept ducking and diving, so it was decided that he could stay where he was for a bit longer as he was not in any danger and he could settle down. Off they went to the house to have cup of tea, while they were drinking they heard a little sound on the steps, can you guess who was standing there? He must have decided he was ready for a warm bed and sleep, No, he didn't sleep in the bedroom - that was to happen much later in his life when he made the Emmerdale advert - but he was given a very cosy little stable
He was given to me by my friends Anne and Campbell Graham, they asked me if I had the space for a little horse and I said 'yes' with that he made the long trip down from Scotland. Little did I realise just how much this little fella would be involved in my life! Even at three years old he was very cheeky and full of character, we soon found out what his party piece was. He would always test you just to check that you were wide-awake and not taking him for granted just because he was small. If you were leading him and didn't keep the lead rope short he would just go up on his hind legs walk at you and then either try to box you or put his front legs around your neck. We would always warn anyone leading him for the first time, but they didn't always believe us - until we heard them shouting 'get off Dunkie' then we knew they had been 'boxed'!
The First Display
The first major horse show that he performed in was The Olympia Christmas Show in London, it was a comedy routine that l called the 'Long and the Short of It'. Dunkie worked alongside my former international dressage horse Salute, copying everything he did. It was so popular that the closing picture shown on the BBC every night at the end of the coverage was of Dunkie proudly sitting on his beanbag.
Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund
When I retired Salute from top competion I decided to make an event of it and I arranged a 10 mile sponsored walk for Salute and Dunkie across the downs. Together with the people who accompanied them they raised thousands of pounds for the Mark Davies Injured Riders Fund, the walk finished at The Goodwood International Dressage Championships with both the horses receiving a special rosette and sash.
Dunkie and I also visited hospitals and one of them was the Great Ormond Street Childrens in London. Some of the children had lovely photos taken with him, but I won't forget one little girl who knew Dunkie through the magazines articles she had seen. When she heard he was coming she would not have her chemotherapy until she had met him. It was lovely to know that he made such an impact on other peoples lives.
Dunkie and I also visited hospitals and one of them was the Great Ormond Street Childrens in London. Some of the children had lovely photos taken with him, but I won't forget one little girl who knew Dunkie through the magazines articles she had seen. When she heard he was coming she would not have her chemotherapy until she had met him. It was lovely to know that he made such an impact on other peoples lives.
The Team practising
One of the proudest moments was when the Mini Marvels team worked in the special Jubilee Event in 2002 for Her Majesty the Queen at The Royal Windsor Showground. With the Castle in the background it was a fantastic setting, 1000 horses including us were invited to take part in the event called 'All the Queens Horses'.
We were in the Dream scene it was great, Dunkie even got his photo in a national newspaper when we were doing rehearsals!
We were in the Dream scene it was great, Dunkie even got his photo in a national newspaper when we were doing rehearsals!
The Toy Inspiration
When l had major back surgery I was in hospital for a few weeks, following on from that l couldn't ride for a year. It was during that time l decided to make a toy based on Dunkie. It took me a few years to make it all happen but it did and l owe it all to him, he was the inspiration for the toys, so now you can buy your very own Mini Marvel.
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Hercules Retires
At the age of 23 I felt that it was time for the Little Star to retire from being the leader of the Team though he still had other things to do. He had toured the country wowing the crowds of all ages, putting his best hoof forward making sure that people didn't forget him or his Team. As the Team were doing their displays at the European Dressage Championships at Hickstead 2003 I felt it was the right place for him to retire. During the evening Gala performance after the Team had worked. We did a solo piece and had a special presentation for him, he finished his career on a high. Many people said they would miss seeing the cheeky little fella leading the team.
The Future
The last time that Dunkie was seen by the public was on TV in The Emmerdale advert - there can't be many horses who have had such a varied career and life as he had. He is much missed but he leaves many memories and some children, he won't be forgotten.They will carry on with his work, other members of the Team will visit the hospitals and do the charity work. The Mini Marvels® will carry on with their interpretation of Riverdance, they were in my production 'The Magic of the Horse® ' much to the delight of the audience. Hercules will also live on the childrens books that l'm writing.
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The Mini Marvels® and 'The Magic of the Horse® are the registered trademarks of Tanya Larrigan
For full details on what the M.M. team and l are doing including all the diary dates and stop press news, please go to my business site Larrigan Equestrian Promotions www.tanyalarrigan.com All text and images are copyright THE MINI MARVELS® 2007 /20015 and may not be copied or reproduced without permission.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]