The visit was to mark the upcoming War Horse gala night in support of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust at Bord Gais Theatre, Dublin.

Snoopy was part of a trio of starved ponies taken in from a patch of grass in north Dublin by the Irish Horse Welfare Trust. He has since been adopted from the Trust, along with hundreds of other needy animals, to become a much-loved family pony. Moscow Flyer, twice winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase, was accompanied by Sinead Hyland of the Irish National Stud where Moscow Flyer is now retired and remains a popular attraction for visitors. He is also a mascot for the IHWT’s work in re-training racehorses.

RTE broadcaster Philip Boucher-Hayes, pictured with Snoopy, said he had seen first-hand what the IHWT was doing to improve knowledge of horse welfare in disadvantaged communities like Moyross in Limerick and Finglas in Dublin.

“For an animal like Snoopy to be here in the National Stud shows that the welfare of all types of equines is increasingly important throughout the horse industry,” he said.

The Irish National Stud has four retired National Hunt stars resident in its paddocks at Tully in Kildare; Vintage Crop, Beef or Salmon, Kicking King and Moscow Flyer.

Together with Land Rover Ireland, the Irish National Stud is supporting the War Horse benefit night in aid of the charity on April 2nd.

As well as the show itself, the gala evening will also feature some of Team Ireland Equestrian’s international, including show jumper Cian O’Connor and eventer Joseph O’Connor, at a pre-show reception.

They will be participating in a question and answer session hosted by broadcaster and IHWT patron Robert Hall.

Gala tickets, costing €100 plus booking fee, offer premier seats, a pre-show reception and the chance to meet the cast after the show.

For details, go to ihwt.ie or call Elish on 087-2988332 or Kate on 087-6043865.