MUCH of Monmouth is in mourning this week after the death of one of its most-loved residents.

Jenny MacGregor MBE passed away aged 85 last Monday, (6th November) peacefully at home surrounded by family.

The dedicated horsewoman devoted her life to her mantra that ‘the horses come first,’ after she set up the Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP) alongside her late husband Alasdair MacGregor more than 40 years ago.

Her busy life was one lived to the fullest, admired by others, and threatened occasionally by unsavoury characters whose animals she was intent on rescuing.

The brave ‘lioness’ of welfare worked tirelessly at her beloved SWHP where she saved the lives of thousands of horses and ponies, whose guardian angel snubbed belligerent owners, unhelpful welfare officers, and occasionally the law, to give them the second chance they desperately needed.

The horses and ponies rescued by Jenny and Alasdair are now loaned out to homes across the country, as they excel in a range of new sports and disciplines with happy young riders and families.

Through her work Jenny went on to be awarded an MBE for services to animal welfare, The British Veterinary Association Award for welfare, The British Horse Society Welfare award, a Horse and Hound award for welfare, and more.

Never content with taking the easy route, Jenny and her devoted team at SWHP were often spotted hitching the horse ambulance in the depths of night to attend emergencies, spending sleepless months hand-rearing foals, and even feeding the hundreds of starving ponies on common land across south Wales.

Fearless Jenny went to the source of the problem, as she tackled legislation on microchipping, the European meat industry, and even delivered a petition on fly-grazing to the Welsh Assembly Senedd – complete with pony entourage – which became part of 2015 welfare legislation.

As well as professional acclaim, an outpouring of sadness has followed the news of her death on social media, from friends and supporters of the charity alike. A post on the charity’s Facebook page has seen more than 200 comments from people across the equestrian and welfare worlds.

Those who knew her well knew her kindness didn’t stop at the stable block; from sheep and pigs, to the duck that lived in the bath. Granddaughter Tatiana Raikes recalled: “Every house of theirs contained a menagerie of rescued animals. There was always something asleep in front of the Aga, it was so exciting coming visit.”

Horse rescues often turned into chicken, cat and even dog rescues, when Jenny returned once in recent years with two huge, arthritic English mastiff dogs, which despite claims that they would make good guard dogs, proceeded to sleep, undisturbed, for several years in the porch of her home.

“She was totally fearless and determined when rescuing, every outing contained a good dose of peril and adventure with much hilarity,” continued Tatiana.

People too found their sanctuary with the MacGregors, as they took in wayward children and teenagers over the years.

Devoted to horses and their work, Jenny founded both Chepstow and Monmouth horse trials, where she continued to be involved as president of both up until her death.

A private family funeral will be held for Jenny this week; attendance is asked by invitation only. The family asks for no flowers, but for any donations to go to the charity.

An open memorial event will be held in March next year.

A spokesperson for SWHP added: “Whilst we are all bereft at our irreplaceable loss, we continue as a united SWHP family, with Jenny’s ethos that ‘the horses come first.’

“Together they were a driving force in welfare and it was to Jenny’s great credit that she continued to run the charity after Alasdair’s death some six years ago. She was widely acclaimed for her total dedication to horses and ponies, they really were her life.

“Jenny would have wanted to reassure you all that the future of the SWHP, its team and all of the many horses and ponies in its care has been secured and its work will continue as usual.”