Horse duo to star at new Bishop Auckland attraction

Kynren – The Storied Lands will showcase miniature pony Phantasma and towering Shire horse Marshall Bugsy.

The major live-action park is set to open on July 18.

Standing at 18 hands and still growing, Bugsy, one of fewer than 200 grey Shires believed to remain worldwide, dwarfs his 32-inch stablemate, Phantasma.

The 32-inch miniature pony Phantasma, with Lucy Watson (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

The pair are among the four-legged stars of the attraction.

Both horses are being trained by Kynren yard manager David Turner Richardson and deputy yard manager Lucy Watson, who have been with the attraction since its launch in 2016.

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Bugsy, one of fewer than 200 grey Shires believed to remain worldwide (Image: North News & Pictures Ltd)

The duo is heavily involved in training the park’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.

Bugsy is currently being trained to join the performance team, while Phantasma is already a firm favourite with the team thanks to his outsized personality.