CUSTOMERS were surprised to see a Shetland pony on the forecourt of the Waitrose store in Eastbourne.

Sonny, a 14-year-old Shetland cross, was there to receive a cheque for £300 on behalf of Riding for the Disabled.

The money came from the store’s Community Matters scheme and Sonny was happy to chomp on carrots and pose for selfies with the crowd.

He was accompanied by RDA’s course director Sacha Cameron-Clarke and groom Joe Roud who is mildly autistic but has been winning awards for equestrian events since he was 11.

Joe said: “I love riding, it’s my thing. It’s what I enjoy most.”

Riding for the Disabled encourages adults, children and home-schooled children with a variety of disabilities to engage with horses and gain confidence from riding and working with them.