Monty Roberts in India with the Brooke. (Photo Courtesy of www.BrookeUSA.org)
The man who listens to horses – Monty Roberts –
named Brooke Global Ambassador
LEXINGTON, KY – March 27, 2015 – Internationally renowned ‘horse whisperer’ Monty Roberts has become Global Ambassador for the Brooke, the world’s largest international equine welfare charity. He joins double Olympic gold medalist Charlotte Dujardin as the organization’s newest ambassadors.
For more than 80 years the Brooke has been dedicated to improving the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the families they support in the developing world. Monty has also made it his lifelong mission to make the world a better place for horses and people. This aligned mission was the impetus for the Brooke inviting Monty on a week-long tour of some of its work in India late last year. The conditions were harsh and Monty’s emotional journey was captured in a short film, which is being released today alongside the announcement of his role as Global Ambassador.
“The visit to India really opened my eyes to the welfare problems that exist among working equines. At times it was unbearable and the suffering I witnessed, especially at the equine fair, will stay with me forever. But, on the plus side, I also saw the wonderful work that the Brooke is doing to improve the welfare of these animals. There is a lot of work to do, and I am honored to help the Brooke in whatever way I can,” said Monty.
During his time in India, Monty met local community groups across Uttar Pradesh, who talked about the improvements they have made since the Brooke came along, and the positive impact these are having on their animals.
At the Beri equine fair, he saw thousands of animals as they waited in line to be bought or sold, in temperatures soaring to 104 degrees. They suffered from wounds and heat stress, tightly hobbled without room to move – a sight which reduced Monty and the Brooke team to tears.
Petra Ingram, Chief Executive of the Brooke, accompanied Monty on the trip to India.
“Parts of the tour were extremely difficult as you’ll see in the short film. We delighted together in seeing the progress the Brooke has made, and we cried together when we saw the sad reality of life for some working equines. It was an emotional trip but what really stood out to me was how resolute Monty was in wanting to make a positive difference and how mindful he was of the unique challenges faced by people living in poverty.
“He engaged with animal owners with a great deal of respect, offering practical advice in handling and simple suggestions on how to make tack more comfortable. He understood the importance of the Brooke’s work and we knew he would be a brilliant Global Ambassador. We are delighted that he has accepted the invitation, and we look forward to working together for the benefit of working horses, donkeys and mules the world over,” she said.
The announcement comes a week after the Brooke officially christened its new American headquarters, Brooke USA, at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington. A celebration to launch Brooke USA was held in Kentucky on March 20 in the presence of the Brooke’s President HRH The Duchess of Cornwall at a private reception for donors.
The Brooke is currently working in 11 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, and in the last year it reached 1.5 million working horses, donkeys and mules, benefiting several million of the world’s poorest people. Brooke USA is a 501(c)(3) charity and exists solely to support the overseas work of the Brooke.
For more information and high-res photos, please contact Cindy Rullman in the U.S.: 
859-296-0037, Cindy.Rullman@BrookeUSA.org; Tatjana Trposka in the UK: Tatjana.Trposka@thebrooke.org; or Jamie Whear in the UK: Jamie.Whear@thebrooke.org . For a full biography of Monty Roberts, please visit his website: www.montyroberts.com.
