Toy entrepreneur
Horse & Hound|July 22, 2021
Karen Clithero has revolutionised the soft toy market, turning her Crafty Ponies into widely acclaimed creative play products, with some very famous fans
- Jennifer Donald
Toy entrepreneur

The Crafty Ponies business started 10 years ago as a craft kit, however people didn’t want to sew it up and kept asking me for a finished product. I couldn’t find a manufacturer in England, so my husband and I got on a plane to China – what an adventure!

Five years ago we brought out a pony, two rug sets plus a saddle and bridle. They were designed to help children learn about how tack and other pony equipment works and to role-play with products that look and perform just like the real thing.

The idea for the business formed 30 years ago. I found myself on my own with four children under five, it was coming up to Christmas and I was a bit upset at how I could give them presents. I was a self-employed T-shirt printer and commercial artist, so I had plenty of fabric ink and I had the idea to make the children a fabric pony each.

この蚘事は Horse & Hound の July 22, 2021 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

この蚘事は Horse & Hound の July 22, 2021 版に掲茉されおいたす。

7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トラむアルを開始しお、䜕千もの厳遞されたプレミアム ストヌリヌ、9,000 以䞊の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしおください。

HORSE & HOUNDのその他の蚘事すべお衚瀺
Gemirande provides 24-carat magic
Horse & Hound

Gemirande provides 24-carat magic

Venetia Williams sparkles again in the December Gold Cup and jockey brothers dead-heat

time-read
1 min  |
December 19, 2024
‘Happy hunting, everyone'
Horse & Hound

‘Happy hunting, everyone'

“The season for talks, dinners and parties has finally arrived for Tessa Waugh, whose distress about the snags of middle age fades away with some rousing festive spirits

time-read
2 分  |
December 19, 2024
'Monaco deserved this victory
Horse & Hound

'Monaco deserved this victory

Seemingly destined always to play the bridesmaid’s role, Harrie Smolders’ great partner Monaco finally tops an incidentpacked Rolex grand prix

time-read
4 分  |
December 19, 2024
'It had to end sometime'
Horse & Hound

'It had to end sometime'

The closure of beloved Hampshire saddlery Calcutt Sons is a loss to the hunting and wider equestrian worlds, as Octavia Pollock reports

time-read
6 分  |
December 19, 2024
'You couldn't want for more
Horse & Hound

'You couldn't want for more

The Ludlow's peaceful country makes for a day in \"hunting paradise\"

time-read
7 分  |
December 19, 2024
The greatest gift of all
Horse & Hound

The greatest gift of all

Christmas is fast approaching and while we all like a bit of tinsel, the festive season is also a perfect time for giving to a horse charity. Niki Hinman finds out some of the options

time-read
7 分  |
December 19, 2024
Winter him well
Horse & Hound

Winter him well

A horse's winter routine can differ dramatically from his summer structure but what’s the knock-on effect? Ellie Hughes asks vets how to optimise routine management for the season

time-read
4 分  |
December 19, 2024
Neat feet
Horse & Hound

Neat feet

Excellent hoof care is a year-round concern but the winter months present their own problems. Richard Stephenson MRCVS explains the seasonal challenges afoot and how to stay one step ahead

time-read
5 分  |
December 19, 2024
In bygone days
Horse & Hound

In bygone days

Modern vets have much scientific knowledge behind them, but what about their forebears? Kieran O’Brien MRCVS opens up the world of Victorian vets in London

time-read
6 分  |
December 19, 2024
'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'
Horse & Hound

'When I joined the Pony Club it was just two boys and 48 girls'

Pepsi Kohler on being delightfully outnumbered by girls in the Pony Club, a leg-up from a royal and the H&H advert that changed his life

time-read
4 分  |
December 19, 2024