Native breeds
The native, or Mountain and Moorland (M&M) breeds of Great Britain form a group of several breeds of ponies. Many of these are derived from semi-feral ponies kept on moorland or heathland, and some of them still live in this way.
M&M’s are one of the most popular mounts of choice today and the respective classes are usually the biggest on the show field.
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Fell pony leaps to working hunter pony victory to give jockey first Windsor title *H&H Plus*
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Could your native pony take on the 12-fence track at the Royal Windsor Horse Show? H&H walks the course... *H&H Plus*
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Mares lead Horse & Hound M&M in-hand championship *H&H Plus*
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H&H’s guide to M&M working hunter pony classes: how to ride each breed and what the judges are looking for
Read this expert insight to help you make the most out of your competition season and avoid common mistakes
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6 questions owners of native ponies might have been asked
Always ask what breed a native is, never make an uninformed guess...
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Living the good life: how turning native ponies away has proven beneficial *H&H Plus*
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Finding the ideal native: which breed is perfect for you? *H&H Plus*
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H&H’s guide to showing a small breed mountain and moorland pony
The following judges’ tips will ensure you make an instant impact and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes
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At home with native pony breeders Julian Walters and David Hodge
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‘I knew he was going to be a star’: Farewell to one of the most prolific Connemaras of all time
Bunowen Castle Ri was supreme at Olympia in both 2005 and 2007 and was also champion at HOYS.
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New in-hand championships to promote British breeds
Will you be looking to enter?
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Who’s on washing duties? Previous Olympia champion revels in mud during his pre-season holiday
“His incredible temperament makes it easy for him to switch from covering stallion to show pony...”
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Dartmoors from Australia, New Zealand and US compete with British-bred ponies in online ‘extravaganza’
“The camaraderie among everyone involved really warmed us over this bleak time and certainly gave us a sense of achievement that we had brought Dartmoor pony enthusiasts together when we couldn't be together physically”
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‘It just made me more hungry for the win’ — show producer Katy Marriott-Payne on setting two native breed records
“I always say that it takes three goes at Olympia before you even have any idea of how to do it...”
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6 things owners of native ponies can relate to during winter
Native owners keep on top of those wild locks (it can become an obsession)...
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‘All I wanted to do was go to shows every day for the rest of my life’ — Show producer Sam Roberts on her journey to the top
Sam burst onto the show scene aged 12 when she won the mountain and moorland (M&M) supreme at Olympia in 1998 riding the Welsh section B gelding Harwell Wizard
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6 reasons why Connemara ponies are simply the best
Why do you think Connemaras are a step above the rest?
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Tributes paid to legendary Dales stallion put down after field accident
Bruce and his sire Village Defender are the only two Dales ponies to have ever qualifed for the Cuddy in-hand final...
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#TBT: The M&Ms that made it to Olympia — 23 winning natives from the 2019 BSPS Heritage championship show...
The rain poured but quality definitely shone through...