The future of the Dartmoor hill pony has been secured – and the voices of more than 220,000 people heard – as the Government has agreed new protections for them.

Natural England announced yesterday (15 July) that the ponies will be removed from stocking rate calculations in new agreements with commoners, which means owners will no longer have to choose between ponies and sheep or cattle.

“This is wonderful news for Dartmoor’s ponies and for everyone who loves the moor,” said Dartmoor Hill Pony Association chair Charlotte Faulkner.

“For months, pony keepers, commoners and supporters have been warning that future grazing agreements could unintentionally put these precious herds at risk. Today, the Government has listened.”

H&H reported that campaigners feared the most likely outcome of the new contracts, in which cattle and ponies were both included in stocking density limits, would be culls, and that up to 90% of the remaining 1,000 ponies on the moor would be lost.

Hundreds of thousands of people backed those campaigning for the ponies’ future, and politicians from across the spectrum spoke out against the plans.

The announcement yesterday said the new measures would protect the ponies and support those who keep them on the moor.

“These heritage rare breeds and semi-wild hill ponies are a much-cherished part of Dartmoor’s landscape and cultural heritage,” a Defra and Natural England spokesperson said. “They also play an important role in conserving protected environmental sites on the moor – and the Government is committed to ensuring their numbers do not fall below current levels.

“From today, Dartmoor ponies will be removed from stocking rate calculations in new Environmental Management agreements, so that farmers do not face a choice between keeping ponies and maintaining sheep or cattle. This implements recommendation 27 of the 2023 Fursdon review, an independent review of protected site management on Dartmoor. Pony numbers will also be monitored across the moor to ensure they remain stable.

“A new dedicated pony supplement will be introduced into farming schemes to remove any financial incentive to reduce pony populations. In addition, the Government has asked the Dartmoor Land Use Management Group to develop a whole-moor grazing framework ensuring all interests are considered together.”

The Dartmoor Hill Pony Association said the announcement is a “landmark moment for Dartmoor’s ponies, its commoners, biodiversity and cultural heritage”.

Political clout

Ms Faulkner thanked Defra minister Emma Reynolds for putting her political clout behind the campaign.

“We would like to thank the secretary of state for listening to over 220,000 people who care about the future of the semi-wild Dartmoor hill pony herds,” she said.

“This will support Dartmoor’s biodiversity, culture and tourism, keeping Dartmoor as we know and love it for generations to come.

“This announcement means Dartmoor’s ponies are being recognised for what they are: rare, native, semi-wild herds that are part of Dartmoor’s history, its biodiversity and its future.

“Removing ponies from stocking rate calculations is exactly the assurance we have been asking for. It means commoners should no longer be placed in the impossible position of having to choose between keeping ponies on the moor and maintaining viable farm businesses.

“We are hugely grateful to the secretary of state, Defra, Natural England, Steve Race MP and everyone who has helped bring this issue to national attention.

“Most of all, we want to thank the more than 220,000 people who stood up for Dartmoor’s ponies. Their voices have made a real difference.

“This is a day to celebrate. Dartmoor’s hill ponies belong on Dartmoor, and today’s announcement is a major step towards securing their future where they belong: on the moor.”

Working together for the Dartmoor hill ponies’ future

The association said it looks forward to working with all the other stakeholders to ensure the new arrangement delivers on all fronts.

Secretary Joss Hibbs added: “This is a brilliant result, but it is also the beginning of the next chapter. We now want to work constructively with everyone involved to make sure these protections are delivered on the ground.

“Today has shown what can happen when commoners, campaigners, politicians and the public come together for Dartmoor. It is a victory for the ponies, but also for the moor itself.”

Natural England chief executive Marian Spain added: “Natural England has always been clear that Dartmoor’s ponies play a central role in shaping the landscape and supporting nature, and we want to see them continue to do so.

“The Government policy changes announced today will enable us to work with farmers to secure the agreements we need to recover nature on Dartmoor. We will continue to work with Dartmoor Land Use Management Group and other local groups on the new framework to ensure a healthy, sustainable future for Dartmoor.”

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The prime minister, Defra and Natural England insist they will not support a cull of Dartmoor hill ponies – but campaigners say they are not safe until new contracts are confirmed in writing.

H&H reported that the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony feared up to 90% of the 1,000 ponies remaining on the moors may have to be culled as a result of new Government stocking density contracts.

The story has since attracted national attention and the leaders of the Conservatives, Lib Dems and Reform have for once united to condemn any attempt at culling.

Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesperson said: “Let me be very clear on this: this Government will not allow a cull of Dartmoor ponies and we don’t manage pony populations by culling in this country.

“Dartmoor ponies are part of the cultural landscape of Dartmoor and play a vital role in the health of its moorland habitats.”

H&H contacted Defra today (17 June) for its latest position and a Defra spokesperson said: “Dartmoor ponies are an important part of Dartmoor’s heritage and also key to supporting the habitats of Dartmoor. Natural England is not recommending a cull and this Government wouldn’t support one.”

The Friends charity has explained, as reported by H&H, that as the stocking densities in the new contracts are lower, and that they refer to “ponies and/or cattle”, going against the recommendation of a Government-commissioned review, the most likely outcome is a cull.

Government: no Dartmoor pony cull

Natural England southwest area director David Slater said: “The notion that Natural England is advocating a cull is simply untrue. Dartmoor’s unique habitats are in a poor state and grazing by ponies is vital for their recovery.

“Our role is to advise farmers who wish to enter the publicly funded schemes available for grazing regimes. These schemes have been designed by Government to contribute to nature recovery – some of these require less grazing and some more dependent on local conditions but ponies are and always will be part of that mix.

“We work closely with the Dartmoor community to find a way forward that protects livelihoods and the special character of Dartmoor, including its ponies.”

But a spokesperson for the Friends told H&H today that although the charity is glad to hear of the cross-party agreement and Government assurances, it awaits more information.

“We thank Luke Pollard MP and Steve Race MP, who have championed the future of these ponies consistently, not only as the threat came to a head but throughout,” the spokesperson said. “Their commitment has been steady and persistent, and it has mattered.

“We now look to the Government for detail on the direction it will give Natural England to remedy the current situation, and for clarity on what will change in practice.

“We ask what specific changes will be made to Natural England’s approach to guarantee that the assurances given by MPs and ministers are delivered in full. How will the endangered, semi-wild Dartmoor hill pony population be protected on Dartmoor’s commons, in perpetuity?”

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Up to 90% of the remaining ponies on Dartmoor could be lost, campaigners fear, as limits imposed by new Government contracts could contribute to hill ponies’ extinction – and further damage biodiversity.

Under contracts drawn up by Natural England (NE), farmers are paid a small amount if they graze animals on the moors. But the proposed new grazing density figures include “cattle and/or ponies”, and the limits have decreased. Until now, many parts of Dartmoor had been allowed to exclude the hill ponies from the quotas, and if commoners exceed the limits, they lose their livelihoods.

“The contracts – a shift away from higher level stewardship to countryside stewardship agri-environment schemes – could come into force as early as the end of this year, meaning that the majority of ponies rounded up in the annual ‘drifts’ in October would not be returned to the moor, and the most likely outcome is a cull,” a spokesperson for the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony charity said.

The Government commissioned an independent review of the “protected site management” of Dartmoor, which made recommendations for preserving the landscape.

The report states: “Dartmoor’s pony population is invaluable for conservation grazing and genetically important. We have seen industry estimates of a target population of between 1,000 and 2,500 head. Ponies and cattle should not be linked for the calculation of stocking rates and NE should not take actions likely to result in a reduction in their numbers.”

A petition has been set up against the plans

The Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony said that 25 years ago, there were some 6,000 ponies on the moor; there are fewer than 1,000 today, “as a result of historical policy changes”. The breed was classed as endangered by the United Nations and included on Defra’s “native at risk” list in 2023.

An NE spokesperson told H&H that “in line with the review”, the Government is “working with partners, including the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, to help ensure that we maintain numbers of semi-wild ponies on the moor for generations to come”.

But a spokesperson for the friends charity told H&H these conversations have not taken place.

Dartmoor hill pony culls feared

“The response from NE has nothing to say they won’t reduce pony numbers,” she said. “The inevitable outcome we can see is that pony numbers will have to be reduced by at least 60% which would be catastrophic for the population, and up to 90% as a worst-case scenario. That essentially wipes out the population.

“Genetically, losing even one is a tragedy. They’ve already dwindled them thanks to management policies, to 1,000 ponies. We’re asking for those ponies to remain on the moor, and a proper review to figure out what the stocking numbers should be.That 1,000 is the absolute minimum to retain the genetic integrity of that population; the value to the whole equine gene pool is huge and it would be tragic to lose them.”

A concern on Dartmoor is the prevalence of molinia; an invasive and dominant species of grass that, research has shown, the hill ponies eat. The review said controlling molinia should be the second-highest priority for the area’s future, so campaigners are concerned that reducing numbers of ponies will also have a negative effect on the environment.

“Under the previous schemes, which reduced grazing density, the molinia took over due to undergrazing,” the charity spokesperson said. “What they’re now proposing is a further reduction in all livestock. We’re worried about ponies specifically, but it applies to cows and sheep too. Arguably none of those grazers should be reduced on Dartmoor, because the molinia is already taking over, and we know ponies help control this invasive species that crowds out everything else.

“It doesn’t make sense; they’re flying in the face of what the evidence shows them.”

New contracts

She added that the new contracts could be brought in by the end of this year, sooner than had been thought.

“There are so many reasons the ponies should be kept there,” she said. “They’ve shaped the moorland ecology, they help retain biodiversity, they allow clear spaces that allow invertebrate and plant species to come through. They work in harmony with the moor, not against it.”

James Wright, an Exmoor cattle and sheep farmer who is also policy director for the Conservative Rural Forum, is backing opposition to the new quotas.

He told H&H he is concerned for the Dartmoor hill ponies but also the Exmoors, if new contracts are rolled out more widely.

“What we need is positive signals from Defra to show that they support the role of our semi-feral heritage breeds,” he said. “Defra seems to be unable to do the best for nature, farmer and pony. It’s a lose-lose.”

The NE spokesperson added: “Impact on pony populations will be continually monitored for any adverse effects and mitigations will be explored to ensure no further reduction in population numbers.”

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Want to buy a top-class Dartmoor pony to compete, or one simply to become your family’s best friend? Then these top tips from a breeder will help guide you every step of the way.

What is a Dartmoor pony?

The Dartmoor pony is the British native breed that originated from the county of Devon. The ponies have been recorded living on the moors of Dartmoor since the middle ages, meaning they have developed to be hardy and resilient.

The Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) represents the pedigree Dartmoor pony and they are known as “the guardian’s of the breed”. In addition to registered Dartmoor ponies, there are many ponies living out on Dartmoor of all sizes and colours, most of unknown breeding. These are known as Dartmoor Hill Ponies.

When it comes to pure-bred Dartmoor ponies, the DPS provides the following breed standard:

Colour: A certain amount of white is acceptable (for example a small sock to fetlock, small star or snip), but excessive white markings (such as a white blaze, stripe and any stockings) are to be discouraged.

Neck and head: The head is small and bloodlike, reasonably short from eye to muzzle and without much tapering to the nose. The ears are small and alert and the eyes fairly large giving the pony a kindly interested expression. It should be well set on a good neck of medium length. The throat and jaws should be fine and showing no signs of coarseness or throatiness. Stallions to have a moderate crest.

Shoulders: Good shoulders are most important. They should be well laid back and sloping, but not too fine at the withers.

Body: Of medium length and strong, well ribbed up with a good depth of girth giving plenty of heart room.

Loin and hindquarters: Strong and well covered with muscle. The hind quarters should be of medium length and neither level nor steeply sloping. The tail is well set up.

Limbs: The forelegs should not be tied in at the knee. The forearm should be muscular and relatively long and the knee fairly large and flat at the front. The cannons should be short with ample good, flat bone. The pasterns should be sloping but not too long. The feet should be hard and well shaped. The hocks should be well let down with plenty of length from hip to hock, clean cut and with plenty of bone below the hock. They should have a strong second thigh. They should not be sickled or cow-hocked.

Movement: Low and straight coming from the shoulder with good hock action but without exaggeration.

Dartmoors are not to exceed 12.2hh (127cm).

They can be bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut, or roan in colour. Piebalds, skewbalds and spotted are not allowed.

The DPS also states that: “The Dartmoor is a very good looking riding pony, sturdily built yet with quality, like a scaled down middleweight hunter. The mane and tail should be full and flowing. The general impression given by a Dartmoor is of a well made, quality pony with ample bone which stands over plenty of ground.”

The Dartmoor Pony Society has a grading system for stallions. Stallions become Premium or Super Premium through the progeny they have sired winning at the society’s star shows.

An increasing amount of part-breds are seen on the circuit and in other disciplines, too, with the Dartmoor adding hardiness, bone, substance and pony characteristics to other breeds.

What should I look for in an Dartmoor pony?

Joyce and Jacky Newbery run the Newoak Dartmoor Stud in Devon. They have bred ponies that have won all over the country, including at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), the Royal International (RIHS) and the Dartmoor pony breed show.

“Conformation is conformation, irrespective of what type or breed of pony you are looking at,” Jacky begins. “A Dartmoor should be a scaled down middleweight hunter in many ways with good bone, nice short cannons, good feet and a pretty pony head with small ears. Bone is exceptionally important; I would not buy a pony with weak bone.

“Ultimately, we’re looking for a quality pony for the riddens; whether we’re buying a pony or aiming to breed one, it needs to have a job. They must possess a good shoulder where the saddle can clearly sit. Movement wise, a pony should cover the ground and not daisy-cut like a show pony, while also following through with the hocks.

“Also, we’re looking for a pony that has a good temperament.”

What can I do with a Dartmoor pony?

Dartmoor ponies are seen in multiple disciplines and they are very popular show animals, being ridden by small adults and children in the show ring.

They compete and are successful in open, junior, lead rein and first ridden mountain and moorland (M&M) classes and they also feature in working hunter pony classes.

The Dartmoor has its own final at HOYS and otherwise they contend small breeds classes. Dartmoors make good family ponies as they can be shown but can also stand up to other activities such as Pony Club, hunting and jumping.

They are fairly low maintenance to keep, requiring little intervention to live happy and healthy lives, however as with most smaller ponies, buyers should be aware that laminitis can be a risk.

Where should I buy a Dartmoor pony from?

“A lot of buyers come to us as breeders looking for something specific,” says Jacky. “We have a demand for Dartmoors of all ages, from foals to fully grown ponies ready to start their ridden careers.

“While the pages of Horse & Hound and online sales sites can be useful, a lot of good ponies are sold via word of mouth.”

How much should I expect to pay for a Dartmoor?

“A reputable stud with a good track record can expect higher prices for their stock,” says Jacky. “They could sell a foal from around £800 up to £1500. A good pony aged four years old or over and ready to back could be several thousands.

“Ridden prices can vary; I’ve seen ponies go for £5,000, and others go for £20,000 depending on their records and results. Dartmoors can be for anyone, they can easily carry a small adult but they make fantastic children’s ponies if they’ve been educated properly and have been given the best start in life. This is the reason that we don’t usually sell ponies until they are three or four years old.”

What about Dartmoor Hill Ponies?

Dartmoor Hill Ponies or Heritage Ponies cannot be shown in affiliated native ridden or in-hand classes, but this does not mean they don’t have jobs, as Jacky explains: “They are still very versatile ponies, just as much as their pure-bred counterparts. We have several Heritage Dartmoor Ponies in our riding school and they are athletic and intelligent animals who can do many things.”

I’ve agreed to buy a Dartmoor, now what?

It is time to consider a pre-purchase vetting, something that is strongly recommended. If the pony is for a child, perhaps asking for a trial period would be sensible, but not all sellers will agree to this.

It’s important to let the vet know prior to the vetting what you intend to use the pony for so they can assess it accordingly. If you tell the vet that you want the pony for the show ring, they should hopefully inform you of any blemishes or conformational faults which could impact its future career, even if they don’t impact its soundness or performance.

“We are always open to vettings, though we don’t tend to get a lot of people requesting them,” says Jacky. “It’s a personal choice and depends on how much you are paying for a pony, and if you need to obtain one for insurance.”

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A home-produced gelding who has taken his 12-year-old jockey up the ranks in the show ring topped the 2024 HOYS Dartmoor pony of the year final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Samantha Walker’s mannerly nine-year-old Feldons Red Kite, known at home as Tonto, and Evie Walker took to the centre line on what was their debut in an open final at the NEC.

Bred by Sue Williams by Moortown Crusader out of Shilstone Rocks Meadow Sweet, Tonto is also through to the M&M junior ridden final later in the week.

This marked Evie’s first-ever HOYS win, though her sister, Lilly, has reigned here before on her family’s Welsh section B pony Melau Aramis. The sisters have landed six HOYS tickets between them this season.

Tonto joined the Walker Family five years ago.

“We’ve done lots of things together, even arena eventing,” said Evie. “He was the first pony to ever take me to HOYS, too, in first-ridden. He’s a funny pony, I love him to bits.”

Samantha said: “The girls are very dedicated and work very hard with their ponies. Evie is still very young to be in this class but Tonto is a diamond; you could put your granny on him. He’s literally done everything for her, initially taking her into first-riddens off the lead-rein.”

The family will be kept busy this week as they have three ponies to compete.

“We’ve had a really great year as a family,” Samantha added.

Katy Marriott-Payne took second in the 2024 HOYS Dartmoor final aboard Felicity Thompson’s home-bred Salcombe Frowder Cove, while Sam Roberts finished third with Newoak Bobby James, owned and bred by Joyce Newbery.

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Pure-bred and part-bred Dartmoor pony breeders have celebrated 20 ponies bearing their prefix qualifying for the 2024 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS). Joyce and Jacky Newbery’s Newoak Stud have achieved this record total for the first time since they started breeding in 1990.

The Exeter-based stud has bred multiple Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), RIHS and county show winners and champions over the years. Although they are best known for their pure-bred Dartmoor ponies, many part-bred Dartmoors bred under the Newoak prefix have also been shown at top level.

Out of the 20 Newoak ponies qualified for the RIHS, 15 of these are pure-bred Dartmoors. They include open ridden small breeds contenders Newoak Bobby James, Newoak Rhythm And Blues, Newoak St Paul, and Newoak Jazmine, who is also an M&M lead rein finalist. Joining in the lead rein final is Newoak Ruby Tuesday, Newoak Valerie and Newoak Bamalam, also a junior M&M small breeds finalist. Newoak Rockman has qualified for M&M lead rein and first ridden finals. Newoak Blizzard is heading to the show in the M&M first ridden and junior small breeds classes. Newoak The Governor is booked in for both open and Pretty Polly first ridden finals. Newoak Quick Silver, Newoak Wizard and Newoak Midnight Moon will appear in the Pretty Polly M&M lead rein final. Newoak Nancy Aster and Newoak Copper Beach will battle it out in the lead rein of hunter type final.

The part-breds include lead-rein hunter type finalists Newoak Midnight Blue, a former winner of the class, and Newoak Hot Gossip. Newoak Pumpkin Spice will contend the open 122cm show hunter pony final, and Newoak Onyx will vie for the 133cm title.

One coloured pony from the Newoak Stud, Newoak Roc Bay, will also take to the stage in the native,cob and traditional pony final.

Alongside the home-breds, ponies previously owned by the Newoak Stud will also be competing at Hickstead. These include Wistmans Passing Glance, Hisley Caliph and Merribridge Sandstorm.

In the 1990s, the stud bred show ponies and Dartmoors.

“We weren’t overly happy with the show pony breeding, but we had beautiful show pony mares, so we decided to put a Dartmoor stallion on them and we produced show hunters,” said Jacky. “Our stallions all have amazing temperaments and each of our youngsters is well handled, though I do think the Dartmoor has taken the edge out of the show pony a bit, so they’re all usually good children’s ponies.”

The Newoak team now comprises Joyce and her daughter Jacky as well as Jacky’s husband Paul Hattrick. They have a team of hard-working staff who split their time between the stud, the riding school and the livery yard, with Nicola Beckett, Sarah Cann and Lewis Mann key individuals within the breeding operation.

“We are so proud of the ponies and their connections,” said Jacky. “While we are so delighted with this achievement, we have always bred ponies that can do multiple jobs, not just showing. While we love to show, we want to breed animals that can do other things if they don’t make the grade. We have ponies competing at the highest levels in showing, but we also have ponies at grassroots level and some even work in our riding school.”

The Newoak Stud aims to breed between 15 and 20 foals per year and each pony is kept at home until it is three or four years old.

“We like to make sure they’re educated and are mentally ready to go to a new home,” said Jacky.

“We’ve put a lot into our ponies, as every breeder does,” Jacky added. “So we get a lot of joy from watching them in their new homes.”

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Police are on the hunt for two men who have reportedly been trying to steal foals and “bothering ponies” on and near Dartmoor in the past week.

Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police has asked the public to remain vigilant, after a series of reports of attempted theft and more.

“In one incident on Tuesday 21 May, two men were seen acting suspiciously around the ponies at Pork Hill near Tavistock,” a spokesperson for the force said.

“They appeared to be trying to separate the foals and managed to grab one young animal, although it escaped. They quickly left after being challenged by a member of the public.”

The spokesperson said it is believed the men are travelling in a black or grey van with Irish numberplates.

“Further reports have been received this week of suspicious men bothering ponies and visiting farms and homes in the Tavistock and Princetown areas trying to buy the animals,” she added.

Officers are appealing for information and asking the public to report any further suspicious incidents to them.

Neighbourhood team leader Sergeant Tom Ottley said: “I ask that the public remain vigilant to any behaviour out of the ordinary around livestock and report any concerns to police on 999 if you believe a crime is ongoing.”

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact police, either online or by telephone on 101, log number 410 of 21 May.

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The Dartmoor pony Pumphill Fandango (Roy) is set to compete in his 18th Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) final next month.

Roy is owned by Zara Johnstone-Evans and her 13-year-old son, Toby. This season the gelding is heading to Birmingham in both the junior small breeds and open Dartmoor finals.

Zara bought Roy just over eight years ago and he has been home-produced for the duration of his career.

“He’s our pony of a lifetime,” says Zara, who rode Roy to win his first-ever HOYS pass in 2015 as an open pony.

In 2016, Roy provided Toby with his first HOYS ticket in lead rein ranks. That same year he also qualified as a junior pony with Charlotte Thompson and as an open with Zara.

“He was also mini M&M champion at Royal Windsor that year, too,” says Zara, who runs her own cleaning business. “He has taken Toby from a tiny lead rein jockey to competing in open classes against the adults.”

Pumphill Fandango: HOYS and RIHS winner

In 2017, Roy qualified for the same finals once again and Zara won the open small breeds class at the Royal International with him. The following year, Roy added another string to his bow and qualified for HOYS as a first ridden with Maisie Chester, the pair winning the class at the final.

“Maisie was having a tricky time with her own pony so I said she could ride Roy for the 2018 season, and they qualified for HOYS first time out,” Zara recalls.

Toby has since taken Roy’s reins as a first ridden, as a junior ride and as an open pony.

“When we bought Roy, Toby was just four years old, and now he’s 13,” Zara says. “He’s never been shown that much — it’s expensive trekking up and down the country — but he’s always won his tickets easily. Toby is very animal orientated and he loves his ponies. He loves going to shows, too, and this year he was so determined to get his first ride in the opens so he can stay at HOYS for the whole week!

“I have pretty much retired from riding in the ring, as in 2021 I broke my leg and I now find it hard to ride for an entire class. But thankfully Toby has stepped up to the mark and he can now school and show Roy.

“Roy can be a spooky little bugger but we know him inside out now. He’s so sensible in some ways but in other ways he’s very cheeky. But he’s been very easy to home-produce and we’re so grateful to have him in our lives.”

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Johnny Arden, the countryman and founder of carriage driving business Dartmoor Driving died on 25 July, aged 89.

Mr Arden grew up on his family farm near Chagford, Devon, working the farm with horses. His father Major Bert Arden restarted the Mid Devon Hounds in 1936, and Mr Arden later helped as whipper-in and kennelman.

After the war he went on to ride pointers as an amateur jockey while doing his national service. When he was injured in a fall at Newton Abbot he was no longer able to do active service, so he joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, working with dogs and driving horses.

After the war he ran a hireling stables near Cirencester, and in the 1980s he returned to his beloved Dartmoor, where he was based at Michelcombe, Holne. He hunted with the Dartmoor, hosting meets for the hunt, and for the Dart Vale and Haldon Harriers.

Mr Arden developed a passion for carriage driving early on and preferred it to riding. It was suggested to him that he could offer to take people out on the moor and turn his passion into a business, and Dartmoor Driving was later formed. People would send horses and ponies to Mr Arden to be trained to drive, and he taught many people over the years. He met his wife Marguerite when she spent a week on holiday learning to carriage drive, and in 1986 she moved to Michelcombe.

Mrs Arden said her husband’s main love was “getting a team of horses out on the road and putting in the miles”. He spent more than 30 years sharing his love of Dartmoor and teaching people to drive. He was also a member of the Western Counties Heavy Horse Society. Dartmoor Driving scaled down around five years ago, but Mr Arden continued to enjoy driving up until last summer.

He will be greatly missed by his family and the carriage driving community.

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It was third time lucky at the 2023 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) for the home-produced Dartmoor pony Lowlandview James Bond and his connections, as he took the BSPS Heritage ridden M&M Pretty Polly mini supreme after his third crack at the lead rein class.

Lowlandview James Bond, a Springwater Happy Day nine-year-old, topped the lead reins with seven-year-old Harriet Lomas in the saddle, handled by mother Lynsey Lomas.

Showing is a true family affair as Harriet’s grandmother, Julie Massey, owns James.

James is out of Pumphill Belladonna II and he was bred by Katie Duxbury. James was initially bought by Julie and Lynsey from Nikki Ashcroft.

“He’s done everything we wanted, and so much more,” said Lynsey, who fits in showing the mini duo around her full-time work as a hairdresser.

On their first appearance together at the RIHS three years ago, Harriet and James, a winner of multiple-supreme titles during his run with the family, finished third in the same Pretty Polly lead rein final.

“He was unplaced last year, so to come back and do this was so unexpected,” said Lynsey, who has led the pair at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). “James is a mother’s dream. He’s so well-behaved and Harriet can do anything with him.”

Reserve mini champion was the second placed lead rein pony, Heather Cook’s 13-year-old Welsh section A Woodend Marigold, ridden by Camilla Hollis.

Completing the championship line-up were the top two from the first ridden class, winners Poppy Gresty and Pumphill Rasputin, as well as second placed Tabitha Hughes and Towergate First Impression.

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A new combination led the Royal Windsor M&M mini championship, providing their experienced handler with a career first.

John Harvey is no stranger to success leading mini natives; he’s led ponies to overall glory at both the Royal International (RIHS) and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) many times over, but the Royal Windsor M&M mini championship had always eluded him.

“I think I’ve been reserve here three times,” said John, who was leading Anna Cayzer’s Dartmoor gelding Coppinshill Celebrity, and five-year-old Lilly Cayzer, who was riding at Windsor for the very first time.

“We’ve only done one show with him prior to Windsor, where he won his RIHS ticket on the lead rein,” John explained. “We’re very much looking forward to the season ahead.”

The seven-year-old was bought from Debbie Barr in October and Anna ran him at home over winter.

“I saw him a couple of years ago for the first time and I really liked him,” said John. “As soon as he came on the market I told Anna to go and buy him; he’s a seriously lovely pony and he has the temperament to match. While he was at home Lilly did Pony Club with him to get to know him, and that really helped them grow together as a combination.”

The Shetland gelding Briar Snowfox, ridden by Lilly Richardson, won the first ridden class en route to finishing reserve in the championship.

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Seven ponies have been hit and five killed on Dartmoor within eight days, the most collisions ever seen in such a short time.

Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie told H&H the incidents were hugely upsetting, especially as only three of the collisions were reported, leaving the ponies involved in the others to suffer.

“It’s very distressing,” she said. “We’ve never had so many in such a short space of time.

“One had a broken leg and was left to die. Three were reported but the others were just left.

“People have to realise that these ponies are all owned by someone, so there’s not only the financial loss, there’s the emotional side, of knowing that their animals have been left to suffer. That is not good enough.”

Karla said it might be that the cold snap had contributed, as ponies get a taste for the salt used on the roads and so are attracted to them.

“We get a lot of fog on these roads, and people have to drive with more awareness and to the conditions,” she said. “There are miles and miles of unfenced roads on Dartmoor, and it’s great to see the animals grazing freely, and they have every right to be there. It’s their home and they should be able to graze and flourish and live in peace and safety. People have to realise there may be animals on the road.”

Karla added that although she is not pointing the finger at any individuals, it is “absolutely criminal to leave a pony like that, knowing it could be injured”.

“It’s hard in the dark but do the right thing and call it in,” she said. “I’m on call 24 hours a day, or call the police, then we can get help to that animal. There’s always someone you can call.

“Or people do call and say the pony’s fine, it went off, but it’s probably only gone five metres, and could be there with a broken leg. Or then you ask what the damage is to their car and they say it’s written off. Then you know the pony needs seeing to.

“It took 15 years to get the A386 fenced off but these are B roads and unless there’s a human fatality, I don’t think anyone will listen. But again, why should they be fenced, why can’t people just drive sensibly? It’s a beautiful, majestic national park, and those animals have every right to be there.”

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Fancy tucking into some “pony plops”? Who wouldn’t?

Now you can sample some “pony poo”, chocolate clusters bursting with things like mini marshmallows, honeycomb, caramel and granola, and feel virtuous as you’re also supporting ponies on Dartmoor.

Award-winning confectionary business Flapjackery has nominated the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) as its supported charity. The “pony plops” have been added to its range in the equines’ honour, and it is to donate £1.50 to the trust for every Dartmoor box of treats sold.

Carol Myott, who owns Flapjackery with her business partner Sally Jenkin, told H&H: “A bag of Flapjackery pony poo is a really fun way of remembering a trip to Dartmoor and seeing its wonderful native ponies. Luckily, ours are edible.”

Carol added that the business is based on the edge of the moor, and the team knows and loves the ponies.

“They are iconic with people coming from far and wide to see them, and are an important visitor draw,” she said. “They are also an important part of our heritage and culture and it’s sad to think that the days of native Dartmoor ponies as we know them could be numbered, so we are delighted to be able to support the work of the charity, and increase awareness through our Tavistock shop.”

The DPHT relies on public donations and chair Malcolm Snelgrove said the charity is delighted by Flapjackery’s support.

“The DPHT is such an important charity, not only in the work it is doing to ensure a sustainable future for traditional Dartmoor ponies, but also through its conservation work, and by engaging with the public so that they are inspired to connect with Dartmoor’s wildlife, landscape and heritage,” he said.

Flapjackery has a number of shops and also sells online. All products are gluten-free and there is a range of flavours available, as well as the pony poo.

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When show producer Adam Forster visited Joyce and Jacky Newbery’s Newoak Stud last year, he knew he’d found a potential Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) winner in Newoak Midnight Blue, but he didn’t quite think the gelding would win the Gribbin Family HOYS lead rein pony of hunter type class in his debut season.

The four-year-old part-bred, ridden by Scarlett Smith and owned by Scarlett’s grandmother Naomi Bradwell, is by former HOYS-winning Dartmoor Lickfolds Snowstorm out of Ardenhall Midnight Charm. He is produced by Adam and his partner David Jinks of the Jinks Show Team in Cheshire. Earlier this year he took second at the Royal International (RIHS) and he booked his HOYS place after standing mini champion at Royal Bath and West.

“I thought I had a bit of a star on my hands when I saw him at the stud,” said Adam. “I remember looking at him for the first time and saying to David that we were definitely taking him home with us. We backed him over the winter and he’s been incredible. He has the best temperament, and I love his movement.”

This was five-year-old Scarlett’s first time riding at HOYS and the win marked Adam’s first victory in the HOYS lead rein pony of hunter type championship.“I’ve been second in this class twice and this was my third attempt; it’s taken me three goes to win it.

“Naomi has been one of our longest standing clients, so this is really special for her, too.”

Finlay Clay and Heather Cray’s Cadlanvalley Super Ted were second, led by Craig Elenor.

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More than 200 ponies and cows on Dartmoor have been given reflective neckbands in an attempt to prevent road collisions.

The idea came from Dartmoor Forest Parish Council, which said accidents and deaths of animals were a major concern. The council successfully bid for £6,306 from the Vision Sero South West road safety partnership.

The scheme, through which bands were issued to farmers, was launched on 24 June.

Dartmoor livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie said the unfenced roads become “death traps” if drivers are not animal-aware.

“I am sickened and saddened by the high number of collisions I attend involving dead and dying animals,” she said. “If you witness an animal being hit, please call me urgently on 07873 587561.”

Cllr Mark Williams of Dartmoor Forest Parish Council said: “The B3212 is the busiest of the two main roads across Dartmoor, the arterial route from Plymouth on to the moor. The stretch between Peek Hill and Princetown is unfenced, with a speed limit of 40mph, and runs across Walkhampton Common, where around 150 cattle and 80 ponies roam freely.

“Collisions involving vehicles hitting animals are unfortunately frequent. There were 117 involving animals on Dartmoor in 2021 recorded by the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society. Most result in the death of the animal and heavy damage to the vehicle involved. Some also result in injury to drivers and passengers.”

Cllr Williams said the council had worked with the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society, Dartmoor National Park Authority, Devon County Council highways, the Dartmoor Commoners’ Council, Devon and Cornwall Police, Dartmoor Speedwatch and Burrator Parish Council on the scheme.

Andrew Watson, head of recreation and access at Dartmoor National Park said: “The national park sees thousands of visitors each year, attracted by the vast open areas of moorland with unfenced roads and grazing livestock. The authority is delighted to be part of this partnership, working to reduce the number of animal deaths and injuries across Dartmoor, and improve road safety for all visitors and residents.”

The funding has also paid for an interactive speed sign, and improved signs alerting drivers. Cllr Williams added: “These neck bands have proved successful in their use in the New Forest. We hope these measures will raise driver awareness of the need for caution and reduced speed on this stretch of road, and that traffic collisions and incidents involving livestock will be reduced as a result.

“If this initiative proves successful the aim is to roll out similar measures on other key routes across the moor, should additional funding become available.”

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The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT) is having to build “Fort Knox” after thieves stole hundreds of pounds from an honesty box — and is asking for ideas that may help prevent future thefts.

The metal box, which held proceeds from parking at the DPHT headquarters, was found broken open and the stone cairn around it destroyed, last week.

DPHT chief executive Dru Butterfield told H&H there was about £350 inside, boosted by Christmas visitors, but the charity is losing more every day as it has nowhere for drivers to pay their parking money.

“It’s just one of the worst things that could have happened,” she said. “The cairn, which had been lovingly built with the security box encased in it, has been absolutely wrecked, they jemmied it open, and we lost all the donations from one of our busiest times.”

Donate to the trust online

Dru said four stonemasons had already offered to rebuild the cairn.

“The British public is fantastic for animal charities,” she said. “But the problem is what to rebuild. Will someone come along again, now we’ve been hit, and have another go, and destroy it? Will we now have to install CCTV, which will cost more, or a high-end security system for a donation cairn in a car park?”

Dru said the car park cannot be manned. The trust has a QR code on the gate, which can be used to pay the £3 daily parking charge, but drivers do not tend to do so.

“We’re National Trust tenants, which costs us about £7,000 per year, and the car park is how we get some of that back, and pay for the ponies’ hay,” Dru said.

“It’s not cheap to be here, and run the education and visitor centre, but it’s to ensure people can learn the story of the Dartmoor pony. Our work is to secure the future of the Dartmoor pony, on Dartmoor, and having the venue is the showcase.

“We struggled all through Covid, and are due to be opening in February, and then this. I just couldn’t believe it.”

Dru said she is trying to stay positive, adding: “I pray they raised our donation box because their need was greater; I have to tell myself that, which makes me feel a bit better.

“But if anyone has a foolproof idea for an anti-theft device; we need Fort Knox, please get in touch.

“We can’t man the car park but we do find the honesty-box approach works. People sometimes put in £5 or £10 notes because they know it’s for keeping the Dartmoor pony on the moor. And the love of the Dartmoor pony is what it’s all about.”

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Some eagle-eyed residents and visitors to Dartmoor have noticed something a little bizarre recently – ponies with green manes.

But these aren’t just any ponies, these are Dartmoor Hill Ponies, and their new colour scheme has come about thanks to an idea hatched by Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony group.

Their spray painting service has been offered to farmers who are members of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association and is part of a plan to match the breeding levels of Dartmoor Hill Ponies to that of the demand for this breed.

The project, which aims to reduce the number of foals being left unsold and going to slaughter, means that semi-feral Dartmoor Hill Pony mares can receive a contraceptive injection to help tackle the problem of overbreeding – this scheme was first introduced in 2012.

The ponies with green manes are mares who are part of this contraception scheme. Although a very bright green to start with, the spray paint fades over the winter period, but is still visible in spring time as one of the ways to identify them quickly out on the moor.

The spray paint means that the ponies who are on the contraceptive scheme are easy to spot when they are rounded up late in the spring, at which point they are injected with a six-month booster jab of the contraceptive.

The first approval of this contraceptive scheme came about after World Horse Welfare vet Keith Meldrum worked with the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association and pharmaceutical company Pfizer – who are now well-known as a Covid-19 vaccine provider – on a plan to inject 20 mares in 2012.

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Semi-feral Dartmoor hill pony mares will receive a contraceptive injection - to tackle the problem of overbreeding - in what

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A Dartmoor pony herd has been rounded up and tested for strangles in a bid to curb an aggressive outbreak of the disease that has been affecting the moor for the past year.

The semi-isolated herd had been grazing a 450-hectare site at Bellever as part of a conservation project, making them ideal candidates to track the infection’s progress and help contain its spread.

Since June, the outbreak has meant riders have been asked to stay away from the land near Postbridge, which is leased from Forestry England by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DHPT), while walkers have also been asked to steer clear of the native ponies grazing there.

Although the herd has very limited contact with the others on Dartmoor, the highly infectious respiratory illness had still managed to reach the 27 ponies at the site.

“We were keeping our fingers crossed for them as it is a closed herd but at long odds, two ponies must have said hello to each other over the wall at the one corner where contact is possible and upsettingly it then rattled though this herd,” said DHPT patron and wildlife photographer Malcolm Snelgrove.

The DPHT chose to work alongside charities the Mare and Foal Sanctuary, Redwings and the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society to drift the ponies in to a clean holding pen and test them.

At the same time, they also had their feet trimmed, while this year’s foals were allocated passports and microchipped.

“Ten per cent of infected ponies can become carriers and we wanted to create a firewall to stop this strain,” Malcolm said.

“The idea is to test them and see if we have carriers — if we do, the next step would be a guttural pouch wash to clear them of the disease.

“I don’t think anyone has tried a major testing operation like this before but as we have a closed herd with a lot of control, we are in a position to learn from this.”

The ponies were brought in on 30 September and 1 October and the results of the tests, which are being carried out at Redwings’ lab, are expected to take a week.

“The results will enable us to move some of the ponies on for sale,” Malcolm said. “Some of them had already been sold as riding ponies or as conservation ponies for different sites, but we couldn’t move them.

“Some vets will say that after two weeks of no clinical signs, they are deemed clear of infection, but I have been following the herds from a photographic perspective and I know strangles can kick around for two or three months, and then two months later there is another outbreak. As a charity we wanted to guarantee we didn’t move any ponies until we knew 100% that they weren’t carriers.”

The operation is being overseen by vet Hayden Webb and his team at Equus Equine Vets, and strangles expert Nic de Brauwere, head of welfare and behaviour at Redwings.

Malcolm added that the work would hopefully enable them to give breeders on Dartmoor an idea of the investment necessary to ensure spread is halted in the event of an outbreak.

“We need to know the most cost-effective way of stopping this,” he said.

The Bellever herd has already contributed to a University of Plymouth conservation study which demonstrated the positive impact the ponies had on the control of purple moor grass (molinia caerulea). The grass has become dominant and is having a negative impact on species diversity.

The work by Paul Hunt, Jakob Leigh, Samantha McNeill and Malcolm Gibb, published in the Conservation Evidence Journal has demonstrated that native ponies can be attracted to graze areas dominant in molinia caerulea through the use of salt licks.

Their grazing and trampling was shown to increase the establishment of heather seedlings.

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Two sisters will be riding in four classes at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) on three different ponies. More incredibly, two of their coveted qualifications were bagged in just four days during the show season.

Their Dartmoor, Feldons Red Kite (Tonto), will take to the TopSpec ring twice at HOYS, in the first ridden with nine-year-old HOYS first-timer Evie Walker, and the open Dartmoor, Exmoor and Shetland class with 12-year-old Lilly Walker.

The six-year-old gelding was bought by Lilly and Evie’s mother, Sam Walker, at the start of the season and he is currently based with Lauren Brill, who has produced him through the ranks. He was bought on a chance visit to Lauren’s yard.

“We were visiting my Welsh section B pony who was based at Laurens, and as Evie didn’t have anything to ride, she asked if she wanted to try Tonto in a first ridden class,” says Sam. “On their second outing together they qualified for the Royal International (RIHS).”

Lauren was back on board Tonto in the HOYS qualifier at the Dartmoor Breed Show, where the pair won and were also crowned supreme of show. Four days later at NPS Area 7, Evie piloted him to her first ever HOYS first ridden ticket, before standing section reserve.

“We’re blown away at his results,” adds Sam.

Not to be outdone by her younger sister, Lilly — who last rode at HOYS on the lead rein in 2015 — qualified her Welsh section A Amilas Clicquot, who is known at home as Perfect Colin, to win the mountain and moorland (M&M) HOYS junior small breeds qualifier at The Showing Register summer show.

“We bought Colin from Lauren 12 months ago and had him gelded,” says Sam, who produces Colin from home alongside Lilly. “He’s the ideal all-rounder and he’s recently picked up jumping, too.”

Lilly then stepped up to ride Anneli Daniels and Tony Fill’s Dales mare Tarbarl April Showers in the M&M junior ridden large breeds qualifier at Royal Norfolk, where they won and qualified on their third attempt, adding another pony to Lauren’s HOYS bus.

“Lilly will be one of the youngest riders in this class,” says Sam.

Preparation for the Walker family involves weekly visits to Lauren’s yard and lots of hacking and variety for Perfect Colin, who resides at home in Shropshire.

“We’re set for a busy couple of days, but hopefully everyone’s on track,” Sam concludes.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A desperate plea has been made to visitors to Dartmoor: stay away from the ponies to help stop a “vicious strain” of strangles spreading.

The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is trying to “put a firewall” in place around the 450-hectare site it leases from Forestry England at Bellever, to protect its 27 ponies.

Other animals on neighbouring commons, at Haytor and Widecombe, are already infected, so the trust is urging riders and walkers to stay out of Bellever, in hopes of stopping the infection spreading to more moorland herds.

Charity chief executive Dru Butterfield said: “The neighbouring [new intake] to the land we lease has contracted strangles, and this strain is particularly nasty.

“We are devastated that our herd, which we go to such extreme measures to care for, are now almost certain to contract this terrible infection.

“We urge the public to avoid any contact with our ponies and to please enjoy them from a distance. If you are a horse owner we would ask you to avoid Bellever until we provide an all-clear notice.”

The trust is working with vets and the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society.

H&H reported in February that visitors to the moor were being asked to look but not touch, as some of the ponies were carrying strangles.

Anyone who sees a pony with a snotty nose or abscesses, or coughing, is asked to call Dartmoor livestock protection officer Karla McKechnie on 07873 587561.

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IN their first affiliated season, and on their first attempt, Casey Cohane (11) and her show hunter pony Newoak Onyx qualified for the Royal International Horse Show.

“He’s home-produced and we started showing him in 2018 at local level – this year was our first affiliated year,” said Casey’s mother Kirsty. “Casey had only done a few months lead rein followed by a few classes first ridden last year, so she’s practically gone straight into the 13hh’ers.”

‘Sid’ is a black 13hh Dartmoor x riding pony bred by the Newoak Stud. Kirsty purchased him from Chloe Lacey in Ireland.

“We were desperate for him, and hounded Chloe for three months as he wasn’t for sale. Eventually she gave in when I sent her a photo of Casey riding,” said Kirsty. “She would only sell Sid to us if she could see Casey riding ro ensure they would be compatible.”

The pair came fourth in the 133cm show hunter pony class at RIHS.

“We were over the moon with him as there were just under 30 in the class,” said Kirsty. “He really enjoyed his gallop.”

As well as show hunter pony showing, Casey has also tried her hand at side-saddle.

“Casey has won a showing class side-saddle on him, so we’d like to do some more of that as well,” said Kirsty. “He’s such a special pony and has that real ‘look at me’ factor.”

The duo are also off to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) after qualifying at Derbyshire Festival in June.

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THE smallest contender of the Corroconsult British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage ridden supreme championship made the biggest impression to scoop the title on his Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) debut.

This was Felicity Thompson’s home-bred Dartmoor stallion Salombe Starehole Bay ridden by his producer Katy Marriott-Payne. Katy has produced ponies for the Thompson family for several years and “Cecil” descends from a long line of breed champions.

Despite being a seven-year-old, 2021 is Cecil’s first full season under saddle and he’s already bound for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and Liverpool.

Conformation judge Jill Godden agreed that the champion is the ultimate breed ambassador.

“He is so beautiful in type,” she said.

“He had the panache and pizzazz that some of the others perhaps lacked,” added ride judge Mary Rose Cole. “Both champion and reserve (Skargaardens Delicious Love) were beautifully produced, too.”

Cecil is by three time-HOYS finalist Shilstone Rocks Snowy Mountain and was bred by Felicity as an out-cross, being out of a Hisley-bred mare. His granddam is Felicity’s daughter, Freya’s former lead rein pony, Shilstone Rocks Musada

“These lines have never met before Cecil,” said Felicity. “It’s given him good bone and type. He didn’t mature until he was a six-year-old so we’ve been patient, and he’s taken everything in his stride. Obviously we have the help of a very good jockey.”

Katy was also overjoyed to win the prestigious accolade:

“There were so many beautiful ponies in there,” she said. “Cecil had a great day, though his class was in at 7.30am so he was a bit annoyed that he missed his usual morning snooze. At home he’d have his breakfast and be back in bed at the time we were in the ring.

“He’s never heard a crowd like it. He loves the occasion and thankfully he’s got the swagger to go with it.”

Felicity breeds between four and six foals per year, and noted that Cecil’s half brother, Salcombe Frowder Cove, won here two years ago, too, with Katy.

“We’ve had his first crop of foals and one day I’ll find Cecil a suitable crop of wives,” said Felicity.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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A para rider who suffers frequent dislocations and periods of blindness and paralysis has completed an epic 51-mile trek across Dartmoor to raise funds for the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

Grade IV para rider Kirstie McPherson, who has connective tissue disorder Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS) and neurological disorder generalised dystonia, completed the three-day trek on Monday (19 July) with two friends.

She told H&H she rode a mile and a half with a dislocated knee on day one — having to bite on her water bottle as it was put back in as “I didn’t want to scream in front of the others” — and lost the sight in one eye on the second day owing to a hemiplegic migraine.

She suffered an allergic reaction to the tape used on her relocated knee, bruised her eye when she hit it on a door she could not see on the second night, and her fragile skin broke in “areas you can’t imagine”.

“But it was 100% worth it,” she said.

“Those were probably the worst bits of the ride, but the biggest down side was coming home; we’re already planning the next one.”

It had been doubtful a week before the ride whether Kirstie would be able to go; her loan mare Mimi “had an argument with a tree” during a ride in the woods, thinking she and her rider could fit under a branch that was too low, and Kirstie came off backwards.

She hit her head and lost her sight temporarily but after eight and a half hours in hospital, was allowed home.

“All I could think was ‘oh my god, they’re not going to let me go on my ride’,” said Kirstie.

“I burst into tears and one of the nurses said ‘I bet it’s really scary’, and I said ‘No, I don’t want to miss my ride!’ I’ve spent four months training for this and I didn’t want to let everyone down.”

Kirstie’s determination meant she, coach Emily Lyndon and endurance rider Vicky Bartlett set out as planned, leaving early on Saturday morning and finishing on Monday afternoon.

“It was magical,” Kirstie said. “The views, the friendships made, the gallops, and Mimi was absolutely amazing, she didn’t put a foot wrong.

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“People keep saying it was my charity ride but it wasn’t; I couldn’t have done it without Vicky planning it and being amazing, the support of Emily and her parents, Vicky’s husband and sons being our support crew. It was a team effort.

Donate to Kirstie’s page

“And Mimi blew me away. I loved her from the moment I saw her but the confidence I’ve built with her on this ride is amazing. She showed me her beautiful heart over and over again, and as a para rider, the most important thing is to have that bond. She blew me away.”

Kirstie is planning a longer ride next summer, to raise funds for the Devon and Cornwall air ambulances.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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In this week’s issue of H&H (out today, 8 April), we spend some time at the home of breeders Julian Walters and David Hodge, who run the Sharptor, Halstock and Blacketor prefixes from their stud in Okehampton on the edge of Dartmoor in Devon.

Breeding Shetland ponies, Dartmoor ponies and most recently Exmoor ponies, Julian and David are on a mission to breed “proper”, true-to-type natives for the ridden market. 

Take a look around their set-up, placed slap bang in the middle of some of the country’s most glorious landscape:

Breeders David Hodge (left) and Julian Walters with Blackthorn Poldark and Sharptor Trinity. David and Julian met in 1998. The pair were both involved in livestock showing and met through mutual friends. 

Their current home is a 1,500 acre farm nestled in the Dartmoor National Park, near Yes Tor, the second highest point on Dartmoor. The yard stands at 1,400 feet. 

Qualifying for the Cuddy in-hand final with a Shetland pony became an obsession for the breeders. In 2016, they made history when their Shetland mare Sharptor Trinity became the first of her breed in 30 years to contest the final after landing her ticket at Pembrokeshire county show. Trinity took the reserve spot in the pony section of the Cuddy in 2016 and 2017, having also finished second at HOYS under saddle as a lead-rein in 2013. 

Exmoors are a relatively new venture for the stud. Their interest was sparked when David saw Blackthorn Poldark for sale as a foal on social media. Now five, Poldark will be out under saddle this season after a successful in-hand career.

While conformation and breed type is at the heart of their breeding, David and Julian want to ensure that the ponies appeal to the ridden market and can go on to have jobs elsewhere.

Jessica Talbot (right) produces David and Julian’s ponies under saddle from her yard in Somerset. 

David and Julian rough the ponies off in the winter so they can apply condition by recommencing feeding in the new year for a fresh topline. 

“We are pretty old-school; we make our own mix from straights, too,” says Julian.

The stud breeds around 45 foals a year. They are a combination of all three breeds, but the majority is made up of standard Shetlands. 

Six-year-old Shetland stallion Sharptor Tricolore – by Sharptor Laser Red out of Sharptor Trinity — has already secured several wins with Jessica Talbot. 

 “Tricolore has the movement of his mother and he’s a very exciting prospect,” says Julian. 

Don’t miss the full interview with David and Julian in this week’s Horse & Hound, out (8 April). 

Horse & Hound is out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Ponies can improve biodiversity through conservation grazing, early results of a study indicate, as it is hoped they will be included in new government policy.

A research project was carried out, on request of Defra and Natural England, by the Dartmoor Heritage Trust with the University of Plymouth at sites on Dartmoor. The project, which started in 2017, aimed to gather scientific evidence on the benefits of ponies as conservation grazers in promoting biodiversity.

Salt blocks were used to attract ponies to areas of moorland dominated by molinia, a grass they would not usually graze.

Paul Lunt, associate professor in environmental science at Plymouth University, told H&H that while the project is ongoing, initial signs are “very promising”.

“The ponies have been grazing on the Lakehead site where they previously weren’t,” he said.“That’s been enough to stimulate regrowth of some heather seedlings, which is what we were looking for.

“Sustainable management of molinia, an aggressive and dominant grass which overwhelms less robust species, presents a serious challenge.

“Changes in management and climate have favoured molinia, and it is a major issue for many upland areas across the UK; it creates a poor habitat and is very prone to wildfire, which allows it to out-compete other plants.”

Professor Lunt said monitoring will continue next year and reports had been given to Defra on the findings so far.

“We hope there can be practical recommendations made for grazing on Dartmoor to pull animals into areas perhaps they haven’t grazed before to improve [the areas’] condition. It could benefit any breeds of ponies used for grazing on sites of special scientific interest,” he said.

Dru Butterfield, consultant advisor to the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, told H&H the way ponies have been used in the UK for increasing biodiversity is “key” to their long-term survival.

“We’re thrilled to say the ponies have had an impact on biodiversity. We have known for many years through anecdotal evidence that ponies have benefits, but this evidence will reiterate why they are so useful,” she said.

“Natural England said it will be part of the evidence for the new environment land management scheme (ELMS), and we’re working with Defra to do that.”

ELMS is part of a 25-year government plan due to launch in 2025, aiming to protect the environment and make land more sustainable.

A spokesman for Defra said he could not comment, owing to the forthcoming general election.

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Pictures of a Dartmoor foal with a bag of dog poo stuck in its mouth have gone viral – but this is just one example of a widespread issue.

Pam Clifford, who volunteers with the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony group, was checking this year’s youngsters on the moor on 14 May as part of the Dartmoor foal watch initiative.

She told H&H she photographs the foals as part of the project, and posts them online, which can help find them homes after weaning.

“I’d taken one picture of the foal lying down, then went to take one from another angle, turned round and thought ‘oh my god’,” Mrs Clifford said.

“I went back across and tried to get hold of the bag but he just went zooming off. I tried my best but there was no way I could catch him, so I got hold of the local pony keeper, who lives nearby, and she came out and got the bag out of his mouth.”

Mrs Clifford was unable to get close enough to the foal to check, but believes the bag was stuck as it was still there when the keeper arrived.

“It could have been fatal if he’d swallowed it,” she said.

“But it wasn’t just that one; the keeper picked up about 14 other bags of poo while she was there.”

Mrs Clifford said walkers’ leaving bagged poo behind is a major issue locally.

“It’s not just up on Plaster Down, it’s all over,” she said. “There’s an airfield, where ponies graze, there are bags hanging from trees and fences, and it happens in the New Forest, Wales, everywhere.

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“There are also people who dump huge piles of grass cuttings for the ponies to eat, boxes of apples; they just don’t think, and it can all be fatal.

“I just want to do anything to help spread the word.”

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The Dartmoor pony is the native breed of the county of Devon in the south west of England. The ponies have been recorded living on the moors of Dartmoor since the middle ages, meaning they have developed to be hardy and resilient. They cannot exceed 12.2hh and can be bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut, roan. Piebalds, skewbalds and spotted ponies are not allowed.

The Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) represents the pedigree Dartmoor pony, but there are many ponies living out on Dartmoor of all sizes and colours, most of unknown breeding. These are typically described as Dartmoor Hill Ponies.

The DPS states that: “The true-to-type Dartmoor Pony with known breeding is recognised as a rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and is typical of the ponies seen in the show ring at county shows throughout the United Kingdom.”

The breed standard of the Dartmoor Pony is as follows:

Colour: A certain amount of white is and always has been acceptable. Excessive white markings to be discouraged. (e.g. Acceptable – small sock to fetlock, small star or snip. Not Acceptable – White blaze, stripe and any stockings)

Neck and head: The head is small and bloodlike, reasonably short from eye to muzzle and without much tapering to the nose. The ears are small and alert and the eyes fairly large giving the pony a kindly interested expression. It should be well set on a good neck of medium length. The throat and jaws should be fine and showing no signs of coarseness or throatiness. Stallions to have a moderate crest.

Shoulders: Good shoulders are most important. They should be well laid back and sloping, but not too fine at the withers.

Body: Of medium length and strong, well ribbed up with a good depth of girth giving plenty of heart room.

Loin and hindquarters: Strong and well covered with muscle. The hind quarters should be of medium length and neither level nor steeply sloping. The tail is well set up.

Limbs: The forelegs should not be tied in at the knee. The fore-arm should be muscular and relatively long and the knee fairly large and flat at the front. The cannons should be short with ample good, flat bone. The pasterns should be sloping but not too long. The feet should be hard and well shaped. The hocks should be well let down with plenty of length from hip to hock, clean cut and with plenty of bone below the hock. They should have a strong second thigh. They should not be sickled or cow-hocked.

Movement: Low and straight coming from the shoulder with good hock action but without exaggeration.

The breed standard also states that the Dartmoor makes a very good looking riding pony, and should be sturdily built yet with quality, like a scaled down middleweight hunter. The mane and tail should be full and flowing. The general impression given by a Dartmoor is of a well made, quality pony with ample bone which stands over plenty of ground.

The DPS has a grading system for stallions which can become premium or super premium through the progeny they have sired winning at the society’s star shows.

Dartmoor ponies were originally used to carry tin from the mines, for farm work and as pack-horses for transporting goods.

In the 1920s, Prince Edward (Edward VIII) kept and bred Dartmoor ponies near Princetown and crossed them with Arab ponies with the aim of producing a finer polo pony. Dartmoor ponies were originally recorded in the Polo Pony Society Stud Book, then in the stud books of the National Pony Society from 1898 and then in 1924 the DPS was created and took over the maintenance of the stud book.

The Dartmoor is listed as a rare breed as there are less than 1,000 breeding mares remaining.

Today, the Dartmoor pony is seen as an excellent child’s pony, although they are also ridden by small adults.

In 2010 and 2011, two Dartmoor ponies consecutively landed the Olympia M&M supreme title. The 2010 champion was Sue Hughes’ black stallion Pumphill Buckthorn (above) who had won the overall M&M ridden pony of the year title at HOYS three months before. The following year, Christine Anderson’s bay stallion Rushfield Bailey was crowned champion.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

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A driving pony is putting his training to a very special use as he prepares to help Father Christmas this December.

Dartmoor pony Chinkwell Basil has given Rudolph the boot and will be receiving visitors at the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust Centre open day on 8 December.

The pony was born on the commons, near Widecombe, and was bred by Margaret Rogers and Michael Lamb of Higher Venton Farm.

Dartmoor pony and driving enthusiast Trisha Luxton bought him and broke him to harness before he was sold to David and Denise Browne three years ago.

“Basil” is driven by the Brownes’ granddaughter, 16-year-old Isobel Wesbroom-Warr, who has competed internationally with the pony.

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“Basil is just incredible”, said Isobel.

“He is 13 years old and has become very accomplished in his lifetime. With Trisha he completed a John O’Groats to Land’s End charity drive with his half-brothers William and Archie.”

Isobel and Basil competed at the FEI youth driving European Championships in Hungary this year.

“We think that’s a pretty amazing achievement for a little pony bred in the wilds of Dartmoor,” Isobel added.

“We are very proud of this much-loved family pony who loves life and is a personable character with the heart of a lion.

“He is going to love being a ‘Dartmoor reindeer’ and we are honoured to have been asked to help Father Christmas!”

Santa Claus, Isobel and Basil will be meeting visitor between 11am and 2pm on the open day at Parke in Bovey Tracey.

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This year’s drift sale of Dartmoor Hill Ponies has gone ahead despite being under threat from new DEFRA legislation.

Charlotte Faulkner from Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony had said she feared up to 250 foals could be shot if the annual event on 11 October was cancelled and the ponies weren’t able to be placed with new owners.

Legislation released by DEFRA on 1 October stipulated that the ponies could only leave the auction if they had passports, but the practicalities of issuing full documentation on site to semi-feral ponies were prohibitive.

At short notice, the organisation was able to come up with an innovative way to fulfil temporary ID requirements and allow the auction to go ahead.

“We had a system that worked very well before, but DEFRA tried to replace the system with a semi-passport that needed to be issued between the sale ring and the trailer,” Charlotte explained. “They required that we get vets to draw up and sign a silhouette of each pony, but there weren’t enough hours or vets to go around to make that possible.

“In order to get around it, we built a photobox — which is basically a Perspex box that can keep a foal still enough — and we were able to take photos of the ponies on all four sides.”

The photos enabled silhouettes to be drawn up and signed off by vets, so that a full passport could be issued in the days following the sale.

“We did it to the best of our ability, in pouring rain and difficult circumstances and with 50 volunteers who were able to make it happen,” she added, “but wild ponies having to go through this is ridiculous.”

DEFRA also said that ponies were allowed to leave the sale with rump stickers rather than microchips — a move that Charlotte said most people linked to the ponies were against.

“It takes away traceability completely — the pony doesn’t have pocket it can put a passport in,” she said. “We were adamant they were not going to leave Dartmoor without being chipped.”

Charlotte criticised DEFRA’s lack of consultation over the changes, saying although the organisation claimed to have engaged with the relevant bodies, there had been no contact.

“I tried to contact them for two years asking to hold discussions, but have been ignored,” she said. “They said they’d consulted but they haven’t spoken to our auctioneers [Rendells], the auctioneers in the New Forest, Trading Standards who police it, or our passport-issuing authority either.

“We knew nothing about what the legislation would contain until it was released on 1 October.”

Continued below…

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Charlotte said she hoped that DEFRA would consult and introduce further changes before next year.

“We have these incredibly precious ponies that have survived the ice age, Roman invasion, civil war, World War II and living with humans in between, and now they might not be able to survive this bit of legislation,” she added.

DEFRA’s legislation changes have come as Brexit looms and European regulations have to be incorporated into British law. The new laws regarding horse ID were released at the beginning of this month and included the ruling that all horses must be microchipped and have passports — excluding the semi-wild moorland and New Forest herds.

A Defra spokesman said an “open and public” consultation ran from 16 May to 5 April 2017 on equine ID, which had 230 responses from some 446,000 horse owners in the country.

“We have worked closely with the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association to ensure a smooth transition into our new equine identification regulations,” he said. “We are pleased to hear the association will adhere to [these rules], and ensure high standards of welfare for the hill ponies.”

A version of this news story was first published on p12 of Horse & Hound magazine, 25 October 2018 issue

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

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As Devon is crowned H&H magazine’s horsiest county, we celebrate the region’s native breed — the Dartmoor — by picking out seven stunning ponies who have shone in the show ring already this term.

Which one would be your dream ‘Dartie’?

1. Cayberry Pimpernel

This picture perfect lead rein pony was piloted by Kian Doherty to land the mini mountain and moorland (M&M) title at BSPS Area 1B.

2. Moortown Crusader

Ensuring the breed retains its local form, the consistent stallion was overall in-hand supreme at Devon County Show for the second year running, booking his return ticket to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Cuddy final.

3. Hisley Carnival

Partnered by Jemima Jewson, this gelding was overall mini M&M Royal International (RIHS) Pretty Polly champion at the British Show Pony Society (BSPS) winter championships.

4. Langworthy Swift Ghost

Lizzie Houghton rode her own successful mare to bag the overall M&M open ridden title at Royal Cornwall.

5. Langfield Lord Asriel

Ridden by Olivia Taylor, the gelding was overall RIHS young rider victor at North of England’s spring fixture. The pair also won their HOYS junior class at Royal Three Counties.

6. Newoak Gold Edition

William Parkin and this eight-year-old gelding cleaned up at Devon and Cornwall, landing M&M lead rein classes at both.

7. Vean Night Flight

At NPS Area 25, Hilary Cowie rode the RIHS young rider winner to bag a Hickstead place.

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (21 June 2018), to find out how your county fared

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Two Dartmoor ponies demonstrated their impeccable temperaments, helping a group of diasadvantaged teenagers to complete a 15-mile moorland trek when their team leader suffered a sudden leg infection.

George and Smartie, who belong to the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, were taking part in the “Fresh Tracks” walk, which forms part of the British Army-organised Ten Tors challenge.

The Fresh Tracks programme caters for students who cannot tackle the full 35-55 mile, two-day hike but do not face the complex challenges of those taking part in the Jubilee Challenge, which is aimed at disabled teenagers.

“We were asked to set up the special Fresh Tracks category,” explained Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust spokesman Clare Stanton. “It runs as part of our Ponies Inspiring People programmes.

“We exist as a charity to promote and raise awareness of the ponies on the moor and show people why it’s important to keep them there and why we shouldn’t lose them.”

The programme invited 12 students from two local schools “with no pony experience or enthusiasm” to undertake a ten-week course in pony skills, moorland skills and first aid.

“We took 12 youngsters with no self-esteem, confidence or belief they could walk a mile let alone 15 miles across a rugged moorland landscape and also got them to camp out the night before,” said trek leader Dru Butterfield.

“Last Friday night (11 May) it was pouring with rain and cold and they were not in the best spirits. My night-before briefing was more of a bawling-out saying I was in doubt whether they were going to succeed.”

But it was experienced team leader Dru who nearly could not complete the challenge, as she nearly lost a pony and was then struck down with red and painful legs at mile four.

“We started out with helicopters giving us a wonderful display, eight paratroopers came down with Union Jacks and there was canon fire, and then nearly 3,000 very fit, well-trained and motivated teenagers leaving for the Ten Tors,” Dru said. “The two ponies had been incredibly well-behaved with all of that going on

“George did start side-stepping when the bagpipes started and I was thinking ‘I hope I can hold him’ when the halter decided to unclip. Fortunately with some help from our chairman Judy I managed to hold on and clip it back.

“We then led out the whole of the Jubilee Challenge with parents applauding, the local TV filming and bagpipes playing,” she said.

But as her students “started to get stronger”, Dru found herself getting increasingly weak.

“I know now I had a major infection in my legs,” she said. “Four miles in I had huge red swelling start but despite constant helicopters above us, the ponies kept us going.

“What we have on Dartmoor is a pony that evolved over many centuries a temperament and tenacity to deal with the terrain, an ability to deal with all sorts of environments and an ability to work with people. That particular day it got me ten miles in a lot of pain,” she said.

“I worked with a young man who held my hands last four miles while I was leaning across George and it got me through. I was in doubt if the kids would do it but on the day it was actually their trainer who nearly gave up. I’m normally chivvying them but in the end everyone was chivvying me.”

Not only did the normally tough Dru go down with an infection, but photographer Malcolm Snelgrove, who had been chronicling the programme, also suffered a low blood sugar episode.

“Malcolm had a stroke in November and it was his longest walk since recovering — he went low on sugar and had a blood pressure crash, so the two people who should know better made the whole thing much more dramatic!” Dru said. “He trains with the Bear Grylls team and is a real hard man and I’m usually pretty tough really!

Continues below…

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“I just want to pay enormous thanks to the ponies.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In this week’s edition, out on 24 May, don’t miss our “cob special”, including how to find the perfect cob, meet champion cob Our Cashel Blue and more.

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A family-run Dartmoor trekking centre is to close after 35 years for reasons including increasing rider weight.

Owner Dee Dee Wilkinson has cited a number of reasons for the closure of Babeny Farm, Poundsgate, on 2 September, including increasing costs and the limited time families can take holidays – but also the rising number of heavier customers.

“Our public liability [indemnity limit] has gone up to £20m, which means the cost of the insurance is too high, then it’s £85 every set of shoes, plus vets, feed, wormers — it all adds up,” she told H&H.

“We get about eight weeks a year of really good business, because families can only come in the school holidays, and the rest of the year is hard work and high costs.”

Mrs Wilkinson explained that her horses are “amazing” as they have to be safe and reliable enough for complete beginners to ride on treks.

“And people have the expectation that nothing will go wrong, which is nice, but they’re living animals and even when you’re completely safety-conscious like us, there’s a risk,” she said.

“Then there are the customers who are 5’ tall and up to 16 stone, and expect to be able to balance on a horse. We have to use bigger horses because of the weight ratio but then you’ve got a very small, round person on a big horse, which is an accident waiting to happen.

“You can’t source big enough, safe enough, horses for these people.”

Mrs Wilkinson said the most extreme case in terms of potential riders was a woman who was 5’4” and 25 stone.

“I’d have been putting her at risk if I put her on a horse,” she said.

“I was concerned that she had no core strength and would have fallen off, and it’s a long way up. We’ve got a weight limit of 16 stone, and that’s limited to an hour’s ride.

“It’s difficult; we’ve got a couple of horses who can manage but I think there are 30% more of these heavier riders now than when I took over running the centre in 2014.”

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Mrs Wilkinson will concentrate on the farming side of the business and the livery yard she runs at Babeny Farm, with her husband Darren. The trekking horses will be sold “when the right homes are found”.

“It’s very sad as Babeny has provided a trekking service to customers far and wide, internationally and nationally for many years,” she added. “It’s given numerous happy memories to people and for many their first ever experience of being near and riding a horse. We have no doubt that it will be very sadly missed.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

This week’s edition (10 May) features our full report from Badminton, including in-depth analysis, expert comment, pictures and more. Plus, read our feature on the options for retiring your horse and in this week’s vet clinic we look into the challenges of equine surgery.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A former racehorse who had wins and placings with Richard Johnson and A P McCoy has taken on a new role in Dartmoor.

Rio De Sivola has been assisting Verity Nicholls with drifts since he arrived at her Devon farm two and a half years ago.

The drifts, which involve gathering in the ponies from the moors in to check stock,and take place from the end of September through to mid-October.

“Although most people go out on quads, I ride an ex-racehorse gathering in,” Verity told H&H.

“Some other people still go out on horses but most use farm plods. You don’t get many racehorses.”

Eight-year-old “Rio” came from Nick Williams’ yard and belongs to a syndicate in London.

“He won with Richard Dunwoody and was second with A P McCoy,” said Verity.

“We had him to freshen him up, to see if we could get the buzz back, and since then he’s hunted and done drifts and cattle work.

“Horses have to be quite powerful to push the cattle as they will stand their ground. The horse almost has to puff themselves up and want to shift them.

“The ponies wind him up and it’s much more fast and furious [than with the cattle]. I take him out alongside quad bikes and go to the places the quads don’t go so much.”

Continued below…

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Verity runs a herd of Dartmoor ponies as well as training point-to-point horses.

“I’ve always used racehorses for the getting in,” she added.

“Some don’t take to it and some get too wound up. If you have a horse that has a brain and can cover the ground easily and quickly it’s brilliant. You feel like John Wayne.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

DJ Sara Cox was among the 40 riders to complete the first Dartmoor Derby.

Following a successful pilot last year, the event returned for its first official running on 23-26 September.

Riders, including a team from the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals, tackled a 50-mile route in guided groups, supported by ground crews over the three days.

“It was completely awesome; I loved it,” said Sara, who posted many photos and videos of the ride on her social media accounts.

The ride also raised £1,887 for the British Horse Society.

“We’ve been so pleased that this new riding adventure has attracted interest from around the world,” said founder Elaine Prior.

“So many people relish the chance to properly explore on horseback this iconic natural wonder in a safe, guided and very comfortable way.

“We are thrilled that several riders are already planning to return next year and look forward to developing this event further in 2017.”

Related articles:

• Sara Cox to take part in Dartmoor Derby
• The Dartmoor Derby: sheer heaven

The 2015 event attracted participants from as far as Austria, Essex and the Isle of Wight.

Half brought their own horses, while the rest rented experienced local equines through the organisers.

“This was the experience of a lifetime. What a brilliant three days I had riding my horse across beautiful and austere Dartmoor,” said Millie Foote, from Oxfordshire.

‘Sheer heaven’

H&H hunting editor Polly Portwin was among those to take part in the 2015 pilot ride.

“There is no doubt about it, the views on Dartmoor are just breathtaking and really must be seen to be believed,” she said.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Finding a way of binding reflective beads to ponies is the next step in a trial aimed at preventing equine deaths on Dartmoor’s roads.

Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society (DLPS) hopes that painting reflective stripes on animals that graze the moors could help stop them from being hit by traffic on roads across the moors at night.

Karla McKechnie, DLPS livestock protection officer, told H&H there have been 78 deaths of hill ponies, sheep and cattle on Dartmoor’s roads this year.

This autumn, the society trialled a paint on the coats of two ponies with the hope that it would stick for at least three months.

The trial was a success, but they now need to find a way of mixing it with a durable reflective component.

“The reflective beading we tried did not stay on very long,” Ms McKechnie said.

“Fingers crossed we should have something in the New Year.

“We are in 2015 — there has got to be a product out there.”

She said she is confident that a suitable mix will be found.

Ms McKechnie first had the idea after seeing a photo of reindeer in Finland with reflective paint sprayed on their antlers.

“If we can make it work, hopefully it will slow down the number of deaths on the roads,” she added.

“People are just not aware — we have a serious problem on Dartmoor.”

During the winter, animals often come down to the roads to seek shelter and lick salt off the gritted surfaces.

By October, the number of livestock deaths this year was already higher than the total for 2014.

Speaking to H&H earlier this year, Charlotte Faulkner of the Dartmor Hill Pony Association said she thought it was a “really brilliant idea”.

Tony Tyler, of World Horse Welfare, added: “Anything that can help bring the number of injuries down should be welcomed, provided it does no harm to the ponies.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Townend Schubert stood Blue Chip Native BSPS Heritage Supreme champion at Olympia yesterday (21 December), but many more were left celebrating when 12 breed winners were crowned. Scroll down to see pictures of each one in action

Fell

The overall winner was also the best Fell. “I spotted Townend Schubert on the Fells as a foal and instantly took to him, so I jumped at the chance to buy him as an unbroken three-year-old,” said owner/rider Rebecca Penny of the six-year-old stallion, who is produced by Aimee Devane. “Schubert came out this year with the intention of just testing him in a few open classes — little did I expect him to qualify for Olympia by standing champion at Suffolk county.”

Welsh section D

Katie Williams’ Ringside Game Over finished second overall and was crowned best Welsh section D. Ridden by Alex Williams, the seven-year-old stallion is by Llanarth Old Fashion out of Sydenham Gooseberry.

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Highland

The winning Highland was Mrs M Stanford’s Benbreac Of Croila, who was partnered by Matthew Cooper to overall third place. It caps a stellar year for the seven-year-old stallion, by Ulleam Of Croila, who won the Torne Valley £1,000 final at North Of England and stood Heritage supreme at the BSPS summer championships.

Welsh section C

Menai Celtic Hero, owned by Irene Gawith and ridden by Fiona Cork, was the best Welsh section C. Irene bought the seven-year-old gelding by Menai Caderivid as a foal and Fiona gained the ride in February this year.

Dales

Sarah Field’s Carrock Billy Boy-sired Tarbarl Matthew was crowned the best Dales. The eight-year-old stallion joined Sarah’s yard in 2013. “This year he has exceeded all expectations — qualifying for Horse of the Year Show first time out and then qualifying for Olympia,” said Sarah.

Connemara

The winning Connemara was Sandra Burton’s Banks Timber. The seven-year-old stallion, by Teglstrup Duke, only started his ridden career in March after being successful in-hand.

Welsh section A

Powys Sprite finished best of the Welsh section As for the second year running, ridden by India Latter. “Sprite is a real family favourite and cheeky — he likes to blow raspberries at people at home if they’re on the yard and not giving him any attention,” said Debbie.

Welsh section B

This was the fifth consecutive year that Kathleen Scott’s Cadlanvalley Sandpiper, ridden by Collette Green, competed at Olympia and the nine-year-old by Eyarth Troy walked away with the Welsh section B prize.

Dartmoor

Eleven-year-old Okeleat Navigator, owned by Debbie Barr and ridden by Alice Barr, was crowned best Dartmoor. This is the stallion’s third year under saddle and the third time he has qualified for Olympia.

Exmoor

The Exmoor title went to the sole representative Moonpenny Aquarius, owned by Mrs M Bryant and ridden by Elizabeth Etchells. The eight-year-old by Frithesden Phoenix has only been in the show ring a handful of times this term due to juggling dressage, showjumping, eventing and working hunter classes. “To win the breed Olympia qualifier for the second year running is the icing on the cake. He proves the versatility of an Exmoor,” said Elizabeth.

Shetland

The winning Shetland, Mrs A Stevens’ Brinleyview Camanchee ridden by Gemma Pallett, has barely been out of the prizes this season. The 12-year-old son of Womble Of Crafton’s tally includes standing supreme at the Shetland breed show and winning the Blue Riband small breeds title at the Heritage championships.

New Forest

Only one New Forest pony contested the championship — Mr G Jeffries’ Applewitch Magister, ridden by Charlotte Jenkins. It was an emotional moment for the 13-year-old stallion’s connections, as the pony’s owner Trudy Jeffries died earlier this year.

“We have been determined to have a season Trudy would be proud of,” said Charlotte.

Don’t miss the full Olympia report, including a column by conformation judge Henrietta Knight, in the 24 December issue of Horse & Hound magazine

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Reflective paint could soon be daubed onto ponies roaming Dartmoor to help stop them from being hit by cars.

The idea is being trialled by the Dartmoor Livestock Protection Society (DLPS), which helps ponies, sheep and cattle in danger or distress on Dartmoor.

It is currently testing the paint on two ponies to see if it sticks to their coats.

If it does, a reflective component will then be added to the paint.

There are plans to use it across the livestock that grazes on the moors, including sheep and cattle as well as the hill ponies.

Karla McKechnie, DLPS livestock protection officer, said she had the idea after seeing a photo of reflective paint sprayed onto reindeers’ antlers in Finland.

“I thought ‘that would be fantastic if we could put that on our animals in Dartmoor,’” she told H&H.

They have now found a supplier and the paint has so far stayed on the test ponies for nearly three weeks.

Ms McKechnie added that they want the paint to stick for at least three months.

“[Road accidents] are a really big problem — we have got mile after mile of unfenced roads in Dartmoor,” she said.

“The injuries are awful. It is very often we see broken bones.”

During the winter months, animals will often come to the roads to seek shelter and lick salt off the surfaces when they have been gritted.

There have so far been 63 livestock deaths on the Dartmoor’s roads this year.

“The numbers are up on last year and we are only in October — we have got two dark months to come,” said Ms McKechnie.

“Dartmoor is a working landscape and the welfare of the animals is our top priority.

“We need to do something to make motorists aware.”

Charlotte Faulkner, of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, told H&H that she thinks it is a “really brilliant idea”.

“I think it is absolutely fantastic — I would love it to work,” she said.

“Coming up to the long, dark nights it would be really beneficial.”

She added that if it reduces the suffering of ponies and motorists then she would be “delighted”.

World Horse Welfare deputy chief executive Tony Tyler said told H&H that areas, including Dartmoor, have seen a reduction in traffic accidents by using reflective collars.

“Anything that can help bring the number of injuries down should be welcomed, provided it does no harm to the ponies,” he said.

“Although some people may find the paint unsightly it is better than seeing a pony injured by a vehicle and we look forward to seeing the results of the scheme once it is rolled out.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Camping with your horse at the end of September might not be everyone’s idea of the perfect way to spend a weekend, but Dartmoor has long held a special place in my heart, so simply hearing the words “Dartmoor Derby” immediately made me prick my ears.

With fond memories of family holidays that always seemed to involve a stop by the River Dart and more recent hunting trips on the moor with our own horses, this magical area intrigues me. For that reason there was no doubt the Dartmoor Derby was an event I wanted to learn more about so it was great to get involved in the pilot weekend.

The brainchild of Elaine Prior — founder of the Dartmoor-based riding holiday company Liberty Trails — the event was loosely inspired by Elaine’s experience of African riding safaris which she combined with visions of the Mongol Derby. Having not experienced either of these first-hand, I was able to take a fresh look at the whole concept and to enjoy it rather than making comparisons in my head.

The brief was that we would be riding approximately 25 miles per day on two consecutive days with an overnight luxury camping trip, with hotel stays the night before and the night after the ride.

Following a rendezvous on the M4 where I collected Lucy Higginson — former editor of H&H — and after a typical Friday-night motorway journey, we finally met up with other members of the group at the Arundell Arms in Lifton where we were all staying on the first night.

Radio DJ Sara Cox was one of the fellow riders joining visitors from America and different regions within the UK, all equally as excited to take on new horses and new country the next day.

We also learned that four-star eventer and Dartmoor Derby ambassador Lucy Weigersma would be joining us on Saturday night — perfect for those who wanted to ask her about her recent success at Burghley so soon after giving birth to her first child.

Part of the initial planning was to embrace the region by using local suppliers wherever possible and it was clear that this was a winning strategy after the delicious evening meal we all enjoyed. Breakfast on Saturday morning was a slightly more tense affair with perhaps the reality of what laid ahead suddenly dawning on everyone.

Clothing selection was one concern with everybody packing waterproofs and plenty of layers, but with the sun streaming through the windows it was clear they just weren’t going to be necessary.

With three groups heading off to different starting points we said our farewells and any last-minute fears soon melted away once the scenic drive across the moor to the stables commenced.

A number of horses were tied up in the yard when we pulled into Meldon, the home of Mandi and Phil Heard. It was reminiscent of days on the playground where two team captains picked their favourites when just two horses were left for allocation and my name was not called forward. I took one look at the remaining horse and shrugged at him before we tentatively made our way over to the mounting block.

Storm, a 16.2hh bay gelding could not have been a better ride for the whole two days. Sure-footed and agile with good paces and a nice, soft mouth; I think I had the best draw of all.

In fact, everybody who had horses from Mandi — in her first season as joint-master of the Lamerton — and her husband Phil who was our guide for the duration of the weekend, was perfectly matched and probably felt they were on the best horse in the yard too!

There is no doubt about it, the views on Dartmoor are just breathtaking and really must be seen to be believed.

I was delighted to be wearing a rather snazzy headcam provided by www.equine-productions.com in association with their technology partners Lyte. The super-light gadget had previously been used by jockeys in the Grand National earlier this year. Barely knowing it was attached to my hat was great, although at times I had to remember not to say out loud what I might have been thinking! Massive thanks to all those who made it possible.

With barely a cloud in the sky, we were seeing Dartmoor at its’ best.

Phil’s knowledge of the moor is encylopaedic and being a relaxed character, he has a knack of putting everyone around him at ease while instantly gaining their respect.

Although everything was meticulously planned with comfortable saddles (Western-style available upon request), it was refreshing not to be bogged down in too much health and safety talk before setting off, although we had all completed quite comprehensive forms regarding our riding experience some weeks prior to the event so nothing was left to chance.

At the risk of sounding like this was a gastronomic experience and not a riding holiday, lunch on the moor was a sight to behold. With 360 degree views of the moor and surrounding countryside, two of the three separate groups met up and were greeted by a white tablecloth and a wonderful spread including Caesar salad, homemade scotch eggs and individual trifles.

Everyone took it in turn to hold the horses and the on-call farrier also appeared to tap on a couple of shoes that had come adrift in the peat along the way.

Fed and watered we set off for yet more exhilarating riding across the moor and encountered some tricky terrain.

I was particularly grateful to be mounted on a horse that understood the steep banks with granite boulders and little narrow passes to get across brooks and bogs which are not an every day occurrence in the Shires. Our own hunters always instantly adjusted very well to hunting on the moor when we visited so I wouldn’t be afraid to take one of them another time. In fact, one of the hirelings in our group had only been over from Ireland three weeks and he was already crossing already the ground like a true native.

With about 25 miles under out belt, the first glimpse of the luxury campsite came into view along with the specially created individual turnout paddocks for the horses. For those considering taking their own horse, just knowing that your horse was not at risk of being kicked after a long day would help to alleviate any concerns.

Camping isn’t a passion of mine but thankfully the accommodation lived up to its “luxury” billing. The yurts were situated overlooking the most glorious valley with a river down below where the campfire and dining tent was set up.

Unbelievably, for those who wanted a hot shower these were available although on a hot afternoon, the river might have been just as tempting.

With three single beds inside, all with thick duvets and comfortable pillows, I was particularly delighted to see the heater, a delicious chocolate waiting on the pillow at bedtime and even an extension lead for plugging in my now-flagging mobile phone. Amazingly I managed to have phone reception for most of the day which was brilliant for sending pictures and keeping in touch but did nothing for my battery life!

Day two welcomed us with another sunny start and a breakfast buffet to rival any hotel offering. Quite how they managed to provide such delicious hot food in the middle of a field remains a mystery to me but those taking part next year can be sure they won’t need to pack any emergency rations in case of hunger.

The horses all appeared more refreshed and ready for their next ride than some of my fellow riders. Although there were no signs that anybody was suffering severely, there were definitely a few muscles that had been tested more than they had for some time. Any shoes that were lost on Saturday afternoon were magically replaced overnight.

The riding on Sunday was spectacular with views to die for at almost every turn. Lunch by Fernworthy reservoir was worthy of a painting with all the horses tied up to a rail while we picnicked nearby.

Although we were not crossing quite such demanding country as the day before, this enabled us all to kick on where the route permitted. Some groups even managed to get all four legs off the ground over a cross-country course they encountered en route.

Overall, the fitness of the horses was remarkable and there wasn’t one that showed any sign of fatigue after two long days.

Along with the rest of us, Sara Cox was buzzing at the end of the second day. We were all on a high, and nobody was quite ready to dismount and admit that it was all over, bringing back those emotions felt at the end of Pony Club camp when departing from your new friends.

After two long days in the saddle, it was sheer heaven to walk into Bovey Castle for our final night. The former manor house is a stylish and luxurious hotel with magnificent views all around. It was the perfect retreat for everyone to wind down over a delicious meal while recalling stories of the past few days.

It was a truly remarkable weekend and with options to camp, stay in luxury or mid-range hotels or a combination of the two, the Dartmoor Derby 2016 is definitely worth considering – see www.liberty-trails.com for more details.

Polly

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Devon eventer Mary King is “excited” about a new 100km trail ride across Dartmoor.

The Dartmoor Derby, taking place next September, is inspired by the Mongol Derby, but will be less gruelling.

It will take in open moorland, gorse, forests and ancient stone circles.

Riders can take their own horses or ride borrowed mounts on the three- to five-day ride.

“We’ve had guests from all over the world riding with us and the feedback we’ve had is that Dartmoor is fantastic,” Elaine Prior of organisers Liberty Trails told H&H.

“There are vast areas that can only be seen if you are a keen rider.”

While the ride is long-distance — participants will cover at least 100km in total — it is not a race and combinations do not need endurance experience.

A pilot event over 80km will take place later this month (24-28 September) before next year’s full ride, with 15 places open to the public.

There will be additional places for celebrities, including DJ Sara Cox and H&H’s hunting editor Polly Portwin.

British eventers Mary King and Lucy Wiegersma have agreed to be ambassadors for the derby, as has actor and president of the British Horse Society Martin Clunes.

“As someone who has enjoyed exploring Dartmoor for much of my life, I’m delighted it is hosting this innovative ride,” said Mary (pictured, top).

“Dartmoor’s scenery is as beautiful as you will find anywhere in the world, and the terrain provides terrific riding.”

For more information visit: www.dartmoorderby.com

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A row has erupted over Dartmoor hill ponies after one charity suggested using them for human consumption could safeguard their future.

However, South West Equine Protection has blasted the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association’s (DHPA) suggestion that Dartmoor ponies should be eaten.

In a letter to SWEP, Charlotte Faulkner from the DHPA wrote that it was “understandably an upsetting subject” but that “Dartmoor pony herders will only keep their herds if they have a sustainable market for them”.

She added: “Stangely, having a meat trade should improve ponies chances of finding a new home at sales.”

However, SWEP is staunchly against the idea.

Becky Treeby from SWEP said: “We will never support overbreeding or killing ponies for profit.”

The organisation wants to promote “responsible breeding”.

“We don’t want to see the meat industry go ahead; we want to produce good quality Dartmoors,” Ms Treeby said.

Princess Anne created a media storm last year when she mentioned the idea of eating horsemeat as a potential solution to the ongoing equine welfare problem (news, 21 November).

Earlier this year H&H reported on concerns for the future of the hill breed after the annual autumn sale was ended. In the mid-fifties, between 500 and 600 Dartmoor ponies were sold in the Tavistock market. In 2013 only 14 of the 90 ponies entered were sold, at an average price of 11-12gns.

The Friends of Dartmoor Hill Pony — also run by Charlotte Faulkner — is undertaking a three-year contraception pilot.

“We find it hypocritical that on the one hand she’s saying save the ponies, and on the other saying ‘serve them up on a plate’,” added Ms Treeby.

However, World Horse Welfare does not dismiss the idea. The charity’s Roly Owers said: “This recent proposal is another potential option, especially in the current UK horse crisis, to help protect the Dartmoor pony herd, albeit one that many may find upsetting. Horse slaughter is a very emotive subject, but we believe it should be an available route for owners.

“Horse slaughter should never be seen as a panacea for reckless overbreeding.”

Ms Faulkner did not respond to H&H’s calls.

However, in a statement she said: “The first solution is to breed fewer ponies. The next is to wait until foals are three and put them in to the human food chain.

“Using both solutions would mean the farmers could breed from fewer ponies and keep the offspring for three years. This project has support from some of the hoteliers on the moor and we are confident others will follow.”

She added that a “compassionate” abbattoir had already been found.

The Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group said it had discussed the idea also.

“Some owners suggested that as the normal horsemeat market is now poor, increased prices per kilo could be achieved by presenting Exmoor pony meat as a speciality meat, to be sold in restaurants.”

However it was decided that there would be “negative implications”. “All of the farmers represented would prefer the foals to find good homes, than face slaughter,” she added.

This news story was first published in H&H magazine (2 October 2014).

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Police say a foal found with multiple lacerations on Dartmoor had been “deliberately mutilated”.

The 2-month-old foal was discovered on moorland at Yennadon Down, Dousland Yelverton at around on Tuesday (23 July).

Police told H&H that the foal had had its ear cut off, its genitalia cut off and its eye removed.

Andy Oliver from West Devon Police told H&H: “This was a particularly nasty and distressing incident.

“We are keeping an open mind but there has been some evidence to suggest it may have been killed in a ritualistic manner.

“It looks like there were some [burn] marks on the grass,” he explained.

The charity South West Equine Protection is concerned that Dartmoor ponies are now easy targets as they have become used to be being fed by humans.

A spokesman for the charity said: “We do not know if the desecration and mutilation of this foal took place when he was alive or once he was dead or how many people were involved.

“Either way it is criminal damage as the foal is owned by someone.

“If the foal was still alive and not properly sedated these action would have caused extreme pain, suffering and distress.”

There have been 3 other reports of similar attacks on horses and ponies in the area during the last 12 months.

Police are urging anyone who has any information about the incident to contact them on 101 quoting log 918 of 23/07/13 or call Crimsteoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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A Dartmoor farmer is offering the UK’s only cattle driving horse riding holidays to allow competent riders the chance to bring their own horses for a taste of the cowboy life.

The use of horses to round up animals on the moor goes back centuries and Philip Heard, who farms 660 acres at Meldon near Okehampton, is one of a small number keeping this tradition alive.

He said: “Quad bikes have taken over on many farms over the past 20 years but we continue to use horses due to the terrain.

“We believe the cattle are quieter and move at a gentler pace when moved on horseback. Cattle have a natural respect for horses, while horses soon learn to pre-empt what the cattle are going to do.”

Phil rides Western style, while his wife Mandi rides English, so either is acceptable for visitors.

Each drive takes about three hours and covers about eight km as the cattle are pushed out beyond High Willhayes and Yes Tor to the middle of the moors.

Phil says cattle driving on horseback enables riders to capture the real magic of the moors with the horses enjoying the sense of freedom riding in vast open spaces gives.

There are various options for “wannabe” cowboys, from attending on just one day to staying at the local inn and helping for a week.

The next round-up is on 18-19 June, including a natural horsemanship clinic but there are various other activities through the year until September.

Prices range from £299 for two nights to £749 for a week.

More details can be found at www.dartmoorridingholidays.co.uk.

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An appeal has been launched to save Dartmoor hill ponies from going for slaughter.

Last year 700 ponies were culled on Dartmoor in an effort to control numbers, and around 900 foals are born annually.

Mary Tyrer set up a similar appeal last year, selling 42 ponies, and has at least 25 to sell this year.

“If I don’t find homes for them, they’ll be shot,” said Mrs Tyrer, a housewife.

Besides the ponies, which cost £30, the group has cob-crosses for sale (£150) and Arab-crosses (£300).

Mrs Tyrer says this reflects the amount the owners would get if they sold them for meat.

“All of them can be turned into riding ponies,” said Mrs Tyrer, who vets all prospective buyers. “It depends how they have been treated how long that takes.”

Teresa Mazurek bought a roan colt, Shadowfax, last year, and is delighted with her purchase.

“I hope to use Shadowfax for riding and driving,” said Teresa. “Within days he learned to trust me and is intelligent and patient.”

Opinions differ

There are varying views on whether creating a new market for these unwanted, and possibly poor quality, ponies is sensible.

Clare Stanton of the Dartmoor Heritage Pony Trust said that culling is a humane option in the short term.

“It’s admirable that Mary Tyrer is trying to solve this situation, but we don’t want any ponies going to homes which can’t cope,” she said.

“Crucially, we need to go a step further and prevent so many foals of poor quality being produced — which means removing stallions.”

But Charlotte Faulkner, secretary of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association, welcomed the appeal.

“[Taking stallions off the moor] is not enough,” she said. “The bigger picture is securing habitats for rare species of flora and fauna on Dartmoor using the ponies as a tool of ecology.

“The ponies we take off are a by-product of that conservation and deserve a future.”

To get involved, go to the group’s Facebook page or email mary.tyrer@hotmail.com

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Next year’s British Horse Society (BHS) TREC Championship of Great Britain will be held in the Dartmoor National Park on 3-4 September 2011.

The championship venue, Holwell Lawn, Widecombe in the Moor, is situated against the backdrop of Hay Tor, in the heart of the national park.

The championship will offer classes for level 2 and 3 individuals and pairs, and level 4 individuals.

The level 3 and 4 competitors can expect challenging POR (orienteering) routes, including work at higher altitude with steep climbs and descents, while the PTV (cross-country trial) will run over a cross-country course and will include natural obstacles such as water, inclines and woodland.

BHS senior executive Sarah Phillips said: “We are delighted that the 2011 BHS TREC Championship will be held at such an established venue as Holwell Lawn and we are looking forward to welcoming the TREC community to the championship.”

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Fans of Dartmoor ponies have an early chance to buy moor-bred ponies this year, at a sale of youngstock on Saturday (19 June).

Dartmoor traditionally holds its drift sales in October, but a number of ponies were kept back from last year’s sales, have been handled and are now ready to be sold.

“Buyers get a head-start by buying these ponies and can move on to the next stage of their training,” said Charlotte Faulkner of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association.

Sale catalogues are available from auctioneers Rendells of Chagford, tel:01647 432277. Or contact Mrs Faulkner for more information, tel:01364 631036.

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I was looking forward to cracking on with the youngsters over the four-day Easter weekend — until I went down with the Norovirus after a meal out on Good Friday, which totally wiped me out.

So, there I was at 4pm on Easter Saturday, at the age of 27, on the phone to my mum begging for her to take me home and make me better. Good old mum! Despite feeling terrible, I did manage to ride on Easter Sunday and the Monday. Although I use the term ‘ride’ very loosely — more like bobbled about on top as my stomach muscles complained bitterly.

Luckily by the following weekend I had recovered enough to head off to BSPS Area 16 with Jacob (my Section C stallion) and Spud (Carol Dutton’s Connemara stallion) for the RIHS qualifier. Both the boys had been out to BSPS 15A without me mid-week and they had finished 3rd and 4th respectively.

It was lovely to be back at an outdoor show with great rings and the sun was shining, which in my mind means the season has really begun. Spud did a good go round with the others, but on the day clearly wasn’t the judges type as we were pulled in towards the lower end. His show was not my best piece of riding, so we ended up out of the top six. But it was great to see Claire’s niece taking a deserved win on her Connemara, Glencarrig Duke.

I came out the ring and did a quick swap onto Jacob, who was in the next class. He flew around the ring, but was pulled in down the line. He did a nice show and I was pleased to be pulled all the way up to 4th. So now Jacob has had two 4th’s and one 3rd in his qualifiers — good but not yet good enough!

I don’t bounce as well as I used to!

After the show I headed up to ride my young Dartmoor, Francis. After our recent blip he has been going really nicely, so we tried a little canter. He was a very good boy and although we had a little buck into it, he seemed to get the hang of it.

The next day we did the same thing and he felt relaxed so I thought I would try to keep the canter all the way round the school. This was fine until the yard dog stuck his head through the fence and barked. Now Francis is quite use to dogs, but I think this took him by surprise. His head went down and, in that split second I made the wrong decision to pull it up and kick him forward. Mistake! Francis launched himself into the air and then shot sideways out from underneath me. I knew I was going to hit the deck — he was far too quick and the neck strap was nowhere in sight!

It isn’t far to fall, but I was pretty shocked to be on the ground and I had a nice mark on my hat where I had managed to land on my head. I am a bit paranoid about falling off youngsters as the first fall can really worry them, and because Francis is quite nervous I thought this might take him right back to the beginning, but thankfully he was fine. I got back on and we did a few more walks and trots around the school to regain our confidence and then called it a day.

I am pleased to report that we have managed to canter again since, and I haven’t hit the deck yet! I’d rather not test my bounce factor out again if I can help it; once every couple of years is fine for me. I don’t bounce as well as I use to!

Until next time

Chloe

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A pony charity in the south west is appealing to locals to keep an eye on Dartmoor ponies in the cold weather and snow.

The South West Equine Protection is worried that due to the cold weather and heavy snowfall many Dartmoor ponies do not have access to food and water. And last night the snowfall over the moors was especially heavy (12 January).

SWEP recently appealed to the public for food for the ponies and some hay has now been brought to the moors by locals and the charity — but the SWEP is now worried about the lack of water.

“We’re especially concerned about the Roborough Downs area as there is no natural source of water there so we put troughs out — but they are all frozen up,” said a spokesman from SWEP.

“There is also little grazing on that part so ponies there are getting in trouble quicker than on the open moors. There’s no value in what grass there is either so the ponies are now living on their bodyweight.

“We are urging locals and dog walkers to check water troughs to ensure they are not frozen up, and if they are to break the ice for the ponies. The pipes to the troughs are also frozen so we are trying to go round filling them up.”

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Dartmoor ponies are being put back to work on the land in a new scheme run by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT).

The trust is using a herd of 26 ponies, all owned by local farmers, to help with the management and conservation of some of the best heath land in Dartmoor.

“The trust leases 82 hectares of moorland from the Forestry Commission at Bellever, but the land is surrounded by conifer plantations, which aren’t native to the area,” explained DPHT manager Dru Butterfield. “So we have to remove saplings that grow in the moorland to encourage the growth of the heather.”

“However, instead of using tractors and quad bikes, we are using native ponies and volunteers — a cleaner, greener way of conserving Dartmoor.”

Volunteers work a pair of ponies to drag felled trees to other areas of the moor and pull a chain harrow to rake and remove the molinia, encouraging the natural heather to regenerate.

“We do have to train the ponies to wear the harness, but they are incredibly placid and calm, very quick learners and just love working,” Dru told H&H.

“They have the least impact on the landscape, and are able to access relatively inaccessible areas. It seems ideal to use the natural residents of the land to carry out conservation.”

Natural England has offered a funding grant, which will pay for the equipment to continue this project for the next ten years.

Dru added: “We are also hoping this will promote the temperament and versatility of the Dartmoor pony, showing that anyone can use and enjoy these ponies even if they are too small to ride.”

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EU transportation regulations are being blamed for a drop in sales of Dartmoor ponies.

The number of ponies sold decreased for the second successive year in the October sales. In 2007, 100% of ponies presented changed hands — in 2009, only 66% sold.

Transport rules introduced two years ago permit no more than four semi-feral horses to a partitioned area in a box, and one to each partition on a ferry. Dartmoor pony experts argue their ponies travel happily together in larger numbers and say the legislation is deterring buyers.

“Irish buyers used to take 50 home for backing and schooling, now they will take only 25,” said Charlotte Faulkner of the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association. “Another buyer would always take eight and he can’t afford to drive here for just four. It doesn’t even pay for his fuel. My ponies are being shot at the doorstep — they have nowhere to go.”

Semi-feral pony associations are trying to find a solution with Defra for transporting these ponies economically.

A Defra spokesman said: “EU rules aim to improve welfare, especially for unbroken horses and ponies, during transport.”

The Society for the Welfare of Horses and Ponies (SWHP) in Monmouth is full, thanks to large numbers of unwanted ponies.

The SWHP’s Penny Compton said: “With EU regulations, the problem is worsening as there is no market for people to sell their horse on. The only answer is to stop indiscriminate breeding. The recession only sharpens welfare problems that exist regardless of economic climate.”

But Dartmoor pony experts are caught between two stools. Natural England wants more ponies as they improve the moorland, but when taken off the moor, they need to find a home.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (22 October, ’09)

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People with physical or learning disabilities will be able to gain new life skills through interaction with Dartmoor ponies at a new centre.

The Ponies Inspiring People project, at Occombe Farm, Torbay, South Devon will enable disabled riders to take part in activities such as grooming, mucking out, go on guided walks and to tackle obstacle courses.

The project was set up by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust and is primarily funded by the Clare Milne Trust and Awards for All. Recruiting of staff and volunteers is currently taking place and the first course is due to take place on 20 May.

Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust charity manager Dru Butterfield said: “There is no similar programme running in the west of England, but there is substantial proof worldwide that interaction with horses or ponies is extremely beneficial, developing emotional and physical capabilities.”

She added: “We are looking at ways of creating bonds with animals and building on life skills people already have to build their confidence and self-esteem.”

Occombe Farm, an organic farm with a strong educational remit and a year-round events programme, is a good base for the project because of its accessible location and existing good facilities for people with disabilities.

The ponies will be part of the farm’s conservation grazing scheme, helping to maintain wildlife areas in good condition and providing another interesting learning point for school groups and the wider public.

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