Bob Beaty and his granddaughter Bronte Crosby enjoyed a remarkable day at the Fell Pony Society’s 2026 Stallion and Colt Show (9 May), held in the grounds of Dalemain House near Ullswater, by kind permission of the Hasell McCosh family.

Their four-year-old Oscar II – bought as a two-year-old through the annual Fell Pony Society sale – was Dorset-based judge Michael Goddard’s choice for the stallion championship and supreme, and their home-bred eight-year-old Stennerskeugh Nicholas claimed the gelding spoils.

Both ponies were handled by Bronte, who was delighted to have proud granddad Bob ring-side to share this special achievement.

“My supreme and reserve supreme were two of the nicest stallions I have seen in a long time,” said judge Michael. “Both displayed active, forward movement, with great limbs, flat bone and excellent feet.”

Bronte and Nicholas were closely followed by another family duo in the gelding championship at the Fell Pony Society’s 2026 Stallion and Colt Show. This was Charlotte Pattinson with two-year-old Guards Maestro, bred by her grandmother Margaret Dixon, whose family has been breeding the Guards ponies for over a century.

“The champion and reserve geldings were also good pony types,” said Michael. “Each showed an excellent active walk and were tracking up well, with deep bodies, strong limbs and the look of ponies capable of doing a good day’s work.”

Another two-year-old received the youngstock champion’s sash, Sarah Clayton’s Setmabanning Malcolm, with David Thompson’s yearling Drybarrows Kirkstone finishing reserve, shown by Tom Pearson.

David and Tom also fielded the reserve champion stallion and eventual overall reserve supreme, eight-year-old Drybarrows Dynasty.

Michael admitted, however, that the highlight of his day was judging the driving class.

His winner was Tom Lloyd’s pair of Hades Hill ponies, Hades Hill Little Prince and Hades Hill Little Pearl, with Mark Jopling’s team of Hotchberry ponies in reserve. Both exhibits provided a welcome spectacle for the crowd.

Isabel Hayes won the class for ridden stallions and geldings with the six-year-old Ringstone Prince, but it was Anna Metcalfe’s charming mare Greenholme Kipper, bred by the Potter family, who topped a highly competitive Horse of the Year Show qualifying class judged by Gill Cowell and Judy Fairburn. This is the second time consecutively for the pair to claim a golden ticket here.

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Five-year-old Fell stallion Bracklinn Sonny Bill secured the 2026 Windsor M&M in-hand championship, led by his breeder Alistair Smith in the Castle Arena.

The Horse & Hound supreme mountain and moorland (M&M) in-hand championship at Royal Windsor Horse Show is always a treat and this year proved no different.

The young stallion, known at home as Guardian, is owned by Leah Cassell, who fell in love after spotting him at a Fell Pony Society show as a foal.

He is currently in his novice season under saddle with Hollie Mcgauley, who was there along with Leah’s mum Lindsay to watch the momentous victory.

“As soon as I saw him, I was like, ‘Mum, Hollie – I want him,” Leah said. “From that day on, we were talking about getting him, and then we finally managed to get him and he came home to us.

“Since then, it’s just been a dream. We’ve never won a championship quite as big as this.”

Guardian has taken well to the ridden job.

“As soon as we got on him, you just knew he loved doing it,” Hollie said.

“As a four-year-old, he used to watch the riddens in the arena, and he’d just stand and watch like, ‘I’m going to do this one day then’.”

Leah added: “He’s been really straightforward”.

Guardian is by Bracklinn Jackpot and out of Auckside Poppy.

His proud breeder and handler, Alistair, said: “It’s a brilliant atmosphere and to come down and be able to show a homebred pony here that these girls have done a great job producing, I’ve had a great day.

“I can take no credit for the way he looks, that’s down to them.”

Guardian graduated to the supreme after taking the fell championship earlier in the day, in front of The King’s home-bred three-year-old filly Windsor Curlew, shown by Lizzie Briant.

Reserve in the 2026 Windsor M&M in-hand championship was the ever-consistent Welsh section A Hoekhorst Example (Harry).

Harry is owned by Jennifer Hughes, and was led by his producer Aliya Khan. The stallion was also breed champion here last year, and reigned supreme at Windsor in 2024. He has also won under saddle at the Royal Welsh Show five times.

Aliya said: “It’s my first time leading him. He’s the easiest, quietest stallion. You don’t know you have him around. He’s really cool.”

While Harry is a seasoned competitor here, it was Aliya’s first time in the main ring at Royal Windsor.

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The craftspeople who made six rocking horses for The late Queen said it was only fitting to immortalise Her Majesty’s beloved pony Emma to mark what would have been her 100th birthday.

Twins Marc and Tony Stevensons’ Stevenson Brothers created the replica of the Fell mare, who touched hearts worldwide as she stood by the Long Walk at Windsor Castle during her owner’s last journey, with the blessing of her son The King.

The horse was introduced to Terry Pendry, The Queen’s stud groom and manager, and the real Emma at Windsor Castle last week.

“She was sniffing it all over, really nuzzling it, it was quite lovely,” Marc Stevenson told H&H. “Terry said the rocking horse looked a little in foal, which Emma was when Terry bought her, all those years ago. A bit of me wondered whether she thought this was her foal, so we’re slimming her down a tad.”

Stevenson Brothers had made rocking horses for The late Queen’s 80th and 90th birthdays, and her jubilees, so “we had to make one for her 100th”, Marc said.

“It’s been something we wanted to do for a long time,” he explained. “I’d photographed Emma before but it was the funeral that did it. It was lovely Terry Pendry had taken Emma to stand by the Long Walk to pay her last respects, a very poignant moment, and I thought ‘We have to do this’.”

Marc mentioned the idea to make Emma to The King’s former crown equerry Toby Brown, when Stevensons presented His Majesty with his own rocking horse to mark his coronation.

“Through conversations with Toby Brown, word was requested to make a replica of Emma, in memory of Her Majesty, and to support the Fell Pony Society,” he said. “So Toby went to His Majesty and said that’s what we would like to do, and the message came back that it was a good idea, and thank you very much. The idea’s been in gestation for nearly four years but it seemed very fitting to kick on and make it happen for the centenary.

“We’ve got a very talented team here, of craftspeople, carvers, artists, restorers and talented saddler and business partner Sue Russell, who runs it all.”

Stevensons will be making a limited number of rocking Emmas, taking on board small tweaks suggested by Mr Pendry, and for each one sold, the company will make a donation to the Fell Pony Society. The King is the patron of the society, as was The late Queen.

“Terry’s very constructive; he judges horses and ponies, and knows Emma intimately so I wanted to check that he was happy we’d got her shape right, and he was very pleased with her,” Marc said. “We stood back and looked at the rocking horse and at Emma, and he said ‘Yes’, we’d got the shape right. We’d got her feather nice and straight on her lower limbs, just as the breeders in Cumbria like it to be, and head and shape just right.

“We’re going to make her in oak, to get the grain coming through and a bit more texture, and she won’t be glossy, she’ll be semi-matte. We do our own silk scarves too – I’m looking at a picture of Her Majesty wearing a Stevenson Brothers scarf – and they will come with her, scarf and photograph. And it’s nice to support the society; our rare breeds need looking after and it’s an honour to support them.”

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An amateur rider and her home-produced Fell stallion took to the centre line at the London International Horse Show after winning the 2024 BSPS ridden M&M supreme championship final.

Victoria Taylor and her own Birkettbank Master John (Jay) were one of four Fell pony finalists to compete. After the ride section, they stood in second position with scores of 43 and 45, respectively, from ride judges Philip Hilton and Marilyn Ludlow.

Conformation judges Amanda McHale and Helen Starkie agreed on the Greenholme Elect eight-year-old’s type and quality, scoring him 44 and 47, respectively, putting him on a final winning total of 179/200.

“I can’t even say I’ve ever dreamed of this before as it seems so far away from the possible for an amateur like me,” said Victoria.

Victoria’s mother Jane Sonnex bought Jay unseen from his breeder Robert Briggs, who led him to win the Fell Pony Society stallion show youngstock championship when he was a two-year-old.

“He was then broken by Sam Roberts and had a couple of novice years, though he’s never done an awful lot,” Victoria continued. “He went to HOYS and finished in the top few on his first visit there in 2022. He then had a very quiet year last season as I had my second baby.”

Jay was the consummate professional throughout his performance in London.

“He loves an atmosphere,” added Victoria, who keeps Jay at home. “Mum and I share doing the ponies. We both work full-time – we run pet shop businesses – and showing is our hobby.

“This result is incredible and I’m just speechless,” Victoria continued. “I’ve always known he was good enough as he’s a superstar, but as an amateur you never think you’ll win something like this.”

Reserve champion for the second year in a row just one mark behind on 178/200 was Joe Watson’s Dales stallion Griseburn Major. The Wolsey Viking seven-year-old, who was bred by Helen Horn, finished in the runner-up spot 12 months ago, but despite this impressive placing, he didn’t manage to win the best of breed crown. Today, he achieved that goal for his long-term rider Joe.

Major was awarded Amanda McHale’s equal top conformation mark of 49/50.

“I could cry; this pony has been amazing from start to finish today,” Joe said. “Even though he was reserve last year he didn’t get that best of breed title, so that’s what I wanted for him.”

As a five-year-old, Major was M&M champion at HOYS.

“We couldn’t believe he won that title at such a young age, but he’s just got better and better each year,” Joe said. “He gives the loveliest ride; he’s so balanced for a big hairy. Next year, I’m going to stand him at stud for the first time. I also have his half-brother waiting in the wings at home, so it’s an exciting time.”

Chris Grant and Highland stallion Dunedin Iolare finished third and best of breed on their debut in London, scoring 175/200. The Moss-side Iain Mor son, who was bred by Anne Mitchell, also scored a near perfect 49/50 from Amanda. Iolare’s 2024 CV includes the ridden M&M supreme at the Royal Highland, a breed show supreme win and a second place at the Royal International.

Top Welsh section C, April Gilmartin and Gems Malt Whiskey, finished fourth overall on 171/200. This pair have won the best of breed accolade on previous occasions and they were also HOYS victors In October.

Ellena Thomas and Highland stallion Ashleyvale Glen Duror, another London debutante, were leading the field after the ride on 89/100, though they finished fifth overall after the conformation phase on a final total of 169/200.

Sixth fell to Sarah Parker, last year’s supreme winner, riding Leah May’s reigning RIHS M&M supreme winner Nipna Mighty Oak (Dales), while seventh was Amy Canavan-Smith and Laura Marshall’s ever-consistent Fell stallion Hardendale Ray, recently third at HOYS with Laura in the saddle.

Three Connemaras occupied the next three spaces in the 2024 BSPS ridden M&M supreme championship; these were Lucy Glover and Amanda Sharman’s 2022 M&M supreme winner Castle Kestrel, Harlow White and King Bunowen Castle Ali, who were also the highest placed junior combination, and Harrison Taylor and Kerry Wainwright’s former best of breed winner and multi-HOYS in-hand and ridden finalist Skellorn Déjà Vu.

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A Fell stallion reigned amongst a field of 22 of the country’s best native ponies to win the National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds 2024 HOYS M&M ridden pony of the year championship at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). 

Ruth Robert’s 15-year-old Wildhoeve Oki Doki powered along with manners, style and presence in equal measures, with his long-term producer Clare Fitch in perfect sync. He became ride judge Vicky Lawrie and conformation judge Mark Tamplin’s choice for the title, ahead of the winning Welsh section B, Myranda Houton’s Cadlanvalley Buzz Lightyear, who had made the long trip from Ayrshire to compete at HOYS.

Oki last won at HOYS in 2021 but was unplaced in the championship. Clare has been the rider to beat this week so far at HOYS, as she also led the Highland pony of the year final on Ruth’s Valerock Monroe, ridden by Clare’s daughter Domenica in the championship.

“What a little legend,” said Clare. “To be honest, I’ve had the most amazing week so far with both ponies. I always thought Oki was awesome and could do it one day but you never think the dream will actually become a reality. He has always been good enough, and as he’s gotten older he’s got better and better. We’ve formed a partnership and I love him to death. He’s a showman and his ears were on all the way tonight.”

Home-producer Myranda was delighted to finish reserve in the 2024 HOYS M&M ridden pony of the year championship with her own gelding on their third visit to Birmingham.

“I am so so happy,” said Myranda, whose previous best result at HOYS was third. “I work nine to five as a development officer and then I have Buzz to fit around that.”

Myranda bought him as a three-year-old from his breeders at the Cadlanvalley Stud and he is also through to HOYS in the junior ridden final.

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Ruth Robert’s uber-consistent stallion Wildhoeve Oki Doki led the 2024 HOYS Fell pony of the year field for the second time in his career at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

The Dutch-bred 15-year-old was bred by Roy Ottink and he is a son of Klompjes Ivanhoe and Uldale Black Misty.

His producer and rider, Clare Fitch, last reigned here with him in 2021, though she’s now enjoyed 11 centre line moments at the NEC during her own career in the show ring.

Oki began his career in the UK under Jonny Stevens, who rode him on his HOYS debut in 2017, the same year he was best of breed at Olympia.

Clare began her partnership with him when Ruth took ownership of him.

“Ruth has had Arabs with me for a long time and she’d mentioned she would like another breed,” Clare explained. “She sent me a link to a Fell stallion online and when I realised it was Oki, who I’d always loved on the circuit, I couldn’t believe he was for sale. It was meant to be, as his former owners were just five minutes down the road from me.”

Oki has lived with Clare ever since and he also contends British Dressage. This year, he booked his HOYS return pass at the Royal Highland.

“He goes up the gallops, too, and generally does a bit of everything,” she said. “He has covered mares before when he was in Holland, but we hope to collect from him soon.”

When asked if she feels the pressure entering the TopSpec Arena on a previous HOYS winner, Clare said: “Not at all. He’s not getting any younger so I just want to enjoy him. Today, he totally owned it. He loves the job. He’s a villain and he drives everyone mad, but I adore him and we have the best partnership. He’s the best pony in the world.”

Second place in the 2024 HOYS Fell pony of the year final for the second time on the bounce was Rebecca Penny riding Lauren Nicols’ nine-year-old stallion Bybeck Rodney, while Laura Marshall took third on her own stallion Hardendale Ray.

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A novice Fell stallion provided the dream team of producer Sarah Parker and owner Sarah Weston with their second win of the 2023 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). Sarah Weston’s six-year-old Greenrivers Luke netted the National Pony Society/Baileys Horse Feeds M&M ridden Fell pony of the year title on his first appearance at the NEC, with his producer Sarah Parker at the helm.

The Greenholme Warrior son qualified for HOYS after winning, and finishing reserve supreme M&M, at the Great Yorkshire, with Rebecca Penny in the saddle. His producer Sarah Parker took the reins at HOYS as Rebecca was on board the stallion Bybeck Rodney, second in the Fell pony of the year championship.

Sarah [Weston] bought Luke from Julie Clare, as she explained: “I saw him advertised and I messaged Julie straight away and bought him as I’d always admired him. He was pretty novicey when he arrived, but Sarah has worked her magic and he’s come to and settled into the job very quickly. He’s such a good boy in every way.”

While Luke has not covered mares while under Sarah’s ownership, his breeder, Kev Turner, has stock on the ground by him.

“I will definitely use him at stud in the future,” said Sarah, whose home-bred Dartmoor stallion Westown Wild Fire won his class at HOYS earlier in the morning. “I am definitely addicted to nice ponies, I cannot believe what a day we are having.”

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A group of young Fell pony enthusiasts are putting steps in place to “prevent the breed from dying out” by encouraging enthusiasts to get involved with the breed.

The Fell Pony Society Next Generation Group, formerly known as the Fell Pony Society Young Person’s Group was started in 2015, with a rebrand and name change in 2021.

“In 2021, we reevaluated the group, including removing the age cap to be more inclusive; the events are for anyone of any age who wants to learn about or get involved with Fell ponies,” said group chair Stacy Longrigg, who breeds under the Horngill prefix.

“The group’s aim is to capture current Fell pony breeders’ knowledge and experience, and share it with future generations. These older breeders won’t be around for ever, and we need to preserve and pass on this wealth of knowledge. It’s so important that we encourage more people to recognise the significance of the few remaining semi-feral Fell pony herds, too. Ultimately, we aim to do what we can to promote and grow the breed, and prevent it from dying out.”

The Fell pony is currently classified as an at-risk rare breed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

The Next Generation Group, which does not require a membership, aims to host educational events such as stud visits, information days and discussions across the country throughout the year.

On 13 August the group held an open day at the Potter family’s Greenholme Fell Pony Stud in Cumbria. They welcomed over 80 visitors. Anyone interested can find more information online.

“It provided an amazing opportunity to see the semi-feral Greenholme ponies in their natural surroundings,” said Stacy. “The ponies were marked up and everyone was given a sheet with their information on. We were lucky enough to see three stallions, four yearling colts and mares with their foals who had come in from the fell. The ponies took in the visitors very well despite being used to living in a natural environment with little human interference.

“There were also picture boards showcasing just a few of the successful Greenholme ponies bred over the years, including the main stallions and mares used at the stud.

“There were stud books and sales catalogues from past and present, the Fell pony breed standard, information on foal immunodeficiency syndrome, as well as books about Fell ponies and the Fell Pony Society centenary.

“We also benefited from a group discussion where we asked for thoughts on the best way to gather knowledge and information about the breed. The general consensus was that more people need to be talking, and listening.”

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The late Queen’s stud groom has spoken of Her Majesty’s great equine loves – including her last and much-loved pony Emma.

Terry Pendry was a guest on episode 18 of the Fell Pony Podcast, hosted by Tom Lloyd, which was released on 26 June. He discussed his career, from racing to the Household Cavalry, serving Her Majesty for nearly half a century.

Mr Pendry was made a military knight in honour of his service this year, the latest accolade in his distinguished career.

“I’d willingly give all my medals back to enjoy just one more day with Her Majesty,” he said. “We miss her so badly.”

Mr Pendry said that, having had early riding experiences on cows, on his uncle Ray’s farm, which was “exhilarating”, his first pony, Kelly, was a £40 Hereford market buy.

“He was a hard taskmaster, who could buck for England,” he said. “I saw the orchard from an upside-down position, hanging out of apple and pear trees, but he turned out to be an incredible pony.”

Listen to the full podcast episode

Mr Pendry rode pointers, went into racing as an apprentice, then moved to London with his wife Sue.

“She wanted to see Princess Anne’s wedding presents, so we walked through Horse Guards Parade,” he said. “I thought ‘Horses. I know how to do that’, which is how I joined the Household Cavalry.”

During his time with the regiment, Mr Pendry rode in Trooping the Colour; his first in 1974 and every year since, escorting The Queen along The Mall on Burmese.

“You never get tired of it,” he said. “You can’t fail to be impressed by it, and it’s quite good fun, actually.”

Mr Pendry said it was probably his influence that led to Her Majesty’s involvement with Fell ponies.

“She was passionate about all our rare breeds, about wanting to save and look after them, in particular Fells and Highlands,” he said. “Sanction was her last riding horse, who we sadly lost in 2002, and really, she was getting to a certain age where I didn’t want her riding horses too much longer, because if she came off one, she wasn’t going to bounce. I encouraged her to swap to ponies.”

Showing producer Lizzie Briant put Mr Pendry in touch with the late Thomas Capstick, who owned Carltonlima Emma.

“He had this pony, and realised she wouldn’t last a winter on the fells,” Mr Pendry said. “He had her sold to Holland but I persuaded him that maybe he’d like to sell her to The Queen.

“He said he wanted pound notes with The Queen’s face on them. I said ‘Awfully sorry, she doesn’t deal in cash, but she banks with Coutts and she’s good for it’. He said he’d do it – and I said only if he put her in foal to his top stallion. He said ‘You’re a hard taskmaster, Mr Pendry’, but he did it.”

Mr Pendry said Emma always had “the most wonderful disposition”, and is still, aged 27, “firing on all cylinders”.

“She’s semi-retired, but doesn’t want to be,” he said. “She’s an absolutely amazing pony.”

Emma touched hearts across the world last year as she and Mr Pendry stood on the Long Walk at Windsor to say a final farewell to The Queen, and he said: “That was one of the saddest days of my life.

“I served Her Majesty for 20 years in the Household Cavalry and 28 direct. At least two thirds of my life in service to the sovereign, and I just had to do that.”

Mr Pendry said he knew, at Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022, “we didn’t have an awful lot of time left”.

“She rode right to the end,” he said. “She rode Emma on 18 July, then two days later left for Scotland. And we all know how she came home.”

Mr Pendry said there were two animals with whom The Queen had a “telepathic” connection; Sanction and Emma.

“If The Queen wanted to turn left, Sanction did it without her even thinking it, and Emma was one of the same,” he said. “The Queen absolutely adored her.”

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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.

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Miss Jane Glass, the dedicated Fell pony breeder of Wolds stud died on 6 May, aged 87.

Miss Glass was born in Nottingham, and moved to Wymeswold, Leicestershire, as a child. She gained her Pony Club A test, and went on to own Cum Cottage Riding School, while showing horses for various people.

She had a Fell pony early on and always swore to have another as she was so taken with the breed. In 1967 she bought Shilstone Rocks Blackberry, and a year later Waverhead Rob, to be her foundation stock at Wolds stud.

Miss Glass was dedicated to breeding true-to-type Fell ponies under her Wolds prefix, and she remains respected for the ponies she bred. She promoted the breed globally, and several of her ponies were exported to Germany and Holland.

She allocated a lot of her time to the Fell Pony Society, and served on the council for many years. In partnership with the late Mary Longsdon, she was a founder of the society’s southern breed show. They also worked to set up the area groups and looked after the society’s merchandise, travelling up and down the country promoting the breed. The society recognised Miss Glass’ hard work and dedication by making her an honorary member.

Miss Glass loved to watch her ponies perform, and would always be ringside talking to breeders. She would share her knowledge and had a skill of matching her ponies to people. Wolds ponies are respected across many disciplines including showing, driving and dressage. There are many people who can say, “It was because of Jane Glass we now have Fell ponies.” Wolds stud will continue in her honour, run by Jane Rawen with support from Janet Copeland.

A celebration of Miss Glass’ life will take place on 9 June at 2pm, at Wymeswold Rempstone Road Cemetery, followed by Wymeswold Memorial Hall.

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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The highly-anticipated HOYS junior M&M ridden championship, sponsored by UK Ponies and Horses Ltd, saw a Fell and a Welsh section B take top championship honours, giving their riders their first Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) wins.

Leading the field was the large breed victors, Chantelle Chapman and her mother Victoria Oliver’s home-produced Fell gelding Greenholme Falcon. The Greenholme Look At Me 10-year-old went superbly throughout, to reign over the winning small, Samantha Walker’s Welsh section B Melau Aramis ridden by Lilly Walker, who was reserve for the HOYS junior M&M ridden title last year riding Amilas Clicquot.

Chantelle, 17, produces Falcon from home in Essex and the pair have progressed up the showing ranks together. They first hit the headlines in 2018 when they won the inaugural SEIB Search For A Star mountain and moorland supreme title held at Your Horse Live. The have also appeared at HOYS before.

Today, they returned to the country’s most prestigious show to reign.

The family have owned Falcon for six years.

“He’s come such a long way,” said Chantelle, who also competes Falcon in working hunter classes and took the section championship with him at Royal Windsor last year.

The family have battled their fair share of hardship to even get to HOYS this season. Earlier this year, Victoria was diagnosed with cancer and she is still undergoing intense treatment.

“HOYS preparation has been different this year as obviously we haven’t had Mum,” said Chantelle. “I’ve been doing Falcon myself with help from my brother, Bobby. We’ve worked hard together and it’s obviously paid off.”

Victoria was super proud of her daughter:

“Things have been tricky and we’ve had some bad times this year, but Falcon has been our rock. When things are down he picks us up,” she said. “Chantelle is a grafter; she works for a show jumper and she comes home to do the ponies before helping me at home.

“I’ve tried to go to as many shows as I can this year, but typically, the only one I missed she qualified for HOYS.”

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Advancing on the eighth place achieved last year, Willmont Braveheart, an eight-year-old Fell gelding, pulled off a stunning show to land the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) Fell championship ridden by Emma Burrow.

Owned by Antonia Mitchell, the gelding is by stallion Underwoods Gideon out of dam Townend Liberty.

“He’s had a really good season and qualified for HOYS at his first qualifier at Stoneleigh where he was champion,” said Emma. “It’s meant he’s had an easy year as we did it so early in the season.”

This is Emma’s second season producing ‘Bert’ from her base in Carlisle.

“I definitely didn’t come here expecting to win this year,” she added. “When I was stood in the last three line-up, I felt like it should have been us, but you never know until your name is called.”

Emma describes the gelding as ‘great to do’ at home.

“He likes doing lots of fun things and he hacks out a lot,” she said. “We went jumping before he came here just to keep him occupied. He’s such a good boy. He’ll be put to bed now and no doubt get covered in shavings before the championship tomorrow.”

Antonia has owned Bert since a foal.

“This is really special to her – she can’t stop crying,” Emma mused. “He was bred at Antonia’s yard, and she ended up keeping him.

“He’ll go to the BSPS Heritage championships next and then he goes home to Antonia’s for a holiday. He has the winter off so is completely roughed off and turned out to be a horse. He’ll come back to me February time.”

The runner-up spot went to Rundales Trooper under Aliya Khan, while third place was awarded to Holling Foxglove and Georgia Boswell.

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For the first time in the Fell pony breed’s history, ponies from two leading studs were sold via online auction, where a filly foal topped the trade at £5,500.

North West Auctions conducted the sale of registered Fell ponies on behalf of the Drybarrows Stud of David Thompson, Penrith and the Bracklinn Stud of Alistair Smith, Dunblane.

There were 150 active bidders and more than 25 successful buyers, which included nine ponies finding new homes abroad.

Leading the bids at £5,500 was the black filly Drybarrows Harmony, by Bluecap Gilbert out of Drybarrows Distinction, who was sold to Ms Colquhoun in south Cumbria.

This was followed by £4,900 for Drybarrows Hallmark, a black colt foal also by Bluecap Gilbert, who sold to the south of England, to Ms Fouch.

American buyer Ms Snar bought Drybarrows Havana, by Drybarrows Dynamic, for £3,700. Drybarrows Hot Stepper, by Drybarrows Bowie, sold for £3,500 to Riverwind Stables in South Carolina, which also took home the top-priced foal from the Bracklinn Stud, the Carrock I’m Yer Man filly Bracklinn Violet, for £3,700.

Colt foals from the Bracklinn Stud sold to £2,700 for Bracklinn Hotshot, who is by the late Bracklinn Jackpot. 

The sale also included a selection of yearlings upwards. These ponies peaked at £4,300 for three-year-old filly Drybarrows Edelwiss, sired by Drybarrows Bowie out of Holling Tara. She joins Ms Wohlfarth in Germany.

The yearling colt Drybarrows Guardian, by Bracklinn Jackpot, sold for a final bid of £2,900.

A grey yearling filly by Carrock I’m Yer Man, Bracklinn Clemmie, achieved £3,400, also selling to Riverwind Stables.

All foals forward in the sale averaged £2,412.22. Yearlings and older ponies averaged £2,418.

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Queen Elizabeth II may have be the most famous, admired and garlanded person on the planet, but nothing brought out her widest smile quite like the simple pleasure she took in spending time with horses. Whether breeding elite thoroughbreds for the racetrack, visiting the ceremonial horses in the Royal Mews, or enjoying the range of breeds in which she was so invested, horses of all shapes and sizes was her passion.

During this time of quiet reflection, here is a selection of just some of the moments throughout The Queen’s special life with horses, in 25 pictures:

Birthday girl: Princess Elizabeth photographed with a pony in Windsor Great Park to mark her 13th birthday, on 21 April 1939

A family hack: The Queen (second from right) rides out with two of her children, Princess Anne (far left) and Prince Charles (foreground), in 1956

The two sisters: Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth with a pony and cart at Windsor in 1944, when the future Queen was 18

The future Queen, aged 20, cuts an elegant figure on one of her riding horses – she continued to ride for pleasure, and on ceremonial parade, throughout her lifetime

The Queen on her grey horse Surprise, followed by Lt-Col Dawnay leading members of her house party to the entrance of Ascot racecourse in 1961

Eight years later, in 1969, The Queen, Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones with a group of others on their way to the racecourse at Ascot. The Queen used to hold a house party at Windsor during the Royal meeting, and her guests would ride along the racecourse before racing began in the afternoon

Support on the sidelines: The Queen and Prince Philip chat before a polo match at Windsor in 1956, accompanied by Prince Charles and Princess Anne

The Queen leads in her filly Carrozza, ridden by Lester Piggott, after she won The Oaks in 1957, the year The Queen became champion owner

And again on the racecourse before Royal Ascot, in 1956. One year, The Queen narrowly avoided a serious accident when she was galloping along the track. The starting tape was down, and she skilfully ducked just at the last minute to avert disaster

May 1971: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on horseback in Windsor Great Park, stopping for a chat. Their son Prince Edward is on the right

The Queen holds her husband’s polo pony during a break in a match for which he is acting as one of the mounted umpires. The Queen was a big supporter of Prince Philip’s polo career, breeding polo ponies – including one which ended up as Princess Anne’s premier event horse, Doublet

The Queen aboard Burmese in the Trooping of the Colour parade. Burmese was a mare gifted to The Queen by the Canadian mounted police, and she went on to enjoy riding her in parades for 18 consecutive years until 1986. Many years later, The Queen was given a replica rocking horse of Burmese, whom she listed as one of her favourite horses

The Queen, Prince Charles, Prince Philip and Princess Anne with the children’s ponies. Princess Anne would go on to become European champion in eventing, while Charles played polo at a high level as well as riding in races as an amateur jockey

Princess Anne out for a hack with her mother The Queen on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, in 1979

The Queen enjoys a quiet moment out hacking out on the Balmoral estate in her signature headscarf, in 1982

From private ponies to major public moments, horses play their part: Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip drive past Buckingham Palace in the state coach, during her Silver Jubilee, 1977

The Queen behind the camera: she enjoyed watching and capturing her horses in action as well as riding and being around them herself

A doting grandmother: The Queen with Prince William and Prince Harry watching a polo match in the Royal Box at Guards Polo Club, Smiths Lawn

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh set out from Buckingham Palace in the Gold State Coach for a ceremonial procession to St Paul’s Cathedral as part of the celebrations marking The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in June 2002

A slice of history: the moment The Queen won the Ascot Gold Cup with Estimate in 2013, the first time a reigning monarch had landed this prestigious race

The Queen showing her delight in watching her Highland pony Balmoral Gemini compete at Royal Windsor Horse Show in 2014

The Queen patting her Highland pony Balmoral Melody at Royal Windsor in 2007 in Windsor. Balmoral Melody was the overall in-hand champion and went on to produce this year’s supreme in-hand champion Balmoral Leia

The Queen paid a visit in 2011 to St John’s Wood Barracks (the final royal visit before the King’s Troop moved to Woolwich), to meet Harlequin, the horse she gave to the King’s Troop

The Queen riding out in Windsor Great Park. Since her 80s she chose to ride ponies over horses – “closer to the ground”, according to stud groom Terry Pendry. However, she continued riding well into her 90s

The Queen pictured at Windsor in 2022 with two of her favourites – Fell ponies Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale. This photo was released to mark The Queen’s 96th birthday

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A Fell pony mare whose dam was struck by lightning when she was a foal has qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) six years later.

Paul and Jane Steeples’ Greenholme Kate and Tamsyn Bell-Heather won a strong breed qualifier at the NPS summer championships before taking section reserve, securing her first ever ticket to the prestigious final.

Kate was bred by the Potter Family of the Greenholme Stud in Cumbria, by Greenholme Warrior out of Greenholme Bethany. Tragically, Bethany was struck by lightning during a storm and died, leaving Kate orphaned at just three weeks old.

“Bethany and Kate were out in the allotment and Bethany was found dead one morning,” says breeder John Potter. “Kate was just standing next to her dam. Kate was then bottle fed; we tried to foster her onto another Fell mare, but they didn’t take to each other.”

A couple of days after Bethany’s death, a traditional mare who had lost her foal was found locally. She belonged to local breeder Val Carrick.

“Val rang me and we quickly arranged to bring the mare over,” says John. “She took to Kate straight away and milked quickly. She looked after Kate very well and Kate became a strapping foal.”

Kate was sold at the Fell pony breed society’s annual sale in October to Paul and Jane as that year’s top-priced filly foal.

Tamsyn took Kate over when she was a five-year-old.

“We’re in our second season with her,” says Tamsyn, who produced Kate to three supreme wins during her debut term under-saddle in 2021 and qualified her for the Royal International Horse Show this year. “We’d had a good week at NPS, but were pulled in top in the HOYS qualifier, so the pressure was on.

“I was over the moon to win, especially since we’ve been on a journey together. We have bonded so well and I adore her. She’s an incredible ride, too.”

Tamsyn says that Kate definitely exhibits traits of a hand-reared pony.

“I was not surprised to find out about her start in life,” she says. “She has few boundaries, is very cheeky and definitely thinks she’s part human, part gypsy cob. You could also tell she’d been very loved.

“She’s got a romantic story; from being so close to being killed, to being the top priced filly of the sale, to qualifying for HOYS. She’s a very special mare, with a big, lovable ego.”

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A 20-year-old Fell stallion has overcome a cancer diagnosis to capture his place at the 2022 Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

Physics teacher Georgie Lewis-Roberts’ Waverhead Dazzler II (Possum) landed his Pretty Polly home-produced ticket and the section championship at BSPS Area 6 in March.

Possum returned to work in February after being diagnosed with cancer in November 2021.

“He had a small sarcoid on his tummy and a biopsy revealed it was cancerous,” says Georgie, who rode Possum to the overall supreme at the 2020 Veteran Horse Society championships. “He had two rounds of laser surgery before several rounds of chemotherapy in both cream and injection form. The team at Field Equine Vets did an amazing job picking up the cancer and getting him back on the road.”

Possum was given the all clear in early February and returned to work a few weeks later.

“I’d been hand-walking him throughout his treatment,” Georgie adds. “BSPS Area 6 is a local show and I thought I’d pop him in the qualifiers to have some fun under some knowledgable judges

“We were a little rusty in the morning as this was only the second time we’d cantered in five months – but later in the day, it was like he’d never been away. He was back firing at his best, especially considering I didn’t know if he’d ever show again.”

Georgie then gained a second RIHS ticket at Staffordshire County with her novice Dales stallion Fulford Micky, who was contending his first ever qualifier.

“I was aiming to give him as much experience as possible this year to prepare him for next season,” says Georgie, of her home-produced five-year-old who has enjoyed a successful career in-hand. “I entered him for the RIHS amateur qualifier at Staffordshire, on the basis that it would be good experience for him.

“When working him in I realised he’d never been to a county show. He took a serious dislike to goats, trade stands and generators!

“Luckily, when we got into the ring he remembered what he was doing and he was pulled in top. I’ve never been so relaxed being pulled in top before; as he’s only a novice I had no expectations.

“After the shows and conformation section, the judge asked me to move and it was to a place to face the audience; only when she pulled a Highland pony into second did I realise we’d just won our very first qualifier. I still pinch myself because it seems like a dream to have two ponies qualified for Hickstead.”

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A photograph of The Queen with two of her Fell ponies has been released to mark Her Majesty’s 96th birthday.

The organisers of Royal Windsor Horse Show released the picture, of The Queen with Bybeck Katie and Bybeck Nightingale. Taken last month in the grounds of Windsor Castle, it is the fourth in a series released by the show, following pictures taken in celebration of The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002, her 90th birthday in 2016 and the Platinum Jubilee this year.

A spokesman for the Royal Family said Her Majesty has attended every Royal Windsor Horse Show since its first running in 1943.

A spokesman for the event, which takes place from 12 to 15 May in the grounds of Windsor Castle, said: “Her Majesty has a record number of entries at the 2022 show, with 41 horses entered to take part.

“The 2022 edition of Royal Windsor Horse Show will also celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with ‘A Gallop through History’, taking place each evening of the show and featuring more than 500 horses and 1,000 performers.”

Fell ponies, a breed close to The Queen’s heart, will also feature in a parade at the show, led by the late Duke of Edinburgh’s granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor. More than 30 ponies, in hand and ridden, will take part in the parade in the main ring following the Horse & Hound-supported mountain and moorland in-hand championship.

The Queen became patron of the Fell Pony Society, which is celebrating its centenary this year, in 1982, and the Duke of Edinburgh competed his Fell ponies for many years at national level in the four-in-hand pony teams class.

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A native breed close to The Queen’s heart will be celebrated in a special parade held at the 2022 Royal Windsor Horse Show.

The Queen has been involved with the breeding and showing of Fell ponies for many years and is currently the Fell Pony Society’s patron.

This year’s Royal Windsor will host Platinum Jubilee celebrations for The Queen and 2022 also marks 100 years since the Fell Pony Society was founded.

The Fell pony parade, led by the late Duke of Edinburgh’s granddaughter Lady Louise Windsor, will take place in Windsor’s main ring following the Horse & Hound-supported mountain and moorland in-hand championship.

The Queen became patron of the Fell Pony Society in 1982, and the Duke of Edinburgh competed his Fell ponies for many years at national level in the pony teams class with a team of four.

“More than 30 Fells of different ages, both in hand and ridden, will travel from all over the country to take part in the parade,” said chairman of the Fell Pony Society centenary celebrations, Jane Rawden. “The ponies will present themselves in front of Her Majesty with a salute to thank her for her generous support and commitment to the breed over the years. The society will also present Her Majesty with specially commissioned gifts.

“In October 1922, a meeting was held at the Crown Hotel in Penrith, where it was resolved and carried unanimously that a Fell Pony Society should be formed, and that the annual subscription should be five shillings. The aim of the society was simply “to foster and keep pure the old breed of pony that has roamed the fells for years”.

Jane personally wrote to The Queen in hopes of securing a spot at Windsor:

“We initially thought it would just be a handful of ponies, but Her Majesty asked for between 20 and 30,” added Jane. “We wanted to get a mix of top-end showing ponies currently on the circuit and those who are perhaps retired or have succeed in other disciplines.”

The society’s centenary year is being celebrated throughout the season and other events include an opening at the breed’s annual stallion show, a parade of stallions and the Fell pony display team’s country-wide tour.

“We are also holding a ball during the summer and will be launching an educational video which has been in the pipeline for some time,” said Jane. “We also have more than 500 ponies and their owners riding 100 miles through the year. The centenary celebrations really seem to have reconnected the Fell pony community outside Cumbria. Enthusiasts from all over the world have been sharing their stories of their ponies and we’ve been blown away by the response.”

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Alistair and Ian Smith’s prolific home-bred Fell pony stallion Bracklinn Jackpot has been put down aged 15 after sustaining a leg injury in the field.

By Carrock I’m Yer Man out of Southolme Beauty, Jackpot was the only Fell pony ever to qualify for the Cuddy in-hand final and ridden Fell pony of the year final at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

“Jackpot was born on the day of the Fell pony stallion show; we came home from the show and there he was,” said Alistair, who led Jackpot throughout his in-hand career. “Over the next few days we realised what a special pony he was going to be.”

As a yearling, Jackpot landed the youngstock supreme at the Fell pony stallion show and the following year he was crowned overall mountain and moorland (M&M) supreme at the last ever Royal Show.

“When he was four, we took him to the NPS [National Pony Society] summer championships and he won just about everything he went in,” added Alistair. “The year he qualified for the Cuddy, he was pulled into the top line-up four times before he got his ticket.

“He had a rare spark and arrogance in the ring; he loved to show off and he just wanted to go. We backed him at home and we felt that he had a lot of potential as a ridden pony.”

Jackpot was ridden by Hayley Reynolds during the 2016 and 2017 seasons and together they landed many championships and enjoyed several wins in HOYS qualifiers. One of his greatest achievements was winning the HOYS M&M ridden championship at the NPS summer championships after scoring 50/50 for conformation in his breed qualifier.

“He just loved his job and he loved Hayley, too,” said Alistair. “He never looked sour and he would rise to the occasion every time he went in the ring.”

Hayley added: “Jackpot was the Rolls Royce of Fell ponies and I’ve never ridden a pony quite like him; the engine underneath you when you sat on him was something else. Not only was he a superstar in the ring, but he regularly took my son, who was just seven at the time, out hacking. He had a heart of gold and in the last few weeks showed he had the heart of a lion, too.”

Jackpot also stood at stud in recent years and leaves a string of top-class progeny. His daughter, Bracklinn Mabel, stood supreme at the Fell pony breed show in 2021, the same year she also stood M&M in-hand supreme at the Royal Highland, where Jackpot’s son, Nicholwalls Black Jack, was also M&M ridden supreme.

“Jackpot was a pleasure to show and was the quietest, nicest pony. After his accident he went to Glasgow vet school where he stayed for seven weeks. All the vets and staff at Glasgow were amazing with the care they gave him and the team had become so fond of him; they were as devastated as us. He was some pony,” said Alistair.

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RUTH ROBERTS’ 12-year-old stallion Wildhoeve Okidoki performed a foot-perfect individual show to stand at the head of the line up of fabulous Fell ponies at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) 2021.

The Dutch-bred Fell by Klompjes Ivanhoe out of Uldale Black Misty was given a meticulous ride by Clare Fitch.

“We’re absolutely over the moon,” said an emotional Clare. “He is such a character, I love him.”

Clare has had the ride on the stallion for four seasons after his previous owners the Millers sold him to Ruth in 2018. The pair gained their qualification at Stoneleigh Horse Show.

“He’s been to HOYS every year with us, so to finally win is brilliant,” said Clare. “He was amazing today.”

Clare puts the stallion’s success down to a change of routine.

“It’s taken him a while to settle, so we’ve changed his routine a little bit and it works for him now,” said Clare. “He goes out every day, but we’re keeping him out for longer, and I very rarely take him in the school.

“I do a lot of hacking with him and we are lucky that we are based close to racehorse trainer Thomas Symonds who allows us to use their gallops, which he loves – it keeps him fresh for showing.”

In second was Zoe Marsden’s Wellbrow Diplomat, ridden by Hayley Reynolds, while Rhea Shakespeare piloted Christina Clare’s Lunesdale Dixie into third place.

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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

WHEN Fell pony Waverhead Dazzler II injured a ligament in 2018, vets warned he might never come sound, and his owner Georgie Lewis-Roberts was advised to put him down. Instead she made the decision to give him every opportunity to heal, and the pair are now back in the ring and looking forward to competing at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS).

“I got ‘Possum’ eight years ago just after my father died to give me something positive to focus on, and he’s been my best friend ever since,” said Georgie. “We enjoyed a few seasons showing and he proved to be brilliant in the ring. When he was injured, I was devastated but refused to give up.”

To make matters worse, the same year Possum went lame, Georgie suffered a back injury in a car crash.

“At that point, I thought we’d never compete together again,” she said.

Georgie slowly recovered from her injuries, and after six months of box rest, Possum started in-hand walking.

“We had to hand walk him up and down a 10m strip, five times a day to try and get him right, and thank goodness we did because he came back perfectly,” said Georgie. “We built the work up slowly and eventually we were both back to normal.”

In 2019, the pair qualified for the RIHS in the then PUK amateur class, and in 2020, they were supreme of show at the Veteran Horse Society National Championships.

“This year, at the NPS Spring Festival, he floated round the ring and qualified for the intermediate class with UKPH, having been second more than once in qualifiers before,” added Georgie. “He then exceeded all my dreams to clinch the amateur qualifier as well, and this will be my first time competing in the intermediate final at RIHS.”

Now 19, Possum is also a sire, and this year, competed against his granddaughter Brackenbank Flicka.

“Possum is the most incredible pony, and does everything with me,” said Georgie. “My friends describe him as the Tesla of horses in the ring – you put him in gear, and off he goes!”

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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

Native ponies of all breeds are tested over the working hunter track on the third day of competition

A stunning display of natives was witnessed in the Frogmore Arena on Saturday morning at the 2021 Royal Windsor Horse Show, as a Fell pony gelding and his young pilot took top honours as a worker.

16-year-old Chantelle Chapman and her mother Victoria Oliver’s Fell pony gelding Greenholme Falcon (Dan) were judges Caroline Whiteley and Kevin Walker’s choice for the overall mountain and moorland (M&M) working hunter pony accolade.

The 10-year-old by Greenholme Look At Me out of Greenholme Shandy first achieved a flying clear in the 133cm section.

“This was his and my first time jumping here,” said Chantelle, who kept her cool in the championship, showing off Dan’s paces and accelerating gallop. “Considering this is his first year jumping open tracks, too, we came here with no expectations. He’s been a star and I just can’t fault him; he does it all.”

Chantelle and Dan shot to fame in 2018 when she won inaugural SEIB Search For A Star M&M championship. Since, they’ve been unstoppable in both open ridden and junior ranks, and have only recently forayed into the working hunter scene.

“They did three novice classes last year, and won all three,” said Victoria.

Chantelle added: “We had a 3am start today, but it’s been well worth it. The course was flowing and there was lots to look at which suits him better.”

“Dan’s got a little fan club and it’s lovely to be able to win it for the breed, too.”

Working hunter specialist Vikki Smith had a tough choice as she had two rides – Penny Sutton’s New Forest Lovelyhill Folklore and her own Connemara JP Corbally — through to the championship from the 143cm and exceeding 143cm classes, respectively. She opted to pilot the 10-year-old New Forest stallion, HOYS bound on the flat and in workers, who was selected for the reserve.

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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Rare breeds of the “highest concern” will be recognised at a show with new championship classes aimed at promoting the breeds’ high standards.

For the first time the Norfolk Equestrian Show (28 July) will host Rare Breed Survival Trust watchlist classes, with the highest-placed horses and ponies going on to compete in the RBST championship for priority and at-risk breeds. The classes follow the release of the 2021/2022 RBST watchlist published last month with updated categories; priority, at risk, UK native breeds and Irish breeds in the UK. Previously the categories were critical, endangered, vulnerable, at risk and minority.

Cleveland Bays, Dales, Dartmoors, Eriskays, Exmoors, Hackneys and Suffolk horses appear in the priority category. Clydesdale horses, Fell and Highland ponies, New Forests, and Shires have been classed as at risk.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price told H&H the watchlist classes will give dedicated owners and breeders of rare native horses and ponies the chance to demonstrate their “amazingly high standards”, and show the great potential of the breeds.

“We hope this will also encourage more people to get involved in the work to ensure rare native equine breeds such as Eriskays and Suffolks can thrive long into the future,” he said.

RBST chairman Gale Sprake added that with competitions so severely limited over the last 18 months, the trust is delighted to provide this “fantastic opportunity” to celebrate rare breeds, as well as the people, organisations and communities that support their survival.

“Each of our native pony and horse breeds has its own characteristics, unique features and history and each has played an extraordinary role in our nation’s history,” she said.

“The new RBST priority and at-risk classes at the Norfolk Equestrian Show will really show why they are special.”

Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association chief executive Mark Nicholas said the organisation is “thrilled” to be welcoming competitors.

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“We are particularly pleased to be working in partnership with RBST and helping them to promote the importance of breed diversity and survival,” he said.

The show’s organisers hope that holding the “streamlined” show behind closed doors in 2021 will support the planned return of a full Royal Norfolk Show in June 2022. The schedule includes in-hand and ridden classes and retains Horse of the Year Show qualifiers from the cancelled Royal Norfolk Show. Entries close on 30 June.

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.

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

Natives get their final outings of the 2020 season in as a filly foal commences her career with a supreme and Fell ponies shine bright at the Worsley Gala at Bold Heath EC in Cheshire

A Welsh section C filly reigned supreme in the overall foal championship. Michael Cobley’s stunning home-bred Tryfel Glamour Queen oozed quality and presence to first be judge Kitty Bodily’s choice for the overall section C championship and bronze medal before being called forward to land the foal accolade.

By three-time Royal Welsh gold medal winner Caebryn Endeavour out of Monaray May Queen, Glamour Queen stood over the reserve choice, the Perrins family’s chestnut Welsh section A colt Rookery Roscoe.

“Her dam, now 22, has also won the Royal Welsh three times and was reserve overall champion in 2012,” said Michael. This was Glamour Queen’s first outing as a foal.

“For me, she is a substantial filly full of quality,” Michael added. “She has a lovely outline and is beautifully clean through the throat with free, extravagant movement. Her colour and marking set her off. I hope to show her as a youngster and keep her as a foundation mare for the stud.”

Topping Glamour Queen for the overall in-hand supreme spoils was Liesl Mead handling Sandy Anderson’s yearling Welsh section B Kallared Heartbeat.

“Last year, his breeder was advertising the next colt foal out of the prolific Eyarth Sophia,” said Liesl, of the colt who is by Rhoson Amlyn. “I had his half brother, Kallared Lovestuck, a couple of years ago and he won the Royal Welsh as a yearling in 2018.

“I was admiring Heartbeat and when chatting to Sandy he also remarked how much he liked him and his breeding so I bought him on his behalf.”

Heartbeat has been with Lisel since October 2019.

“It’s a win-win situation for me as I still get to show him,” he continued. “He was turned away this year due to Covid and he’s matured beautifully. He has wonderful scope and an abundance of bone. He’s lovely to show, is very easy going and is an effortless mover.”

The Welsh part-bred championship went to Ian Boylan showing Georgina and Maxine Atherton’s Litton Hyperion. The two-year-old colt is by Cusop Julian out of Brynoffa Honeysuckle.

Picasso perfects it

Emma Burrow took her ultra-consistent Welsh section D gelding Dyffryngwy Sir Picasso – Olympia mountain and moorland supreme and Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) victor last term – for an outing and picked up the overall supreme ridden tricolour. Emma then picked up reserve in the novice championship on her own four-year-old Welsh section C stallion Popsters Olympic Star (Roli).

“I’m so looking forward to Roli’s first proper novice season,” said Emma, looking ahead to 2021. “Picasso will do a few shows, too. I just want to have fun with them both.”

“I like everything about him”

The flashy yet true-to-type Fell stallion Greenholme Knight captured the novice ridden sash in an outstanding field of new faces on only his second outing, at Worsley Gala. The four-year-old, ridden by Terry Clynes, is owned by Terry’s partner Ciaran Kelly and was bought as a foal from the annual Fell pony breed sales.

“I just like everything about him,” enthused Terry. “He fills the eye and he’s been the best pony to bring on; I think he’s one of the easiest we’ve had. At home, he plays nanny if a young horse needs help hacking out and the younger kids I teach have a sit on him.”

Knight, who is out of Greenholme Dolly by Greenholme Warrior, will be aimed at the novice circuit next term.

“We’ll look to take him to the winter championships before aiming him at the Picton finals at the National Pony Society summers,” Terry added.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 24 December 2020

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Horse prices seem to be strong across the UK this year. H&H looks into how this trend has been affecting native pony sales

THIS autumn’s native pony sales have achieved some of the strongest turnover in decades, echoing what appears to be a boom in horse prices across the UK.

The Fell Pony Society’s annual sale on 31 October also achieved the strongest prices for many years, with Townend Oran, a black mare put forward by Mrs E Robinson of Penrith, selling for 3,700 guineas.

Foals were particularly popular, with almost 100% sold. Fillies averaged £1,296 and colts £965. The Potter family’s grey colt Greenholme Olaf, sired by Greenholme Diego, was the top lot in this section, going for 2,200 guineas.

The pandemic led some pony societies to switch to online-only bidding, which attracted a wider audience.

At the 61st annual Shetland pony sale in Lerwick, Scotland, on 2 October, the number of registered bidders more than doubled this year from 36 to 84.

Auctioneers Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (SLMG) and Aberdeen and Northern Marts (ANM) achieved an average price of 624 guineas, up from 375 guineas last year. All 41 ponies sold, 33 during online bidding. The hammer fell at 3,100 guineas for top lot Bergli Lanca, a six-year-old skewbald miniature mare from Norway.

“The sale was exceptionally good this year,” Sheena Anderson, chairman of the Pony Breeders in Shetland Association, told H&H. “We had fewer lots, in part because we held a select sale last year, but although numbers were down, the quality wasn’t.”

The pandemic forced the cancellation of the New Forest Beaulieu Rd drift sale, which was rescheduled for November before the second lockdown pushed back the date. A sale hosted by Southern Counties Auctioneers was due to take place online from 2 December, dependent on restrictions.

Rendell’s sale of Dartmoor Hill Ponies in Chagford (8 October) also enjoyed success; 100% of stock sold for an average £178 – a marked turnaround from 2013, when only 32% sold, at an average of £18.The top price was £1,491 for a coloured filly from Mr A Steed, who averaged £909 per animal. The drift sale’s success has been attributed in part to an increased appreciation of the ponies’ value and the impact of the pandemic on people’s lives and interests.

“I realised there was a wave of interest before the sale as we had a lot of enquiries, but I was still nervous,” the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association’s Charlotte Faulkner told H&H. “People have begun to realise the ponies are worth their weight in gold, and the buyers were all knowledgable homes.

“When people pay more for a pony, they invest more time in it and treat it with more respect, and a better pony is produced.”

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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

An 18-year-old mare topped the annual Fell pony breed society sale held at J36 Rural Auction Centre in Cumbria with a price of 3700gns (£3,885).

A total of 29 catalogued lots went under the hammer and the number of potential buyers through the doors was limited to ensure social distancing rules abided by. The sale was streamed on social media, and telephone bids were also accepted.

Foals made up the majority of the trade with colts averaging £965 and fillies £1,296.

Sale topper was Libby Robinson’s upstanding Townend Oran. The 13.2hh black mare, by Lownthwaite Moonshadow out of Townend Saffron, attracted attention owing to her ridden background and successful competition record in national level TREC in France. Oran was bought by the Maplesden family and moves to Nairn in Inverness.

Top of the foal prices at 2,200gns was the striking grey colt foal Greenholme Olaf (Greenholme Diego x Greenholme White Rose) from the Potter family who joins Courtney Harvey and her team in Staffordshire.

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Six-year-old Holling Brown Ale (Stennerskeugh Smoke x Holling Hazel) from Ann Hool was next in the price list selling for 2000gns to the Mallinson family. The bay licenced stallion has been successfully shown under saddle and has also hunted.

Also selling for 2000gns was Ray Alderson’s black yearling filly Meadowpark Michelle (Murthwaite Michelle x Greenholme Keepsake).

The consignment of filly foals from Bert Morland’s well-known Lunesdale prefix topped at 1900gns for the Lunesdale Union Jack-sired Lunesdale Briony II.

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.

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

Concerns about the future of Fell ponies bred in the traditional way on the hills in the Lake District have given rise to a new project. H&H speaks to breeders and enthusiasts about the current challenges...

Calls have been made to raise awareness of the hill-bred Fell pony to support the rare breed’s future in its native environment.

It is hoped an awareness project and heritage centre will bring attention to the breed after concerns raised by owners and breeders about the future of hill-bred ponies and potential changes to grazing policies.

Heidi Allison, of Form & Function Photography, told H&H she has launched a project taking photographs of Fell herds with plans to release a book featuring the images.

“There are not many herds left on the hills in the Lake District and I felt if we don’t do something to raise awareness, we’re going to lose them,” she said.

“There’s lots of older breeders trying to keep the herds going and it’s a real fear if the younger generation doesn’t step in, the ponies in their natural habitat could become a thing of the past.”

Fell Pony Breeders Association chairman Libby Robinson told H&H it is an issue that people do not associate the Fell pony with the Lake District.

“Over the next year we are hoping to find a place to open a Fell pony heritage centre as a hub where people can learn more about the breed,” she said. “The herds have been diminishing in numbers over the past 20 years and the problem is these working ponies don’t have a job any more.”

Ms Robinson added she is concerned future government grazing policies could have an impact on herd ponies, adding: “If farmers can’t graze their ponies [on the hills], they’ll be no more.”

David Thompson, who owns a herd, agreed it is important to secure a future for the breed.

“If they were allowed to disappear from the fells it would be an absolute travesty. Many hill breeders are in their 70s and 80s; if there is nothing done to stop the herds disappearing, they will be gone for ever,” he told H&H.

Fell Pony Society chairman Peter Boustead told H&H the society has been liaising with the World Heritage Centre, as the Lake District features on the list of World Heritage sites, to promote the breed.

“We have put the World Heritage Centre in touch with some of the breeders on the commons, and while World Heritage can’t do anything to help the ponies directly, they have allowed us to put an article on their website about the ponies and have been very supportive,” he said.

A spokesman for Natural England said Fell ponies are an “important part” of the cultural heritage of the area, adding Natural England supports the conservation benefits the ponies bring through “appropriate” grazing.

“We will continue to work with farmers to achieve more sustainable grazing and avoid practices, such as year-round heavy grazing, that may be detrimental to protected habitats,” he said.

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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

Every day, our horses work for us tirelessly, teaching riding skills, providing therapy and promoting equestrianism. In the next part of this series, Sara Walker meets some of the horses and ponies who are Britain’s unsung heroes, such as Hades Hill Fairmile, a Fell pony who’s helping to keep the heritage of this ancient breed alive

Tom Lloyd is passionate about the Fell pony breed, having inherited both his enthusiasm and some of his ponies from his father, Walter. Walter started breeding his own Hades Hill ponies in the 1950s, in an effort to help keep the hardy hillside herds going.

“Fell ponies are very versatile and make fantastic family ponies,” says Tom. “These days, though, there are very few of the old semi-feral herds still living on the fells. If those are lost, I think it’ll be a sad day for the breed — these are extremely tough, hardy ponies and living out all year on the Northern fells is what keeps those characteristics going. The biggest threat to the Fell pony is the loss of the semi-feral herds due to an ageing population of breeders. Although there are Fell ponies all around the world, there are currently fewer than 200 mares living out in their natural habitat. I’m secretary of the Fell Pony Breeders Association, an organisation set up to help preserve and promote these semi-feral Fell ponies, and my own ponies are helping me with that work.”

Tom got his first pony when he was four, and still has the great great granddaughter of his original mare. He spent his childhood travelling to Appleby Horse Fair with a bowtop wagon drawn by a Fell pony with a sideliner (a second horse working with the shaft horse and running at the side of the shafts). In 1995, he was working as a film producer in London.

“Dad was finding it too hard to look after the ponies, so I came back up north to help,” he says. “I now have eight mares and one stallion in the Hades Hill herd, all broken to ride and drive. They work doing the traditional work that these ponies have been doing for hundreds of years — snigging (pulling timber), driving and carting our own hay. My 14-year-old daughter, Flo, also does dressage and showjumping with the same ponies. I generally have two or three mares in foal every year, so I’ve got a constant stream of youngsters coming into the herd.

“At the beginning of 2019, I set up Fell Pony Adventures, wild walking and camping expeditions with pack ponies over the fells. It’s liberating to get off roads and into the hidden places of the fells, and it’s low impact eco tourism as well. It brings in some income to help support the herd, and means I can promote the work these ponies are doing.

“My ‘breed champion’ pony, Hades Hill Fairmile (pictured top left), is the matriarch of the herd. She’s 23 now, and still working happily as a pack pony. We’ve done everything together — she’s pulled a bow top caravan to Appleby many times, and she helps me teach the other ponies. I didn’t put her in the shafts until she was 10, and now she’s my number one driving pony. She epitomises the breed — she’s as steady as a rock, has endless stamina, is sure footed and has a great temperament. She’s 13.2hh, and while the breed standard can range from 12hh to 14hh Our ponies tend to be around the 13.2hh, which means we don’t have to lift the pack saddles so high! My ponies graze on 100 acres of enclosed fell, and I have a smallholding where they come to foal. My dad used to say that you can’t put a Fell to the wrong job, and once you’ve gained their trust they’ll do anything you ask of them — that’s certainly true of Fairmile. She’s hardy, courageous and full of heart and personality.

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The breed is currently classed as ‘vulnerable’ by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, so it’s very important to me to keep these bloodlines going.

“I have four bloodlines in the Hades Hill herd, and Fairmile was the last of one of them, so I was always keen to breed from her. I tried to get her in foal for many years and had almost given up when she foaled seven years ago — a little grey mare called Faye, who is one of my best driving ponies ever.

“Fairmile is still my go-to pony for teaching adults or small children. I trust her implicitly; I could lead her through the middle of London and she’d be fine. She’s not only taking her place in the heritage and tradition of the breed, but she’s also very much part of our family.”

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Fell ponies are native to the North of England, and are mostly found in Cumbria. Herds of registered ponies still run on the Cumbrian fells, playing an important role in maintaining the Fell pony characteristic of hardiness.

The Fell is an ideal all-round family pony for adults and children as well as a popular show animal. They cannot exceed 14hh in height and while there is no lower height limit, there are very few under 12.2hh.

The Fell Pony Society (FPS) provides the following breed standard:

Head: Small, well chiselled in outline, well set on, forehead broad, tapering to nose.

Nostrils: Large and expanding.

Eyes: Prominent, bright, mild and intelligent.

Ears: Neatly set, well formed and small.

Throat and jaw: Fine, showing no signs of throatiness nor coarseness.

Neck: Of proportionate length, giving good length of rein, strong and not too heavy, moderate crest in case of stallion.

Shoulders: Most important, well laid back and sloping, not too fine at withers, nor loaded at the points — a good long shoulder blade, muscles well developed.

Carcase: Good strong back of good outline, muscular loins, deep carcase, thick through heart, round ribbed from shoulders to flank, short and well coupled, hind quarters square and strong with tail well set on.

Feet, legs and joints: Feet of good size, round and well formed, open at heels with the characteristic blue horn, fair sloping pasterns not too long, forelegs should be straight, well placed not tied at elbows, big well formed knees, short cannon bone, plenty of good flat bone below knee (eight inches at least), great muscularity of arm.

Hind leg: Good thighs and second thighs, very muscular, hocks well let down and clean cut, plenty of bone below joint, hocks should not be sickle nor cow-hocked.

Mane, tail and feather: Plenty of fine hair at heels (coarse hair objectionable), all the fine hair except that at point of heel may be cast in summer. Mane and tail are left to grow long. Ponies should be shown with untrimmed manes.

Action: Walk, smart and true. Trot well balanced all round, with good knee and hock action, going well from the shoulder and flexing the hocks, not going too wide nor near behind. Should show great pace and endurance, bringing the hind legs well under the body when going.

The Fell can be black, brown, bay and grey in colour. Chestnuts, piebalds and skewbalds are debarred. A star and/or a little white on or below the hind fetlock is acceptable. An excess of white markings is discouraged, but such ponies are eligible for registration. The FPS reports that more than half the breed population has no white markings.

According to the FPS, Fells are most commonly found in the old counties of Cumberland and Westmorland, where they are believed to have roamed since pre-historic times:

“The animals in use were kept handy in the villages, and the breeding stock lived out on the fell. From the 11^th and 12^th centuries ponies were being used for longer distance pack work carrying loads of fleeces, woollen goods, foodstuff such as cheeses, meat, fish and preserves, and local metal ores. They were used for shepherding and to hunt wolves that might attack the flocks on the sheepwalks.”

“By the 13^th century there was a brisk trade in wool to Belgium, and ponies were used to transport merchandise all around the country. Pack trains were well organised and made regular journeys. For instance, in the winter of 1492-93, 11 Kendal traders made a total of 14 journeys to Southampton with pack horses carrying loads of cloth.

“Fell Ponies, known locally as ‘galloways’ , were also used for the Cumberland sport of trotting races. Fell ponies were used by big Northeastern collieries such as Ashington until well into the 20^th century.

Breeders began to record pedigrees of their stock towards the end of the 19th century. In 1922, the FPS was set up in its present form. Its purpose was not to improve but to “keep pure the old breed of pony” in the face of cross breeding to produce farm horses and showy road animals such as the Wilson pony.

Today, the Fell is used as for various jobs. They are popular all-rounders, driving ponies and working hunter ponies. They are extremely versatile and can excel in performance roles but their sure footedness can mean they are hardier and lower maintenance than some breeds.

To test these qualities of the breed, the society holds an annual performance trial. According to the FPS: “Fell Ponies are generally creditable jumpers, particularly across country, being both agile and clever on their feet. Their abilities are well up to working hunter pony competitions and Pony Club events.”

Fells are also seen in endurance riding or in hacking roles.

Fell pony showing classes at local, national and championship level are also never short of entries. 2019 will be the first year the breed will have their own final at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The winner of the 2018 Fell and Dales final was Lucinda Stockley and her own stallion Murthwaite Oliver.

Also in 2018, the overall winner of the M&M pony of the year championship was Gwen Rae’s black stallion Greenholme Emblem and his producer Kirsty Aird.

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Two Fells have won the prestigious Olympia M&M ridden final; In 1992, Lunesdale Lucky Lady and Lizzie Briant were the victors, while in 2015, it was the turn of Rebecca Penny on her own stallion Townend Schubert.

HM the Queen breeds Fells under her Balmoral prefix. Some of her ponies are sometimes used for carrying the stags and grouse panniers down from the moors at Balmoral while others are used for both riding and driving by the Royal Family.

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A popular Fell Pony — who qualified for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and the Royal International (RIHS) on multiple occasions and made his final show ring appearance at Olympia in December — has died suddenly aged 16.

Owned by Jodie Smith, the stallion Darrenvale Warrior, who is by Whitburn Major Tom out of Townend Mountian Gypsy, was originally owned and produced by Charlene Richardson who introduced him to the ridden circuit with much success.

The pair consistently qualified for HOYS (2009, 2010 and 2011) and also won the coveted open ridden championship at the Royal Highland Show in 2011.

“I bought Warrior from Charlene after I’d had bad riding accident,” said Jodie. “He is the reason I am still riding today — he got my confidence back both in and out of the ring. We ended up establishing an amazing partnership.”

Jodie and the home-produced Warrior tallied up results including a fifth at HOYS in 2014, reserve ridden supreme at the Fell Pony breed show in 2015 and reserve in the Pretty Polly native final at the RIHS in 2017.

“We qualified for the Olympia senior finals at his first outing as a veteran. He was a true showman and he loved the limelight. He had the heart of a winner which he proved with his results,” she said.

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“At home he enjoyed a varied life; he loved the beach and hacking. He was a gentleman and made me laugh every day. I wouldn’t even be riding without this pony. I really do owe him the world.”

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. This week, make sure you catch up on the latest from the winter showing shows in your area in H&H’s new winter highlights series. Also in this issue, don’t miss our dressage special with lots of exclusive content. 

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More Fell and Dales ponies will be able to qualify for this year’s Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October following the news that the breeds will contest their own individual mountain and moorland (M&M) finals at the show.

Fell and Dales ponies have competed together at HOYS since the Highlands were awarded their own breed final in 2011.

HOYS organiser Grandstand Media said this “exciting development” has come about as a result of “ongoing collaboration between Grandstand Media Ltd and the showing societies”.

“This will allow each of these breeds to see a higher minimum number represented at the final,” said a spokesman for Grandstand, which will also be making alterations to the format to some of the qualifiers due to take place this season.

“All eyes will be on the M&M large breed qualifiers as we see an increase in the amount of individual qualifying opportunities for the Fell, Dales, New Forest and Highland ponies, by opening out one of the combined classes to now be individual breed qualifiers.”

Enthusiasts of these large breeds have been pushing for separate finals and qualifying fixtures for several years, which is in line with other breeds such as the Welsh and the Connemaras, who have their own respective classes throughout the term and at the NEC.

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Event director Emma Williams said: “As host of the most prestigious national showing championships, we have listened to feedback and are delighted to have responded to such popular demand by amending the qualifying opportunities for these native breeds and seeing both the Fell and Dales breed individually have their moment at HOYS.

“This move is part of Grandstand Media’s long-term commitment to see each individual native breed represented with their own championship at HOYS. We always value feedback from competitors and societies and each year we evaluate the number of animals coming forward so that we can allow the show to continue to move forward and expand. Our continued work with the showing societies is fundamental to improve showing for all, and we are proud to be supporting the initiatives which they are implementing for the upcoming season.”

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A Cumbrian hill farmer has been ordered to pay over £16,000 for keeping his herd of Fell ponies on land to which he has grazing rights.

Bill Potter, 79, was convicted of running his animals on Birkbeck Common, a site of special scientific interest (SSSI), without the consent of Natural England, in September.

His solicitor Elnyed Ashcroft said Mr Potter is appealing his conviction and the amount he has to pay, in a fine and costs, which she described as “excessive”.

She said she had written to Natural England last year, as she does not believe bringing charges against a man of Mr Potter’s age, for grazing one of a handful of traditionally-kept Fell pony herds left in Cumbria on the common, is in the public interest. Fell ponies are recognised as an endangered species by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

“I have asked Natural England to say how much they have spent pursuing this case but they have not disclosed this,” Mrs Ashcroft said.

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“I estimate the cost to the public will be hundreds of thousands of pounds. This is especially concerning as Natural England is facing criticism for not protecting the remainder of the 4,100 SSSIs in the UK for which it is responsible, and it blames a lack of funds for this.”

Mr Potter’s appeal will be held at crown court on a date yet to be confirmed.

A Natural England spokesman said the body cannot comment on ongoing legal proceedings.

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

In the current edition (18 October), you can find a full report on Britain’s eventing Nations Cup triumph, pages of hunting reports, pictures and features, news on the horse world uniting against the bullies, and meet the team keeping The Queen’s ponies on the road.

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Find out more about the pony who has defied the odds to qualify for the BHS Royal International Horse Show for the first time

A major tendon injury would signal the end of a ridden career for a lot horses, let alone one in the show ring. But one home-produced family’s plucky Fell pony has defied the odds to not only come back sound as a pound but go on to qualify for both the Royal International (RIHS) and the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS).

Foalsyke Little Topper, a 10-year-old bay stallion standing at 13.2hh, was bought by Tamworth-based Julie Fisher three years ago for her daughter, Hope, who was 16 at the time.

“I bought him unseen from a photograph, on a bit of a whim really,” said Julie. “It was worth the risk as he ticked every box.”

While Hope and ‘Topper’ got their partnership off to a flying start, a year later the stallion went unsound.

“It took us a long time to work out what he had done, and he was initially treated for a suspensory ligament,” continued Julie. “But we realised this wasn’t the problem, as his lameness was reoccurring.”

Eight months later, Topper went to Newmarket and was diagnosed with a torn Manika tendon.

“He had an operation to remove the torn tendon and was on box rest for a long time. After some time in, I had to walk him out twice a day, for three months.

“We considered retiring him to stud, as just when we thought we had got him right, we would be back to square one. We never thought about putting him to sleep, though, he is just too special. The whole process took about 18 months.”

After a heartbreaking two years, Topper’s road to recovery finally came to an end, and the pony made a triumphant return to the show ring this season. The pair joined up to Ponies (UK) with the intention of contending the RIHS young rider qualifiers, but at the start of the year, found themselves with no transport for three months.

Julie continued: “We only managed to get three RIHS qualifiers booked in. At the last qualifier of the year (Staffordshire County Show) we borrowed a trailer and loaded Topper up, who completely surprised us by winning both the junior class with Hope and the amateurs with my other daughter, Poppy.”

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The Fisher’s fairytale continued into mid-May when Topper and Hope went onto win their second ever HOYS qualifier at The Show Register spring show before landing the overall ridden championship.

“This will be Topper’s first time at Hickstead, and will certainly be an emotional one after the rocky road we’ve endured.”

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Every year, Fell pony breeders and enthusiasts from across the country flock to Cumbria to compete and spectate at the breed society’s annual stallion show (12 May 2018). Held in the backdrop of Dalemain country house, the show is a shop window for those looking to scout out the next generation of future riding and breeding stallions. But who won big at the 2018 fixture?

1. Lunesdale Black Ice

Supreme of show for the second year in a row was the super-handsome stallion Lunesdale Black Ice, owned and exhibited by Katie Raine.

2. Birkettbank Master John

Future talent: reserve in the supreme was Rob Briggs’ two-year-old colt, Birkettbank Master John.

3. Hard at work

Judge David Lovegreen inspects the conformation of one of his competitors.

4. Wellbrow Edwin

Versatile: Zoe Marsden’s home-produced ridden stallion Wellbrow Edwin landed a win under saddle.

5. Stennerskeugh Kestrel

Winner of the three and four-year-old class was Bert and Carole Morland’s striking grey Stennerskeugh Kestrel, who was shown by John Potter.

6. Greenholme Hot Rod

Nicola Chippendale showed her own Greenholme Hot Rod to win the gelding section title.

7. An exciting day out

Young colts appear enthusiastic about being out on the spring grass.

8. Stennerskeugh Smoke

Elegance: Stennerskeugh Smoke won the driving class with his owner Gilly Chippendale.

9. Deepghyll Lucky Touch

Deepghyll Lucky Touch clinched a strong ridden gelding class with Gillian Ridding in the saddle.

10. Worthy champions

Overall supreme and reserve supreme show off their sashes as they stand in front of Dalemain Country House.

Don’t miss this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (17 May 2018) for our full report and analysis from the Royal Windsor Horse Show

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More than 120 Fell ponies provided The Queen with “one of her best birthday events” in Windsor Park.

Members of the Fell Pony Society travelled from across the country and beyond to form a guard of honour for Her Majesty on 17 July.

The idea came from society president Mary Longsdon MBE who told a meeting of the society’s council she wanted to take 90 ponies to Windsor to celebrate The Queen’s 90th birthday.

“A few eyebrows were raised around the table, but the council agreed it was certainly an idea worth progressing,” a spokesman said.

“The result was a unique and fabulous event, with society members invited to attend a private event held at Windsor Park, to pay tribute to their patron by providing a guard of honour; an event described by the Queen’s stud groom, Terry Pendry, as ‘making history’.”

Many more people applied to take part than had been planned but when asked about numbers, The Queen told the society she wanted to see all those who wanted to attend.

Riders, one of whom travelled from Germany, wore red rugby shirts bearing a logo incorporating Windsor Castle and the society’s guard of honour.

Fell Pony Society chairman Eileen Walker led the 128 ponies to line the route as The Queen drove past in a carriage pulled by four Fell ponies, and followed by those owned by the Royal Family and stabled at Windsor.

The spokesman added: “The Queen was delighted to inspect the large number of ponies and learn that they had travelled from all parts of the UK as well as from abroad to take part in this historic event.

“She commented that she thought Fell ponies were a rare breed and seeing so many together was a wonderful sight and one of her best birthday events.”

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Her Majesty was introduced to society members and their ponies.

“It was a unique, once in a lifetime experience, with everyone enjoying the marvellous surroundings and appreciating how special this event was to everyone, including The Queen,” said the spokesman.

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Knowing what your native pony was bred for will enable you to show them off correctly in the show ring. From a fast but smooth walk perfect for ploughing fields or carrying large loads over great distances, to ground-covering trots ideal for shepherding sheep and hunting wolves, this is what native breeds were used for in bygone years:

Shetlands

Small but hardy, Shetland ponies were commonly used to transport peat from the bogs and seaweed to fertilise fields. Some also became pit ponies, or were used as pack animals.

Highlands

Highlands were bred to work on farms in their native Scotland. From carrying deer and game off the hills, to transporting timber and ploughing fields — these sturdy ponies are capable of hard, heavy work.

Fell

Native to the North of England, Fell ponies were used by the Vikings to plough and pull sledges, as well as for riding and pack work. Their fast but comfortable walk made them ideal for carrying anything from material and food to local metal ores. Fells were also used for shepherding and hunting wolves to protect the flock.

Modern Fell ponies are renowned for their ground-covering trot, and have been used for trotting races in the past.

Dartmoor

Native to Devon and recorded as living on Dartmoor since the Middle Ages, this breed’s metabolism enables them to survive in tough conditions, ideal for working in the mines, carrying large loads as a pack animal and shepherding sheep. Their temperament made the ponies a popular ride, as they are today.

Exmoor

This breed dates back to when the Celts settled in Britain. The ponies were tamed and broken to pull chariots, as well as being ridden, used as pack animals and ploughing the land.

Welsh ponies

Section A: The smallest of the Welsh mountain ponies were useful for shepherding sheep, mining and riding, as well as being pack animals.

Section B: These ponies were also intended for pulling carts and carriages.

Sections C and D: All of the above, plus useful for farm work. Welsh mountain ponies could also be seen driving cattle.

Dales

Known for strength, hardiness, courage and stamina, the Dales pony has strong mining links. Evolved from the Scotch Galloway pack animal, the breed was used to transport lead, coal and ore from the mines of North Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyneside to the ports on the coast.

Dales ponies are capable of carrying heavy loads over long distances, and were also driven, ridden and used for farm work.

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Connemara

This compact, surefooted and intelligent breed stands on short legs but covers a lot of ground. Still popular for riding with adults and children alike, the attributes of a Connemara has made them ideal for farm work and driving for years.

New Forest

Having roamed the New Forest, Hampshire, since the end of the last Ice Age, these fast and sure-footed ponies have been a popular riding choice for centuries. History shows them being used to carry large weights over long distances, plus hunting and farm work.

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Townend Schubert was crowned the Blue Chip Native British Show Pony Society (BSPS) Heritage Supreme champion at Olympia this afternoon (Monday 21 December).

The six-year-old Fell stallion, by Heltondale Bonzo Boy out of Townend Shandy, was ridden by his owner Rebecca Penny.

Watch Rebecca talk about the victory in the following video:

“It’s been 10 years since I’ve ridden a pony I own myself at Olympia so this is extra special,” said Rebecca, a web designer who bought Townend Schubert as an unbroken three-year-old.

“He’s probably only done five shows all year. He qualified for Olympia in his first open class [at Suffolk County].”

Townend Schubert, who also won his section at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), caught the judge’s eye with his flawless individual show and good manners.

“He’s a particularly good example of the breed — his rider knew how to show him off,” said conformation judge Henrietta Knight.

“Schubert is produced by Aimee Devane at Follywood Stud. It’s hard in the winter when everywhere is knee-deep in mud, but all credit to them — he looked fantastic today,” added Rebecca.

“His mane and tail stays straight by itself, unlike some which need a lot of preparation. He’s a like a L’Oréal model.”

Reserve was the seven-year-old Welsh section D Ringside Gameover, ridden by Alexandra Williams for Katie Williams.

“Due to work commitments he’s only been shown seven times this year and he qualified for Olympia at the BSPS Heritage champs — his first attempt,” said Katie of the bay stallion who was Welsh section D of the year at HOYS.

“Six weeks before HOYS we lost [his dam] Sydenham Gooseberry. Words can’t describe how much she meant to us and how very special Ringside Gameover is.”

A total of 39 ponies came forward to contest the championship. The top three are all stallions, with the cream dun Benbreac Of Croila finishing third.

The eight-year-old Highland, who stood Heritage supreme at the BSPS summer championships in August, was ridden by Matthew Cooper for Mrs M Stanford.

Continued below…

If you love Olympia, then you shouldn’t miss this…

British Show Pony Society Heritage final results

1, R Penny’s Townend Schubert (and best Fell), 168

2, K Williams’ Ringside Game Over (and best Welsh section D), 166

3, M Stanford’s Benbreac Of Croila (and best Highland), 163

4, I Gawith’s Menai Celtic Hero (and best Welsh section C), 161

5, S Field’s Tarbarl Matthew (and best Dales), 158

6, V Wharton’s Greenholme Hairy Harry, 156

7, S Hird’s Saith Magical Ginger, 155

8, S Burton’s Banks Timber (and best Connemara), 154

9, G Stanford’s Tower Clyde, 154

10, M Wood’s Swchyrhafod Brenin, 153

Best of breeds

Welsh section A — I Latter’s Powys Sprite, 152

Welsh section B — K Scott’s Cadlanvalley Sandpiper, 148

Dartmoor — D Barr’s Okeleat Navigator, 149

Exmoor — M Bryant’s Moonpenny Aquarius, 138

Shetland — A Stevens’ Brinleyview Camanchee, 149

New Forest — G Jeffries’ Applewitch Magister, 128

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

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Is this a Highland? A particularly heavy, hirsute Connemara?

Actually, he’s neither. Murthwaite Windrush is a Fell pony: usually, along with the Dales, the Henry Ford of natives — any colour, so long as it’s black.

And Windy’s unusual colouring has impressed the judges. He qualified for Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) at the Fell Breed Show (10 August) at only his 8th outing under saddle.

Jenny Crane’s 12-year-old stallion was only broken last year but, says rider Steph Wheway, has taken to it “like a duck to water”.

She added: “His coat definitely makes him stand out — when the rest of the class is black, you can’t miss him!”

While grey Fell ponies are not unheard of, they are unusual and his owners are keen to know if he is the first to have qualified for HOYS.

There is, however, a downside, to having such a striking coat — keeping it “Persil-bright”.

“It takes us a good 2½hr to get him clean before a show,” Steph admits. “If he were black, it would be around 30min.”

➤ Do you know an unusually coloured native that has qualified for HOYS? Let us know at hhletters@ipcmedia.com

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (22 August, 2013)

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Jeanette McGuinness is competing at the Espayo National Dressage Championships 2012 for the first-time with her eight-year-old fell pony gelding, Greenholme Duke, in the Centaur Position Perfect Prelim class. They are recent dressage converts having been competing at affiliated level for just over a year.

Wow, the national dressage championships have been awesome. Having only started dressage a year ago, and having already competed in three regionals, I’m buzzing to have been placed 12th out of 28 riders with a pure-bred fell pony at the nationals.

Duke certainly turned a few heads as we arrived and he seemed to be just as excited as I was. One of the best parts of our experience was the exercise session on Wednesday evening with the excitement of wondering which famous face I might bump into next.

Duke was quite lit up and jogged sideways throughout the 30min arena ‘walk’ before finally settling during the working in (phew!). This was also a little daunting as we were greeted by rather a lot of large horses, ranging from prelim through to grand prix. Once that was over Duke settled back into his stable for the night.

Before I knew it the time had come and I found myself back in the warm up arena dodging even more big talented horses. “Three more to go,” said the steward and the countdown was on. The atmosphere was epic and looking towards the pavilion I could see that it was getting rather full. Then my number was called and I made my way under the fancy archway of flowers and into the arena with a brave but slightly nervous Duke. Buzz went the bell and away we went.

I don’t think I took a breathe throughout the entire test, but it was incident free and we were rewarded with the biggest cheer of the day so far! I left the arena with a huge smile. We scored 66.21%.

The whole experience from beginning to end was a joy. No matter what horse you have, I would certainly recommend trying your hand at dressage as if I can get to the Nationals with a fell pony then I’m sure it isn’t out of reach for you too.

Jeanette

Thursday’s champions

Centaur Position Perfect Prelim champion: Daisy Coakley and Cleopatra II (72.12%)

Stretch & Flex Elementary Restricted champion: Hannah Bates and Essentially M&S (69.38%)

Suregrow Advanced Medium Restricted champion: Chloe Vell and Kaja Di Valentina (67.00%)

Horse Health Intermediate champion: Becky Moody and Caluna (68.92%)

Winergy Prix St Georges: Carl Hester and Dances with Wolves (74.34%)

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Nearly 1,000 fells and dales breeders have submitted samples from their horses to be tested for Fell Pony Syndrome in the past year.

Fell Pony Syndrome, which is now known as Foal Immunodeficiency Syndrome (FIS) as it also affects other breeds of ponies, is an untreatable, fatal condition.

Foals affected by FIS have severe progressive anaemia and a deficient immune system, which leads them to succumb to infection. Foals with FIS usually die by the age of three months.

A three-year research project to create a genetic test for the syndrome was led by Dr June Swinburne at the Animal Health Trust in collaboration with Professor Stuart Carter of

Liverpool University and was funded by equine charity The Horse Trust.

It identified the mutation that causes the disease and developed a genetic test to identify ponies carrying the mutation.

As the disease only occurs in foals when two carriers are bred together, breeders can use the test to prevent the disease by ensuring that known carriers are not bred together.

Since the genetic test was launched in February 2010, Swinburne’s team has tested 970 samples from fell and dales ponies, of which three quarters were from fell ponies.

There are around 8,000 fell ponies worldwide and around 1,100 dales ponies in the UK, so this means that nearly 10 percent of fells and more than 20 percent of dales ponies have been tested for FIS.

“This test has been a massive success among the fell and dales pony breeding communities,” said Dr Swinburne.

“We hope the test will prevent unnecessary suffering among fell and dales pony foals as breeders can now easily prevent the conception of foals with FIS.

“As so many breeders tested their breeding stock last year, we hope there will be very few foals affected by this horrendous disease in the future.”

Dr Swinburne found that 47 percent of fell ponies and 10 percent of dales ponies carry the mutation for FIS.

“We are really excited that the research we’ve funded has had such a big impact on the welfare of fell and dales ponies.

“We hope that breeders will continue to make use of this test to ensure that no more ponies have to suffer needlessly from this distressing disease,” said Jeanette Allen, chief executive officer of The Horse Trust.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound (10 March, 2011)

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A Fell stallion was the winner of the mountain and moorland in-hand overall championships on the third day of Royal Windsor Horse Show, while a Dales mare stood reserve.

Llancloudy Gabriel, an eight-year-old stallion owned by Jules Jordan from Hampshire, stood above Suzanne Hobday’s Dales mare Sunglow Black Pearl, in what was a remarkable victory for some of the less popular native breeds.

Jules Jordan, who describes herself as a ‘total outsider amateur’, has owned the stallion since he was seven months old and produced him herself. He combines showing with covering duties and a busy ridden career — he takes part in cross-country and fun rides, and is going to start doing ridden M&Ms this season.

Eighteen ponies went through to the championships in the main arena, where judge Jo Custerson narrowed her selection down to five, including Llanarth Fiery Jack (Welsh Section D), Iona of Conway (Highland) and Llanarth Da Vinci (Welsh section B), before giving the nod to the Fell and Dales.

The mountain and moorland classes that morning attracted larger than normal crowds when Her Majesty the Queen arrived to watch her own ponies competing in the Fell and Highland classes.

Don’t miss H&H full report on all the action from Royal Windsor, on sale Thursday 20 May

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The Fell Pony Society (FPS) is offering free fell pony syndrome testing to its members if they have a sick foal or wish to license a new stallion this breeding season.

Around 25 foals are affected by the genetic condition — also known as foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS) — each year.

Scientists at the Animal Health Trust (AHS) pinpointed the gene responsible (news, 17 December 2009) and a new DNA test became available last month.

FPS chairman Mary Longsdon said: “This is a welfare issue. We want to encourage breeders to test sick foals as soon as possible. And if they have FIS, we will reimburse the cost of the test.”

The FPS will also test each colt or stallion licensed for the first time this year.

With carrier-to-carrier matings there is a 25% chance the foal will be clear, a 50% chance it will be a carrier and a 25% chance it will have FIS.

And the mating of a carrier pony to a clear pony gives a 50% chance of a foal being a carrier, but no chance of FIS.

“There is no need to stop breeding from carriers,” added Mrs Longsdon.

Breeder Sarah Charlton, of the Linnels Stud, Hexham, plans to test 12 of her ponies.

“If any of my ponies turns out to be a carrier I will be open about it,” she told H&H.

The test costs £40, including VAT. Hair samples are taken by a vet and sent to the AHT.

Sick foals’ test results can be fast-tracked within three days, otherwise it takes 30 days.

The AHS received 119 samples for testing last month.

➤ For a testing kit, contact the Fell Pony Society — www.fellponysociety.org.uk, the Dales Pony Society — www.dalespony.org, or the Animal Health Trust —www.aht.org.uk.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (11 March, ’10)

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A five-year old registered fell mare has been returned to her owners after being stolen over seven months ago from fields in Cumbria.

Hettie was stolen on 6 June 2009 during the Appleby Horse Fair, a gathering of gypsies and travellers that takes place annually in Cumbria’s Eden Valley

She was returned to her rightful owners when a breeder in Kent became suspicious about the origins of a pony he had bought.

He had bought the mare in September from travellers at a horse fair in Kent, but soon became apprehensive when they failed to produce her passport.

After spotting an appeal for information about Hettie on the Fell Pony Society website, he got in touch with her owners.

“He asked if Hettie had any distinctive markings,” owner Derrick Byas told H&H, “and when he found out that she had been microchipped, decided to scan the pony he had bought.

“When the number scanned matched the number in our pony’s passport we were amazed and delighted.”

Arrangements were made to transport Hettie back to Cumbria, and she is now roaming her home turf with her mother and daughter.

“We have been extremely lucky,” continued Derrick. “It certainly shows the positives of the microchip legislation!”

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Scientists have made a breakthrough that could mean an end to foals suffering the fatal condition Fell Pony Syndrome.

The genetic mutation responsible for the syndrome — also known as foal immunodeficiency syndrome (FIS) — has been pinpointed.

And a DNA test to identify carriers will be available at the Animal Health Trust (AHT) from February.

Geneticist Dr June Swinburne of the AHT said: “After 10 years of research, this is an exciting and important discovery for breeders of fell and dales ponies.

“Breeders will be able to make informed decisions about which ponies to breed. This should prevent unnecessary suffering and, in time, eradicate this condition.”

Foals affected with FIS appear normal at birth but within a few weeks begin to lose condition. Severe anaemia and immune dysfunction follows, leading to wasting and death.

Fell Pony Society chairman Mary Longsdon said: “About 40% of fell ponies are carriers of this disease and, if both parents are carriers, a foal has a one-in-four chance of being affected.

“I believe the test is marvellous news for the breed.”

FIS can also affect dales ponies, which have a shared ancestry with fells.

Secretary of the Dales Pony Society Jo Ashby said her society was “delighted” and breeders would discuss the breakthrough at their meeting in February.

Some of the funding for the research, carried out by the AHT and Liverpool University, came from The Horse Trust.

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (17 December, ’09)

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Scientists are undertaking ground-breaking research into a fatal genetic defect that has been killing Fell ponies for generations.

The Animal Health Trust at Newmarket and Liverpool University has received £114,000 of funding from the Horse Trust to find a way to eliminate Fell pony syndrome.

Fell pony syndrome is a genetic defect that leads to foals being born with a severe immune deficiency. Barely surviving for weeks, the foals catch myriad diseases and ailments for which they have no defence.

Dr June Swinburne, who is leading the project said: “Fell pony syndrome is probably the result of in-breeding around the Second World War, when there were few breeding lines.”

Following the research, Dr Swinburne says breeders will be able to test whether their pony is a carrier.

“Once we’ve identified the genetic fault, we will be able to prevent diseased foals being born,” she said.

The Fell Pony Society will be working with the scientists.

Chairman Mary Longsdon said: “Fell pony syndrome is extremely nasty. The foals die before your eyes and there’s nothing you can do.”

Fell ponies live in semi-feral herds, but are all registered and owned. They are designated as “at risk” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, with less than 1,500 breeding mares globally.

www.fellponysociety.org

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The Horse Trust has awarded three new grants to support scientific research during 2008.

The charity has been providing grants to improve equine welfare since 1965 and excellent progress is being made into the diagnosis and prediction of some of the most complex equine ailments.

This year, Dr June Swinburne of the Animal Health Trust has been awarded £113,615 for her work in identifying the genetic defect in Fell pony syndrome — a condition that compromises the immune system of Fell ponies — and to Dr Martin Weaver of the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Science, £188,155 for his study into laminitis pain.

Dr J Matthews of the Department of Parasitology at Moredun Research Institute has been granted £241,822 to fund work into identifying resistance in small redworms.

The charity has also awarded five clinical scholarships to veterinary students over the past three years.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (7 February, ’08)

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Cumberland Fell ponies are being used in favour of 4x4s to repair paths in the Lake District. Yesterday morning a team of six ponies carried 200 empty stone bags from Black Sail Hut Ennerdale, Britain’s most remote youth hostel, to Brandreth in the Western Fells. The bags will be filled with stone and airlifted to Loft Beck coast walk, for use on footpaths in need of urgent repair.

The ponies made two journeys to Brandreth over the course of the day, loaded with flat packs of 20 empty bags. They were led by experienced volunteers and National Trust Staff for the 1.8 mile journeys. “The alternative would have been to use helicopters, 4×4 vehicles, or teams attempting to carry 10 at a time,” said a spokesperson for the fixthefells project (www.fixthefell.co.uk) who organised the journey along with the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk). “This method has far less impact on the landscape and keeps traditional methods of transport alive.”

Fell ponies are a hardy breed, more than capable of the job, according to Christine Robinson from Kerbeck Stud in Lamplugh who supplied and managed the ponies. “Some of the terrain was quite difficult and the last part had a very steep gradient,” she explained. “It is great to see the National Trust using the Fell Ponies in their natural habitat to provide a solution to transporting the empty bags from A to B, and assist the footpath workers in the fixthefells project.”

The Kerbeck Fell ponies compete at shows and participate in Pony Club and Riding Club events but the National Trust is keen to use them again as an alternative to diesel. “We need to keep these fell traditions alive and I am very happy that the ponies have something meaningful to work on,” said Christine. “I think they really enjoyed it. They went at the rate of knots and were very willing.”

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The Fell pony could die out if the breeding of feral and semi-feral young stock is not encouraged. According to the Fell Pony Society, the popularity of the breed is flourishing but the natural characteristics of the ponies can only be preserved if there are feral herds.

A study by conservation scientist David Murray has shown increasing numbers of Fell pony breeders in Cumbria and the Lake District are retiring as grazing on uplands has become limited, leaving only 400 breeding females in the area. Landowners and authorities are failing to recognise their potential importance to upland conservation, according to Dr Murray, and endangering the breed as a whole.

Stocky, thick-coated Fell ponies, usually 13 to 14hh, date back to Roman times and are known for their good natures and hardiness. The breed is popular in both showing and driving circles; the Queen breeds Fell ponies and the Duke of Edinburgh uses them for driving. International demand, particularly from America, is at an all time high.

But in order to preserve the characteristics of the breed, breeders have to go back to feral and semi-feral stallions. “It is the only way to maintain their hardiness, thriftiness and sure-footedness,” explained a spokesperson for the Fell Pony Society, “There will be no more than a dozen herds of ponies reared on the fell in the UK this year. More needs to be done to keep them in their natural environment.”

The society is encouraging landowners and bodies such as English Nature to recognise the potential conservation benefits of grazing Fell ponies, in order to encourage breeders. “The semi feral herds are declining,” said the spokesperson. “They are ideal conversationalists but organisations do not recognise this.”

Fell ponies can survive harsh weather conditions and eat poor quality forage such as the coarser grasses rather than wild flowers or heather, which needs to be preserved. Their grazing patterns encourage rare wild flower species by opening up grazed areas amongst taller vegetation. According to Mr Murray they encourage the type of vegetation suitable for birds, invertebrates and plant communities.

In a Royal Geographical Society survey in 2005 Dr Murray wrote: “Encouraging ponies to live in the British Uplands could enhance biodiversity, save important genetic stock, help preserve changing landscapes and ensure the survival of a significant cultural heritage.”

On Friday 20 October the annual sale of registered Fell ponies will take place at Penrith & District Farmers’ Mart, Penrith, Cumbria. Ponies offered for sale will range from foals and youngstock to newly broken and experienced ponies, some of which will have been reared on the fell and from semi-feral herds.

For further details please visit the Fell Pony Society website: www.fellponysociety.org

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Numbers of Fell ponies in the Lake District are worryingly low, but tourism may help to raise funds to boost the population, says a report for Defra written by scientist Dr David Murray.

Wild ponies migrated to the British Isles as early as 15,000 BC, and the Fell pony that exists today has remained largely unchanged since Roman times. The breed has had a colourful history, pulling sledges for the Vikings and shepherding in the Norman period.

But sadly only 400 breeding Fell females survive today, and the outlook for even these could be bleak because a lack of funding means that potential young breeders are not able to continue, according to the study.

However, Dr Murray believes that an untapped resource in the form of eco- tourism could give the breed a future. Very few visitors to the Lake District are aware of the semi- wild breed’s existence, and even fewer realise how long the ponies have been part of our heritage, he found.

Breeders currently derive no income from the horses as a tourist attraction, and Dr Murray hopes that this could change. North West rural Development service adviser Joanne Moysey agrees that the ponies could be ‘a real asset for tourism’ and may bring ‘economic and environmental benefits for the Cumbrian fells.’

The report suggests that if people were told more about the ponies then they would be more likely incorporate a trip to see them into a day out in the area, and the entrance fee could go towards breeding more Fell ponies to ensure they continue to pepper the hills.

Another benefit would be that the area might attract different kinds of people to the Lake District, which would benefit the local economy.

‘The Fell pony is an undervalued heritage asset in the Lake District, Cumbria and England. Potential roles and economic viability of Fell pony herds as a part of sustainable tourism remain unexamined,’ Dr Murray maintains.

The report says that with a view to working towards such a policy, the Cumbria Tourist Board is currently preparing a ‘Cumbria Equine Tourist Strategy,’ and The Lake District National Tourist Office and the Northumberland Tourist Board might also explore diversification strategies. Until then the ponies must continue to fend for themselves.

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