Native Pony Pilgrimage

How to raise the profile of the British native ponies? That was the question that taxed Pam Harvey Richards who is an ardent supporter not only of the ponies she breeds, the New Forest ponies, but also of all Britain's nine native breeds. (The rest being Connemaras, Dales, Dartmoors, Exmoors, Fells, Highlands, Shetlands and Welsh plus Eriskays and Lundy ponies as additional types).

Her solution was to devise the Native Pony Pilgrimage that has been taking place during May, June and July. The British Horse Society also has an on-going drive to publicise the importance of the bridleway system and both aims combined into the one project.

The Pilgrimage asks of each native breed society that representatives ride or drive from the breed's home area to the Royal Show at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire using bridleways as much as possible. This sounds quite a straightforward task but in terms of logistics has been very demanding.

Congratulations go to all those who have taken on the organisation. The culmination of the ride is a Native Pony Pageant on July 8th at the Royal, where eight riders for each breed are depicting aspects of their breed's history.

Given the wide geographical spread of the breeds, some journeys had to start in May, the Shetlands being the first. Routes were planned so that where possible, breeds would meet up with each other and go on together.

The Shetlands and Highlands had their rendezvous at the stunning location of Balmoral by kind permission of Her Majesty, the Queen.

June 13th saw the start of the Exmoor pilgrimage at Exford in the heart of Exmoor. Torrential rain early in the morning kindly gave way to a reasonable day for the riders. One driven and five ridden Exmoors, together with a Fell, a Dales and an Icelandic (an Honorary Exmoor for the day) assembled at the Crown Hotel.

Whilst other send-offs were much grander (over 40 riders started the New Forest ride), the Exmoor event was enjoyable for its sheer simplicity and the atmosphere of friendship which everyone felt whether riding or spectating.

The ride was officially set off by the Rector of Exmoor, the Reverend Robin Ray, with a most beautiful prayer:

The Prayer

God of all, we give you thanks for that miracle of creation, the Exmoor Pony, made to thrive where times can be hard and the weather harsh.

We thank you for those, who through the ages, have afforded them protection and for those in our own day who actively espouse their cause.

May all who work with our ponies be endowed with sensitivity and skill and so may these lovely creatures continue to be an active symbol, Heavenly Father, of your endless care for all that you have made.

The Blessing

And now, O Lord, Bless these who are assembled here and we commend them to your keeping as they travel to Stoneleigh. Give them your protection on the way Enfold them in your peace Grant them happy fellowship with all whom they encounter And bring them safely to their journey's end

Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

On the 23rd of June, attention shifted to Longleat House in Wiltshire where the Exmoors and Dartmoors were to meet up with the New Forest contingent. The British Horse Society had organised a parade of pony breeds to welcome the riders. Almost all the native breeds were represented in the parade and each participant was presented with one of the Pilgrimage rosettes by the Chief Constable of Wiltshire.

At 3p.m. five Exmoors, 4 ridden and one driven, led the pilgrims down onto the lawns beside the house where they were warmly welcomed by all. Similar meetings have taken place along the routes for the other breeds.

And so the large distances from native homelands to stoneleigh have been ridden and driven by members of the societies in relays along the bridleways that remain available.

As this is written, they are nearing their final destination with the show and pageant just a week away.

For all involved, organising or participating, this Pilgrimage has been a huge undertaking. It has without doubt shown the wonderful variety and versatility to be found in Britain's ponies and also revealed the fragmentary nature of the bridleway system that so needs preserving.