Pride of BRITAIN

A royal family favourite, highly prized and 130,000 years old. Pony breeds native to the UK will be showcased in a new championship at Your Horse Live, and every single one has an interesting story to tell

HOW DO YOU judge a Dales pony against a Shetland, or an Exmoor against a Welsh Cob? This is the task that faces the judges of the new SEIB Insurance Brokers Mountain and Moorland Search for a Star competition, the final of which takes place at Your Horse Live in November (see box, page 28). There are nine breeds native to the UK and each has their own characteristics, having been bred to suit a particular purpose. It’s an understanding of this history that is essential for success in the show ring, so that you truly know why your native pony is built the way he is and how best to show him off. Even if you’re not aiming for the dizzy heights of the Your Horse Live final, there’s a remarkable amount of history tied up in your pony’s roots — so read on.