The 'scruffy' Exmoor ponies winning national dressage championships

Two Exmoor ponies have scooped top honours at a British dressage championship.

The ponies, owned by Eleanor Lunn and her sister Verity Goss from South Molton, are both registered with the Exmoor Pony Society. They were acquired through the Moorland Mousie Trust when they came off the moor at six months old.

Now 18 years old, the ponies are affectionately known by their stable names, Galahad and Cookie.

Eleanor said: “This was the second time the ponies have competed at the nationals. We came third last year and were utterly thrilled to win this time.

"It was a dream come true and it seemed quite incredible that a couple of scruffy moor ponies could beat some much fancier horses.”

The ponies won the introductory pairs at the British Riding Clubs National Introductory Championships, run by the British Horse Society.

Sheralee Matravers from the Exmoor Pony Society said: “It’s wonderful that two moorland ponies have not only been able to compete at national level in dressage but show horses considered to be of much higher breeding how it should be done!

“Both Anchor Buckthorn and Anchor Brown Ale are registered ponies - and were inspected by Exmoor Pony Society - and meet the strict breed standard that enables them to be included in the studbook.

"We congratulate their owners on the championship success, which shows just what a versatile and happy breed they are – whether competing on the national stage or just living outdoors in conservation grazing and rewilding environments.”

Eleanor added: “My sister and I were both pony mad and Verity was particularly fond of Exmoors.

"We were both volunteering at the Exmoor Pony Centre and loved helping with all the new foals – which included Buckthorn and Brown Ale.

"The ponies were handled daily when we got them home, mostly by Verity whilst I was at university, and they became easy to handle. I later backed them.

“It was especially wonderful to win as having had them since they were six months old I have done so much of the work myself.

"They are a challenge. Brown Ale is a very independent pony. He sees no point in repetition during training and needs to be kept mentally stimulated. Buckthorn was very timid, though his confidence has grown.

“They are wonderful ponies and have given us so much fun. We’re very proud of them.”