Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team to bring festive cheer with Christmas fancy dress ride

On Sunday, December 15th, the Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team will add a touch of Christmas magic to the lanes of Dartmoor as over 20 young riders and their ponies take part in a festive fancy dress ride. The event, complete with tinsel and seasonal cheer, aims to raise vital funds for the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony, a local charity dedicated to safeguarding the future of Dartmoor’s semi-wild pony herds.

Starting from the charity’s headquarters at Corndonford Farm near Poundsgate at 12 noon, the riders, aged between six and 18, will journey to Bel Tor car park. Accompanied by volunteers on foot and a few young ponies in training, the festive procession will offer the public an opportunity to meet the ponies at the car park before they return to the farm.

Following the ride, at 2PM, the charity invites the community to join them at Corndonford Farm for carol singing, hot drinks, mince pies, and a chance to meet more of the ponies.

Charlotte Faulkner, founder of the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony, shared her excitement for the event: "We are all looking forward to getting together for a fun Christmas celebration. But this is also about raising awareness of the importance of Dartmoor's hill ponies and raising vital funds to keep going with our work."

The Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony is a volunteer-led organisation committed to ensuring the survival of Dartmoor’s semi-wild herds, which are essential to the moor’s unique landscape and biodiversity. Funds raised during the event will support critical activities, such as winter feeding, which costs the charity thousands of pounds each year.

Each year, the charity provides care and training for young ponies gathered during the annual pony drifts on Dartmoor. Volunteers ensure the ponies receive veterinary treatment, nourishment, and handling to prepare them for new homes. This work demonstrates the value of these hardy and intelligent ponies beyond the moor, helping to secure their future and that of the wild herds.

Dartmoor’s hill ponies have been a part of the moor’s heritage for centuries, playing a key role in maintaining its landscapes. Their grazing habits contribute to the preservation of the moor’s biodiversity, including its rare plants and insects. However, the ponies face challenges from habitat loss, reduced grazing rights, and financial pressures on farmers.

The Dartmoor Hill Pony Display Team, comprised of young riders and ponies trained by the charity, helps raise awareness about the ponies’ versatility and value. Their efforts not only spotlight the ponies’ capabilities off the moor but also celebrate their enduring role in Dartmoor’s cultural and ecological fabric.

To learn more about the Friends of the Dartmoor Hill Pony and their work, visit wildtowonderful.org.

To support the Christmas Fancy Dress Ride and help protect Dartmoor’s ponies, please consider donating at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/christmas-fancy-dress-sponsored-ride-and-carols

This festive celebration is a heartwarming reminder of Dartmoor’s rich traditions and the importance of preserving its natural treasures for future generations. Join the ride, meet the ponies, and help make a difference this Christmas!