EXMOOR pony breeders Nick and Dawn Westcott have been kicked out of the organisation whose aim is to safeguard the future of the iconic breed. The decision this week by the Exmoor Pony Society to revoke the couple's membership is the culmination of months of bitter wrangling that has left breeders at loggerheads. The Westcotts, who farm at Luccombe near Minehead, run the Holtball Exmoor Pony Stud and founded the Exmoor Pony Club. But they have also been at the forefront of a controversial initiative to prevent the slaughter of moorland foals through the newly established Moorland Exmoor Foal Project. A statement confirming that the decision to revoke the Westcotts' membership had been discussed and ratified by the trustees was posted on the EPS website on Sunday. No details were given but a full statement is promised in the organisation's summer newsletter. But the decision has infuriated the Westcotts who say it has been taken without giving them a right of reply. They said a meeting was arranged for just under a fortnight ago, which would have required them to travel to the Midlands to put their case. But they warned the EPS this would not be possible and told officials the timescale was unreasonable because the statement outlining the reasons for the revocation was only received at the beginning of July. "We have done nothing wrong - only express concerns regarding EPS practices and the conduct of various officials, officers and members," Mrs Westcott has written in an open letter to EPS chairman David Brewer. The concerns raised by the couple range from the illegal multiple hot branding of domestic Exmoor pony foals to delays and difficulties with the inspection system to verify genetic heritage. Mrs Westcott claimed the 30-page document from the EPS setting out its concerns contained "misinformation and, in places, untruths" and was not received in sufficient time to read, take advice or reply to it. She maintained she and her husband had been the victims of a sustained campaign to isolate and discredit them. And she said the couple would be seeking recourse as the EPS had forcibly revoked their membership and obstructed their work with Exmoor ponies, compromising the reputation and potential success of their stud and various projects. "We consider the EPS is not fit for purpose," said Mrs Westcott. "And we will be contacting DEFRA, the Charity Commission and other appropriate authorities to protest about the persecution of ourselves and the damage being done to our Exmoor pony interests and the image and integrity of the Exmoor pony breed." Mrs Westcott said that, together with other Exmoor moorland farmers, she and her husband had repeatedly requested to meet with the EPS to discuss various concerns that they felt were compromising the integrity of the breed and welfare of the ponies. "All requests have been refused. We are deeply concerned that the current official breed society and passport issuing office for Exmoor ponies can act to compromise breeders and owners, obstruct good practice and allow a campaign of persecution to denigrate and discredit people. "Our reputations, stud and pony projects have all been severely compromised. "We will continue to work with our fellow Exmoor farmers and breeders and the various authorities to try to progress positive change." However, a statement from the EPS said its trustees had met three times to consider the resolution calling for the membership revocation which had been presented to society members at the annual meeting in May. Consideration had been given to one of the society's articles which required members to be bound by the memorandum and articles of association and which also stipulated that the committee, subject to a two-thirds majority and if it had good and sufficient reason, could terminate the membership of any member - provided they had had the right to be heard. The statement said the trustees had considered three areas in regard to the membership termination: * Support and compliance with the charity's aims, objects and rules. * Publication of factually incorrect information regarding the society, its officers and its rules. * The time expended on dealing with complaints resulting from both previous issues, preventing the society's officers from carrying out the charity's stated aims. "The trustees present - 12 of 13 - unanimously agreed that given the evidence before them and the opportunities given to those named in the resolution to respond at the annual general meeting, a meeting on June 2, a meeting on June 26 and a meeting on July 21 in person, by written correspondence and by sending a representative, that there was good and sufficient reason to terminate membership," said the statement. "The society has, at all times, considered this to be an internal matter and one that should be carried out in the knowledge of those individuals who, as members of the society, had a direct interest in ensuring that the charity's aims were upheld." The EPS said it looked forward to continuing its work as guardians of the breed in accordance with its memorandum and articles of association and rules which had been adopted following a democratic vote of all those entitled to vote on such matters.