EXMOOR Pony Festival finishes this weekend with the grand finale of a family fun Model Pony and Hobby Horse Show tomorrow (August 20) to round off 15 days of activities ranging from demonstrations and rides to walks and a barbecue.

The festival has been organised by the Exmoor Pony Centre and Exmoor Pony Society, and the show is the idea of pony book author Victoria Eveleigh, who has run a hill farm, including Exmoor ponies, near Lynton with her husband Chris, for 30 years.

“The model pony and hobby horse show is a new thing for the festival, and they are tremendous fun,” said Victoria.

“They are really popular in America and becoming incredibly popular across Europe.

“They are lovely because all ages can take part and people can have the fun of a horse show – without having to own a horse.”

Some model horse shows are very serious, she said, but the Sunday festival is a fun event, for all breeds, sizes and makes of model horses and ponies – including home-made ones.

There will be rosettes and prizes for competition classes ranging from ridden and not ridden, to driving, scenes, vintage, fancy dress and even peg ponies.

The Model Pony and Hobby Horse Show is taking place from 2pm to 5pm in the Green Room at the Exmoor Pony Centre at Ashwick, Dulverton.

Visitors are invited to bring their own picnic, and tea, coffee, squash and biscuits will be available at tea time.

Entry is £1 per class on the day and organisers are inviting people to just turn up with their model ponies and hobby horses; no booking is required.