AN organisation set up to safeguard Britain's oldest breed of native pony has created a permanent reminder of its founding.

The Exmoor Pony Society was launched at a meeting at the Red Lion Hotel in Dulverton - now known as The Lion.

And on Monday, 91 years later, the society recorded an important piece of Exmoor's history with the presentation of a birthplace plaque to the hotel's current owners Angela and Ian Johnson.

Making the presentation was renowned local artist Ann Le Bas from Winsford, whose grandfather Reginald Le Bas was the society's first secretary.

At the event, Miss Le Bas recalled going to committee meetings with her grandfather as a small child.

The Exmoor pony, officially an endangered species, has seen its numbers decline over many years.

Although the worldwide population now stands at around 1,400, at one time numbers dropped to just 50.

The society was formed in 1921 to encourage the breeding of the true native Exmoor and to conserve the breed in its natural state.

Today, members believe its aims are just as relevant.

The organisation undertakes the inspection and registration of all Exmoor pony foals and manages the official stud book.

It also works to promote the breed both for use as riding and driving ponies, as well as highlighting the important role the ponies play in conservation grazing.

Representatives of families and herd owners involved in the founding of the society or running herds of long standing were among those at the event, at which two information boards for the hotel were also handed over.

Amongst them were the Westcott family, which was represented by three generations to demonstrate the commitment shown by R S Westcott, one of the first committee members.

Society secretary Sue McGeever said: "The society welcomes all who have an interest in these remarkable ponies and you don't have to be an owner to be involved.

"We have members and events throughout the British Isles and several 'daughter' societies abroad.

"Little could David Tapp of Highercombe, Dulverton, have dreamt when he convened that first meeting in 1921 that over nine decades later the early work of the founders would be recognised as an outstanding example of conserving part of Exmoor's heritage and lead to a thriving society of over 700 members."

More information on the society is available at http://www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk">www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk.

Photos: Annie Dent Photography