HUNDREDS of people enjoyed the first-ever Exmoor Pony Festival held at venues in Exmoor National Park last week.

The festival has been established by local breeders and volunteers supported by Heritage Lottery Funding from the Heart of Exmoor scheme.

Jason Ball, Heart of Exmoor scheme manager, said: "With safaris, country rides and world class horse agility, everyone had a great time, enchanted by Exmoor Ponies in the moorland landscape.

"People took beautiful photographs and they also took home a deeper appreciation of Exmoor Ponies.

"Events showed the Exmoor Pony to be very intelligent, a popular breed for riding and responsive to trust-based horsemanship.

"On the moorland safaris, local farmers explained how these ponies are perfectly suited to life roaming freely on the moors and said how essential it is to conserve these original herds."

More than 100 visitors spent an afternoon with a herd of Exmoor Ponies owned by Victoria and Chris Eveleigh -(author and illustrator of the Katy's Ponies Trilogy - at their traditional moorland farm near Lynton.

The family fun day included meeting mares and foals, pony stories, games, farm tours and a presentation by Exmoor Pony expert Dr Sue Baker.

Over 60 people went to watch Bear, a horse agility world champion Exmoor Pony stallion, give a demonstration of his skills with owner Dawn Westcott at Holt Ball Farm near Minehead.

Far from being a circus act, the workshop was all about understanding equine instincts and working with them to develop a co-operative partnership with a pony, and gold medal winning Bear - whose full name is 'Hawkwell Versuvius' - was a big hit with the crowd.

Dawn said: "The positive energy from such an interested and enthusiastic crowd was really picked up on by Bear, who was genuinely interested in them and went along the front row, stretching out to greet people, one by one, until he reached the end.

"He's becoming a true partner to work with in situations like this and understands that he's got an important job to do in showing people how we train for Horse Agility."

There were three Exmoor Pony Photo Safaris with Experience Exmoor, run by Neil and Christel Osmond.

Passengers toured the dramatic moors and coast, photographed ponies at close quarters, and learned about the ponies from Sarah Eveleigh, Gill Langdon and Exmoor National Park ranger Richard Eales.

A ride with the Exmoor Pony Society rounded off the festival – a convoy of riders crossed Dunkery Beacon, the highest point on Exmoor, with views to the sea.

The riders and their mounts set off from Webber's Post, including one young equestrian who had never ridden on open moorland before.

The ponies - including a trio of 'honorary' Exmoors - tackled the long climb to the top of the beacon with ease and were treated to breathtaking views across the moor.

The route back took the group through fields and woods, with views of free-living ponies and red deer along the way.

When they returned to Webber's Post the riders were presented with special Exmoor Pony Society rosettes by society president Jackie Ablett.

The riders, who included Jo Gingell, Anne Plume, Joanna Webber, Ann Bassett, Charlotte Colmer, Rachel Courtney, Ali Farrell, Kittiana French, Kestra French, Mary Hannah, Sam Harris, Claire Phillips, Sue Scott and Judith Shelley, are pictured at Dunkery Beacon.

Sue McGeever said: "The Exmoor Pony Society was delighted to be involved in organising and promoting the festival and looks forward to next year's event. 

"EPS members from around the country expressed a great deal of interest in coming to Exmoor with their ponies for next year's ride although my thoughts turn now to autumn gatherings and inspections."

And Mr Ball said: "I am very grateful to all who made this festival come to life, particularly the farmers and volunteers.

"The Exmoor Pony Festival gave people a chance to see the beautiful ponies in their native landscape and meet some of the people who look after the moorland herds."