A VERY special edition of the Dartmoor Pony Society (DPS) ‘Dartmoor Diary’ has just been published, celebrating 50 years since the first black and white issue in 1971.
Society member Clare Stanton said: ‘It is a celebration of Dartmoor ponies worldwide as well as a source of information for breeders and enthusiasts alike.
‘Although it’s called a diary it is in fact a compendium of stories, information and enchanting photos of the society and the animals it cares for.’
The DPS is the ‘Mother’ Society for the traditional Dartmoor pony worldwide. The Diary includes stallions at stud, updates from Members and ‘Daughter’ Societies from as far afield as Orkney in the UK to Europe and America, as well as highlighting characters of the Dartmoor pony world, past and present, four-legged and two!
The diary contains articles on pony registration and showing rules and a particular focus on rare bloodlines – including an appeal to all those interested in the breed to come forward if they know the whereabouts of any of the ponies that have these bloodlines – or their progeny.
A spokesman for the society said: ‘Despite the impact of Covid-19 on the equine world, there is strong demand for quality Dartmoor ponies for family homes and for showing.
‘However, this well known British Native Pony breed remains on the ‘Endangered List’ with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust – alongside Devon’s other Native Pony, the Exmoor.’
The full-colour, beautifully illustrated Dartmoor Diary 2021 will be a coffee table centrepiece and a source of reference for years to come.
It is included free with Dartmoor Pony Society Membership (see website www.dartmoorponysociety.com) or can be purchased separately at just £12 including P&P.To order a copy contact Viv Brown, DPS secretary, via email at [email protected] or call 01269 844303