Native breeds
Fly The Last Flute and Sandra Burton, winners of the Mountain & Moorland Ridden Championship at Olympia 2013
The native, or Mountain and Moorland (M&M) breeds of Great Britain form a group of several breeds of ponies. Many of these are derived from semi-feral ponies kept on moorland or heathland, and some of them still live in this way.
M&M’s are one of the most popular mounts of choice today and the respective classes are usually the biggest on the show field.
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Finding the ideal native: which breed is perfect for you? *H&H Plus*
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H&H’s guide to showing a small breed mountain and moorland pony
The following judges’ tips will ensure you make an instant impact and help you avoid unnecessary mistakes
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At home with native pony breeders Julian Walters and David Hodge
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‘I knew he was going to be a star’: Farewell to one of the most prolific Connemaras of all time
Bunowen Castle Ri was supreme at Olympia in both 2005 and 2007 and was also champion at HOYS.
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New in-hand championships to promote British breeds
Will you be looking to enter?
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Who’s on washing duties? Previous Olympia champion revels in mud during his pre-season holiday
“His incredible temperament makes it easy for him to switch from covering stallion to show pony...”
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Dartmoors from Australia, New Zealand and US compete with British-bred ponies in online ‘extravaganza’
“The camaraderie among everyone involved really warmed us over this bleak time and certainly gave us a sense of achievement that we had brought Dartmoor pony enthusiasts together when we couldn't be together physically”
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‘It just made me more hungry for the win’ — show producer Katy Marriott-Payne on setting two native breed records
“I always say that it takes three goes at Olympia before you even have any idea of how to do it...”
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6 things owners of native ponies can relate to during winter
Native owners keep on top of those wild locks (it can become an obsession)...
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‘All I wanted to do was go to shows every day for the rest of my life’ — Show producer Sam Roberts on her journey to the top
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6 reasons why Connemara ponies are simply the best
Why do you think Connemaras are a step above the rest?
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Tributes paid to legendary Dales stallion put down after field accident
Bruce and his sire Village Defender are the only two Dales ponies to have ever qualifed for the Cuddy in-hand final...
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#TBT: The M&Ms that made it to Olympia — 23 winning natives from the 2019 BSPS Heritage championship show...
The rain poured but quality definitely shone through...
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Britain’s ‘critical’ native breeds fighting for survival *H&H Plus*
Five of Britain’s native breeds are on the critical list, fighting for their survival. Octavia Pollock explains why it’s worth considering these often overlooked horses and ponies
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New project aims to help save historical British breed *H&H Plus*
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27 stunning show ring moments H&H captured during the 2019 show season
Throwing it back to sunnier times...
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Celebrating the 12 natives who took best of breed titles at Olympia
These 12 stunning native ponies landed the best of breed accolades in the Lemieux BSPS supreme mountain and moorland ridden final, but which is your favourite?
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12 native ponies we wanted to take home this show season
Which hairy head would you like to see looking over your stable door?
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Potential health problems for native breeds *H&H VIP*
Britain’s native ponies have evolved to thrive in harsh conditions, but they suffer their share of health problems. Andrea Oakes discovers what to look out for.
