2015 – What’s On

The 2015 Exmoor Pony Festival,  Sat 8 – Sun 16 August.

Enjoy a range of activities including safaris, country shows, rides and more. Learn about buying a pony and discover the free-living Exmoor Pony herds on the moors of Exmoor National Park.

What’s happening this year ….

HERE IS THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS (still a few more to be added!)

Unless otherwise stated all events are free of charge and do not require advanced booking.

Meet the Herds
Saturday 8th August 11am—3pm
Cutcombe Market & Moorland Hall,
Wheddon Cross TA24 7DT
Meet representatives from many of the free-living moorland herds of Exmoor, both ponies and people look forward to welcoming you

Meet the Anchor Herd
Sunday 9th August 10am start
Meet at the Green Room, Exmoor Pony Centre TA22 9QE
Take a guided walk with the Wallace family, to see mares, foals and stallions followed by refreshments and a walk across Varle Hill to see the free-living Anchor herd.

Withypool Ride
Sunday, 9th August 3pm start
Meet on the moor above Landacre Bridge and ride the historic route that Herd 23 take each autumn when they gather the herd in from Withypool by kind permission of Rex Milton.   Book your place by calling 01884 839930.

Conservation Grazing Day
Monday 10th August 11am start
Moorland Hall, Wheddon Cross TA24 7DU
Learn about the role of the Exmoor pony as a conservation grazer and visit an environmental grazing site – especially useful for those thinking of using Exmoor ponies in this role. Please book in advance due to limited transportation places – contact Sue McGeever on 01884 839930 (£20 deposit required  – refundable on the day).

Dr Sue Baker’s Talk ‘The Exmoor Pony From Doomsday to DNA’
Monday 10th August 7pm
The Green Room, Exmoor Pony Centre TA22 9QE
A ‘must do’ activity for those interested in the history of the breed, talk by Dr Sue Baker author of ‘Survival of the Fittest’

Exmoor Wildlife Safari escorted by Tricia Gibson in association with Barle Valley Safaris
Monday 10th August – Afternoon
Dunkery/Porlock
A 4×4 safari taking in the beautiful scenery and hopefully ponies and red deer.
Booking essential – please contact Sue McGeever on 01884 839930

Guided walk on Dunkery with Tricia Gibson
Tuesday 11th August 10am
Dunkery Beacon
Bring along your camera , sturdy boots and food/drink for a 10-15 mile walk.

The Exmoor Pony Society Annual Breed Show
Wednesday 12 August starts 9am
Exford Show Ground
An opportunity to see Exmoor ponies in the show ring from mares with foals to stallions, youngstock and ridden ponies.

Activity Day at the Exmoor Pony Centre
Thursday 13th August 10am-3pm
Exmoor Pony Centre TA22 9QE
Pony rides, grooming, refreshments, crafts, fun and games

Katy’s Pony Challenge – Book Launch
Thursday 13th August 7pm
Lynmouth Pavilion, EX35 6EQ
Victoria Eveleigh – Exmoor pony owner/breeder and writer will be launching her new book.

Exmoor Wildlife Safari escorted by Gill Langdon in association with Barle Valley Safaris
Friday 14th August—Afternoon
Dunkery
A 4×4 safari taking in the beautiful scenery and hopefully ponies and red deer.
Booking essential – please contact Sue McGeever on 01884 839930

Pony Walk on North Hill with ENPA Pony Ranger and a pony
Friday 14th August 11am
Car park on North Hill
Join us for a gentle walk on North Hill, to see the pony herd and learn about the National Park’s management of the ponies escorted by a tame pony from The Moorland Mousie Trust.

Social Evening—Quiz/BBQ and Exmoor Pony Czech Documentary Film Screening
Friday 14th August 7pm
The Green Room, Exmoor Pony Centre TA22 9QE
Come along and have a fun evening with Exmoor pony owners/breeders/enthusiasts , everyone welcome.

Brompton Regis Show
Saturday 15th August starts 9am
Cricket Field, Brompton Regis Grid Ref: 943310
A fun filled country show with Exmoor pony classes and lots more.

Exmoor Pony Extravaganza Exhibition
Sunday 16th August 10am—4pm
The Green Room, Exmoor Pony Centre TA22 9QE
A summary exhibition of the Festival events, to celebrate the Exmoor pony breed.

Stud visits – a good number of moorland herds owners have indicated that they are happy to escort people to see their ponies both in-ground and on the moor during the festival week.  Please contact Sue McGeever on 01884 839930 for more details or visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/916956578361802/

Wildlife Safaris – will be running throughout the week in association with Barle Valley Safaris.  Please contact Sue McGeever on 01884 839930 for more details or visit our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/events/119549738382699/

Please keep watching our What’s On page here at http://exmoorponyfestival.org.uk and save it to your ‘favourites’!