Our Ponies
Below are all the equine residents at West Steart Farm, starting with the Riding Holiday ponies. But firstly we introduce the founder breed, the Dales Pony.
We have a genuine love for active working breeds. Our first love is the Dales pony, native to England, who due to its history as a good working pony can cover rough ground at a good pace whilst keeping the rider very comfortable with their smooth paces. We believe it is unrivalled as a thrifty, surefooted riding companion and that to ride out for leisure, you wont find a better breed! We also have a love of breeds that have contributed to the wonderful Dales way back in it’s ancestry. Although a “pony” breed, Dales ponies can carry most adult men quite comfortably. The poem below written almost a century ago gives a clue as to why we are so fond of them.
Bring me my black Dales pony, Put a saddle on his back, There’s more value for your money, Than in Clydesdale, Barb or Hack. Talk of Welsh or Exmoor pony Shetland, Iceland or what other, Put me on my doughty crony For to me he’s like a brother. Not so big as ponderous Shire, Not so soft as Suffolk horse, In him what I most admire Is his mettle, but of course. Look upon his noble forehead, Note his flashing, rolling eye, Mark his flanks so strongly knitted Scan his flattened shins forebye. See the bony feathered fetlock And his stout and ample chest, When I laud, it should not shock If I say he is the best. Put him into any harness, Yoke him to the cart or trap, Mount him, ride to any farness, You’ll be proud of this fine chap. He has blood and he has wildfire, Yet as quiet as any lamb. A spanish entire was his sire And mare of Galloway was his dam. What d’ye expect of such a creature What can but blood avail, There is every solid feature In this breed of old Weardale. J.J Graham 1865 – 1941DALES PONIES
BLACK (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | MOOREND JOCK | |
| DAM | DORA V | |
| BORN | MAY 1991 | |
| HEIGHT | 14hh | |
| PURCHASED | 1994 | |
| DESCRIPTION | BLACK WITH WHITE SOCK TO LEFT HIND LEG |
Black is probably the most talented Dales Pony. He excels at dressage, jumping, driving and loves to lead his trekking troop out onto the trails. He takes his job far too seriously, sometimes forgetting he can take a drink (non-alcoholic, of course) on duty and will often come back from a day trek quite parched. He has extremely smooth paces, which makes most riders feel very comfortable and safe with him.
He was the first Dales pony we bought, and it is his fault that we fell in love with Dales ponies. He is Zana’s “Number 1″ and it seems like that title will be safe for years to come as he featured quite strongly in all her wedding arrangements and pulled the happy couple away from the ceremony to the pub. He also just picks up wherever he broke off from the last schooling session, so regardless of how many riders he’s carried in between, Zana can just leap up and ride him through his dressage paces feeling them even better than before, which at his age is a real compliment to how he naturally carries himself day to day. In 2006 he was awarded with the Open Dales Performance Champion Trophy at the Dales performance show in the Uk. We know he’s special, he knows he’s special, let’s see what you think?
GRACE (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | LUMMAS PRINCE II | |
| DAM | WHITWORTH SUPREME STAR | |
| BORN | JUNE 1993 | |
| HEIGHT | 14.3hh | |
| PURCHASED | 1997 | |
| DESCRIPTION | BAY WITH SMALL STAR ON FOREHEAD, BROWN MUZZLE. |
Grace is another great favourite especially amongst Dales fans. She is a lovely example of the breed in looks and characteristics, from her flowing mane, tail and feather to her willing nature. She is strong and enduring and loves jumping and crossing rough country at speed. She has a sweet nature and is a sensitive mare but certainly knows her own mind also. But she is always ready to give things a go and give riders a “safe” feel, especially when over rough terrain, as this girl’s got really sure feet!
Grace surprised us with foal in our first year with her – Oscar grew up to be a great trekker like his mum and did her proud before his unfortunate death from Grass Sickness in 2007.
In May 2006, Grace had yet another foal – planned right down to date and parentage this time! Grace allowed us to give her a whirlwind romance with a wonderful friendly and nicely put together grey Dales. We arranged all the details in between riding holidays and trail rides to try to create as little disruption to her adoring public as possible. Grace enjoyed her maternity leave from duties to have ‘Storm Cat’ and to rear the foal up to weaning, however she seemed ready again to join in with the working herd. She and Mr B love each other more strongly than I’ve ever witnessed in the Dales herd and will nearly always be relaxing and grazing together. They travelled side by side for the long journey down to Devon and spend most of their time like that. They will separate whilst riding out, but don’t be surprised if you suddenly find yourself back next to Mr B if riding out together and an opportunistic gap appears!
MONTY (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | WATERSIDE FLASH | |
| DAM | DORA V | |
| BORN | 2000 (HOMEBRED) | |
| HEIGHT | 14hh | |
| DESCRIPTION | BLACK WITH WHITE SOCKS TO BOTH HIND LEGS. |
Monty was selectively bred from Dora, Black’s mum who was bought specifically for the opportunity to breed more like him. We chose Waterside Flash as the sire as we liked the way he was put together and he lived very locally so was a logical choice.
Monty came into the world with ease and has found life to continue in much the same way. He is calm, friendly and gentle. We have really enjoyed training him for work and he has been “the easiest pony in the world to ride” due to his wonderful nature. He only needs the slightest of suggestions to move forward, stop and turn. He is very smooth gaited and beginner riders as well as advanced riders love this little chap
He is a great trail riding pony as well as doing the shorter rides and lessons. He has his fan base, and he himself, although loving a bit of human time and fuss, loves spending time loafing about with Prince or Trooper.
PRINCE (Dales Ponies)
| SIRE | LUMMAS PRINCE II | |
| DAM | BOLAM LADY MAY | |
| BORN | 28th APRIL 1996 | |
| DESCRIPTION | BLACK WITH WHITE SOCKS TO BOTH HIND LEGS. |
Prince belongs to Peter, Zana’s brother. He is the biggest of all the Dales ponies, in fact he’s actually over sized for a Dales, but that just adds to our advantage, a pony who can carry taller riders comfortably. He is very well schooled and is a smooth, comfortable ride, with a slight injection of power when called for. He’s quite cheeky and a bit of a wimp too so it’s a case of rider looking after pony in some cases! If you like a comfortable gait, with the ability canter in all gears and speeds, both delightfully slow as well as quickly, then Prince is your man.
BLOSSOM (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | WHARFEDALE PRINCE REGENT | |
| DAM | ABBEYMEAD AMY ROSE | |
| BORN | 16 MAY 1996 | |
| HEIGHT | 14.2hh | |
| PURCHASED | 1996 | |
| DESCRIPTION | BAY ROAN WITH SMALL STAR, WHITE SOCKS TO BOTH HIND LEGS. |
Blossom has been part of the family since 6 months of age when Angela (Zana’s Mum) bought her. She is a friendly pony, with a very laid back attitude which makes her suitable for all classes of rider. She is calm enough for the beginner riders to have lessons on or a gentle trek, yet is willing when the more experienced rider wants a good gallop across the moor.
Blossom is a bay roan which is a rare colour for a Dales pony. The roans and grey Dales were favoured by the monks in past times, and though greys are becoming more popular, the roans are still in danger of dying out, so we are very lucky to have an example of a bay roan Dales here at West Steart Farm. Blossom enjoys working on the holidays but most enjoys it when her “Mum” Angela is visiting the farm and takes her out for special one on one time, pottering about the quiet lanes and tracks taking in the sights and sounds of the scenery and local nature. She has the most wonderful disposition and would stand to be cuddled all day long. She enjoys exploring new routes and doing the trail rides.
TROOPER (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | COLLIERY CHANCE | |
| DAM | HILLCREST TREASURE | |
| BORN | 22 APRIL 2004 | |
| HEIGHT | 14hh | |
| PURCHASED | JULY 2006 | |
| DESCRIPTION | BAY WITH STAR, VERY SMALL WHITE MARKING TO LEFT FORELEG AND SOCKS ON BOTH HIND LEGS |
Trooper is a lovely bright bay Dales. He was a gangly very underweight pony, who needed to grow into his frame when he first came to us. He had spent two years at his breeders living out in the fields and had had little contact with humans, so was quite wary at first, preferring to keep some distance between himself and the two legged beings who kept checking on the rest of his new herd. Eventually his curiosity got the better of him and he decided humans weren’t so bad after all. He is now a friendly chap who loves to be stroked and fussed. He likes to blow on your face, and when it comes to licking out his bucket he has the longest tongue in the world. He has taken to riding work very well and has good forward paces which cover the ground without rushing, making him a very comfortable ride. He has already proven quite a favourite on the gallops and loves water of any description so river crossings and beach splashings are all good news for any riders requesting this little chap.
DONNA (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | BROSCOE JOSEPH | |
| DAM | ROSEBARR KIZZIE | |
| BORN | 1 MAY 1999 | |
| HEIGHT | 14.2hh | |
| PURCHASED | FEBRUARY 2006 | |
| DESCRIPTION | DAPPLE GREY WITH SMALL WHITE STAR TO CENTRE OF FOREHEAD |
We bought Donna in February 2005. Her previous owner had a young family and struggled to find time to give Donna the exercise and attention she needed. She is a lovely dappled grey Dales with a very showy leg action, which makes her a wonderful ride for very experienced riders. She has a lovely kind nature and because of this we decided to put her in foal. Dales ponies are a rare breed and numbers are dwindling so we want to help preserve and encourage the continuance of this wonderful breed. We took Donna to visit Dartdale Shamrock, another grey stallion and she is then produced Spirit for us in May 2007. Donna’s pedigree goes back to ‘Grey Bobbie’, a very influential grey stallion who has made a big contribution to Dales pony breeding, so we are keeping our fingers crossed that Donna’s foal will continue this special line and be a mum herself one day. Loving the result of Donna being a natural mum, we put her back in foal in 2008, this time, although same stud farm, a different stallion called Dartdale Jimmy Lad (Oscar’s sire). The result was Malhamdale Apocalypto, or Apollo to his friends. Apollo is the last of the Malhamdales, and when he was born we knew we were going to make the move to Devon and leave everything, apart from the ponies we had built our lives on. Apocalypto means “new beginnings.” We thought this was an apt name for the last Malhamdale, especially as we hope Apollo will sire our new homebred line of Devon ponies.
Donna is back in work after her break off being Mum. She is a very forward thinking and responsive ride and thus reserved for very experienced riders due to her powerful feel. She is extremely well behaved, just has a real “buzzy” action, which if contained and relaxed feels quite special.
STORM CAT (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | DARTDALE SHAMROCK | |
| DAM | WHITWORTH LADY GRACE | |
| BORNHEIGHT | 22nd MAY 200614.2HH | |
| DESCRIPTION | BROWN WITH A SMALL STAR CENTRAL FOREHEAD |
SC, as she is known to all her pals, already thinks she’s running things! She’s a very confident mare who is determined not to miss out on anything or be pushed out just because she’s a youngster. She is the spitting image of her mum and looks like being another favourite as well as a lovely example of this breed. At just 2 1/2 weeks of age SC became a film star by being the main attraction on a Uk television programme called ‘Countryfile Summer Diaries’ based on Dales ponies and although we’d like to think that she’s a modest pony, I’m afraid that it really has gone to her head. She knows her public adore her and we only hope that this will make her a great trekking pony and not a celebrity nightmare who refuses to get out of bed! She has a really comfortable gait, just like riding an armchair!
SPIRIT (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | DARTDALE SHAMROCK | |
| DAM | ROSEBARR DONNA | |
| BORN | 29 MAY 2007 | |
| DESCRIPTION | GREY WITH A LARGE STAR CENTRAL FOREHEAD |
Spirit is a fantastic filly and we are thrilled to bits with her. She is very friendly and fantastic to handle. She does have a bit of spirit when required but mainly she is named in honour and memory of those wonderful ponies, Oscar, Jim, JF and of course Elke Spirit, who we sadly had to say goodbye to in the year of her birth.
She is best friends with SC and boyfriend Oscar II. She is very affectionate, often separating from the herd for some private human time, demanding fuss and attention. She is quite brave, naturally very steady and makes for a compact little ride. This year will be her first with customers, but I think she’ll become quite a favourite.
OSCAR (Dales Pony)
| SIRE | DARTDALE JIMMY LAD | |
| DAM | SOWERMIRE MAISIE | |
| BORN | 10th July 2007 | |
| DESCRIPTION | DARK GREY WITH NO WHITE MARKINGS |
Oscar had a slow start due to having a hernia as a foal. So from a young age he had to endure some operations which meant he was a little underweight when he first arrived with us. He was weaned from his mum and then journeyed from the farm where he was bred near Kirkby Lonsdale to our old place in Malham, North Yorkshire. Here, he and Spirit palled up in the “Crèche” and then at age 2 made the long journey with the others down to West Steart Farm in Devon. Oscar is a very sensible chap for his age and has a wise head on his shoulders. We have a feeling that he’s going to be a great trail horse, knowing instinctively when to conserve energy and when to have fun. He is very cautious over the terrain, so will give riders a good safe feel. Oscar is quite a natural trekker and has taken his training really well, this is his first year with customers too.
APOLLO (Dales pony)
SIRE DARTDALE JIMMY LAD
DAM ROSEBARR DONNA
BORN 10th JUNE 2009
DESCRIPTION ALL BLACK COLT
Apollo’s full registered name is Malhamdale Apocalypto and he is the last of the Malhamdales. The plan is to keep him entire and for him to father all the future homebred Dales ponies here at West Steart Farm. This will only happen if he can still have a full and enjoyable life, living out with a herd and riding out with our holiday guests. If for whatever reason he cannot fulfil this role along with being a stallion, then he’ll be gelded and live with the full herd once again. Our priority is for a happy and content pony first and foremost. He is very attractive and a lovely mover. A head turner, whilst still being a cute pony. He starts his training this year.
FRIESIAN HORSES
We have just one Friesian at present. As the Dales ponies are often dubbed by foreigners as “mini Friesians” we thought we might just allow the odd one into the herd!
ULBE B
| SIRE | TSJERK | |
| DAM | BLACK BEAUTY B | |
| BORN | 4th JUNE 1998 | |
| DESCRIPTION | COMPLETELY BLACK |
Ulbe has arrived onto the farm as the most romantic gesture imaginable! Peter (Zana’s brother and owner of Prince) has bought Ulbe as a Christmas present for Heather, his wife. Heather no longer has to beg/borrow/steal a Dales pony when she comes down to visit Prince with Peter as she now has a handsome horse of her own! Friesians are renowned the world over for their romantic beauty (just like long legged Dales ponies really, so I don’t know why they don’t have the same renown!!) Ulbe is allowed to be ridden by our visitors just like Prince is whilst Heather is away at work, but it will be strictly “hands off” when she comes to visit. Ulbe has settled straight in and loves exploring the Exe valley and wowwing everyone with his beautiful trot! Be warned though, he doesn’t have the “pack pony” influence to his breeding that the Dales have despite their similar appearence, so as a rider you receive a lot more movement to absorb with your seat!
ANDALUSIAN (PRE)
Andalusians, or Pre (Pura Raza Espanola) are the magical dancing spanish horses that are adored universally. They make wonderful riding horses for both dressage and leisure riding. Folklore in Northern England hints that the Spanish horse may well have contributed to the origins of the Dales pony and so we just had to get one!
GROVEWOOD NARANJA
| SIRE | NARANJAL (BAPSH National Champion sire 2009) | |
| DAM | BRABUCONA | |
| BORN | 11TH JUNE 2010 | |
| DESCRIPTION | GREY WITH A BROKEN STRIPE TO HER HEAD AND ONE WHITE SOCK |
Naranja is an adorable weanling who has just arrived (Dec 2010) to West Steart Farm to be companion to Incantare our Tb filly and ultimately to be Zana’s dressage and general “ponce about on” riding horse. It seems a bit like full circle; at age 18 Zana’s love for dressage was formed after seeing and riding an Andalusian stallion named Adonis Rex. She fell in love with the movement and long flowing manes and tails of this breed and always wanted to own one. Quality Andalusians are expensive and so the dream had to be put on hold. However, the Dales pony shone through as a contending breed to buy and so began the story of Dales ponies and Zana. Hopefully Naranja will prove just as perfect a mount and companion as Black did when he was bought as a Spanish horse substitute. As so great was “Mr B” in his role that the original love was almost forgotten, but not quite!
THOROUGHBREDS & THOROUGHBRED CROSS
Although high maintenance and not so suitable for our Riding Holidays, you can’t win the Derby with any of the above breeds! To fuel Jim’s racing hobby, the following equine residents all have a role to play.
MYTHICAL CHARM (Thoroughbred Broodmare)
| SIRE | CHARNWOOD FOREST | |
| DAM | TRIPLE TRICKS | |
| BORN | 24th March 1999 | |
| PURCHASED | JAN 2009 | |
| DESCRIPTION | THOROUGHBRED, DARK BAY WITH A SMALL STAR |
Mythical Charm is our only Thoroughbred Broodmare and cost us a massive £1 to purchase! ‘Mythical’ ran in 103 races, winning 9 of them and being placed another 16 times.Her first foal (Incantare – see below) was born on June 7th and her Sire is the Champion European Miler of 2005 (Timeform Rating 130), Proclamation. Mythical is a very sweet natured horse who is a pleasure to own! She has one sister in the USA who won 5 ‘Stakes Races’, so her soundness, her form, her breeding and her relatives make her a good selection as a broodmare.
Mythical had the year off from breeding last year but is due end of April this year (2012).
INCANTARE (Thoroughbred Racehorse)
| SIRE | PROCLAMATION | |
| DAM | MYTHICAL CHARM | |
| BORN | 7TH JUNE 2010 | |
| PURCHASED | BRED | |
| DESCRIPTION | THOROUGHBRED, GREY FILLY WITH WHITE BLAZE AND THREE WHITE SOCKS |
This beautiful Grey filly was born here at West Steart Farm at half past midnight on Monday June 7th, 2010. She is by the Champion European Miler of 2005, rated 130 by Timeform, Proclamation, out of our own beautiful mare and 9 time winner Mythical Charm.
We plan to keep the filly, train her ourselves and run her on the flat as a 3year old! We will keep the website up to date with her progress.
BEACH RHYTHM (Thoroughbred Racehorse)
| SIRE | FOOTSTEPSINTHESAND | |
| DAM | QUEENS MUSIC | |
| BORN | 24th MARCH 2007 | |
| PURCHASED | OCT 2009 | |
| DESCRIPTION | THOROUGHBRED, CHESTNUT WITH WHITE STAR AND ONE WHITE SOCK |
‘Beachams’ is the least expensive of the 2 Thoroughbreds we own! Whilst Mythical Charm cost £1, we were actually paid (in a roundabout sort of way) to take this fella home! He went through the Tattersalls Newmarket Auction ring without a bid and we have given him a home. Beachams has slightly upright pasterns and is slightly small for his age, but is such a nice person he is a pleasure to have around!
Though no one wanted Beachams in October 2009 when we took him home, he was very much in demand a year earlier when realising $100,000 at the Keenland Yearling Sales in America! We have not given up hope yet that he will one day do the job he was bred to do. He has had plenty of time to mature and has just started his racing campaign. His first race was at Taunton and further races are planned. Latest news page will keep you updated on his progress.
GLADSTONE (Thoroughbred Racehorse)
| SIRE | DANSILI | |
| DAM | ROCKERLONG | |
| BORN | 2ND MARCH 2008 | |
| PURCHASED | DEC 2010 | |
| DESCRIPTION | THOROUGHBRED, BAY WITH STAR & SNIP & 3 WHITE SOCKS |
After a year of searching for a young, well bred but cheap potential racehorse, Gladstone finally joined us here at West Steart Farm on New Years Eve 2010! Originally entered for the Ascot sales in Dec, the snow that covered most of Britain, forcing the cancellation of the sale twice, actually helped Jim buy Gladstone. Not to be put off, as Gladstone was the only horse entered in the sale that he was interested in, once the sale was cancelled, Jim risked life and limb through blizzards to drive to Newmarket and back to check Gladstone out and immediately loved him!
Although a 3 yr old, who has run once on the flat, Gladstone is extremely well bred being a Dansili (one of the best and most expensive European stallions) and out of a top class mare. He is still quite mentally immature, which is probably why his previous owners were willing to let him go, however we are lucky to have the space on the farm to let him grow and enjoy just being a horse again in our paddocks before beginning a training regime to get him to race once again and hopefully with new vigour! With a bit of luck and West Steart magic we’ll hopefully see him run this year.
MEGAN (TB X)
BREEDING UNKNOWN
YEAR OF BIRTH 1987
DESCRIPTION BRIGHT BAY WITH 3 WHITE SOCKS AND A STRIPE.
Megan is the granny of the herd. She was a very nice all round riding mare in her day being very accomplished in both dressage and jumping and until very recently was still going strong out on the trails. She is absolutely crucial in the pursuit of Jim’s racing dreams because she has befriended Mythical Charm who wont be parted from her. She is a wondeful friend and tolerate’s Mythical’s offspring very well, teaching her foals manners without being mean!