Exmoor Pony Herd Gathering Raises Money for Air Ambulance

 

Exmoor Pony Herd Gathering Raises Money for Air Ambulance

A centuries-old English tradition meets modern community fundraising

On England’s wild Exmoor, a herd of about 100 ponies is being rounded up this Sunday for its annual health check, and visitors can watch the whole thing for free.

The Tippbarlake Exmoor Pony Herd will be gathered at Brendon Barton, a farm in the southwest of England. The ponies will be driven across Brendon Common toward Lancombe Crossing before being brought in to the farm.

A Tradition Spanning Generations

Kristina Auckland, who looks after the herd with her family, says the yearly gathering has been going on for generations. The ponies live freely on Brendon Common for most of the year, and the family keeps hands-off management to a minimum.

“We try and manage them from afar all year round,” Auckland said. “Once a year we will gather them in to have a bit of a closer inspection and make sure that they’re all healthy and their welfare needs are met.”

How to Watch

Spectators are welcome at Scobhill Gate starting at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on Sunday. There’s no charge, though visitors will be asked to make a donation to the Devon Air Ambulance, this year’s chosen charity.

Crowds have grown steadily over the past few years, which Auckland credits to social media. She added that many local families also turn out every year.

Why the Air Ambulance?

Auckland said the family chose the charity because it is “absolutely crucial” for people living in rural areas, where emergency help can be a long way off.

“We’re completely reliant on the air ambulance being able to help us, whether you’re a farmer, a local resident, or someone visiting,” she said. “Whatever anyone’s able to donate, as little or as much as possible is amazing.”

Ponies With a Job to Do

Beyond the charity drive, Auckland hopes the event will raise awareness of the Exmoor pony breed and the work these animals do. The ponies graze on certain grasses and help manage the habitat of the common, and similar grazing is used in conservation projects around the country.

“They are born to eat, and they’re really good at eating certain types of grasses and managing habitats,” she said.

She also stressed the breed’s cultural importance. “They’re a really important part of Exmoor’s heritage, and we’re so lucky to have many herds still living freely on the moor,” Auckland said. “We want people to understand their value and the role they play, and we want them to be here for generations to come.”