Dartmoor Pony Society
The Dartmoor Pony Society is the guardian of this rare breed and represents the Registered Dartmoor Pony worldwide. We welcome all new members.
The Dartmoor Pony originated on Dartmoor, in the county of Devon, in the South West of England. Ponies have been recorded living on the wild and inhospitable moors of Dartmoor since the Middle Ages. In consequence, the ponies have evolved to survive well in tough conditions and in anything other than exposed Moorland situations, should be managed as very good doers.
Dartmoor ponies are renowned for their exceptional temperament, which makes them particularly suitable as children’s ponies. An amazingly high proportion of registered Dartmoors achieve qualification and success at Horse of the Year Show, mainly in lead rein and first ridden classes but also in open ridden and WHP classes.
The primary role of the Dartmoor Pony Society is to maintain the Stud Book which holds records tracing back the pedigrees of the registered Dartmoor Pony for over 100 years. The original records were held in the Polo Pony Stud Book, and then in the stud books of the National Pony Society.
Finally forty five years ago the Dartmoor Pony Society took over printing the Stud Book. Each year the DPS issues a hard copy of all the foal registrations, transfers and re-entries into the Stallion and gelding sections. A very interesting read for all breeders of Dartmoor Ponies.
The Dartmoor Pony Society is saddened to share the news of the passing of Mr David Sykes, a former DPS judge and longstanding member