Dartmoor Pony Society
The Dartmoor Pony Society is the guardian of the rare breed and represents the Registered Dartmoor Pony worldwide. We welcome all new members.
DPS International Convention 8th to 14th August 2025
For more information see the News post on the News page or at the bottom of this page.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Our new Passport Administrator is Mrs Christine Lovat. For her contact details and those of our Secretary, Chris Grant, please refer to Contacts page. Please also note their working days on that page as both are part time.
Making payments to the Society
The Society would appreciate it if you could make all payments to the Dartmoor Pony Society directly into the Society’s bank. The details are as follows:
Lloyds Bank Account: Dartmoor Pony Society, Sort code 30-96-23, Account No. 00807482
If you cannot make payments directly, please send payments (made payable to ‘Dartmoor Pony Society’) to: Paula Benford, DPS Treasurer, 4 Norwich Road, Exwick, Exeter, EX4 2DN.
Please ensure that you include a reference so we can allocate your payment correctly. It would also be helpful if you could e-mail the Office treasurer@dartmoorponysociety.com) confirming you have made a payment into the bank.
Transfers and Loans
If you are transferring ownership of a Dartmoor pony, exporting a Dartmoor pony or when wishing to lease or loan a Dartmoor pony click on Transfers and Loans for the necessary information about fees and procedure.
Online Stud Book
To access Grassroots, please follow this link to the Online Stud Book
All fully paid up members can access Grassroots. If you have forgotten your log in details please contact the Office by emailing dpssec@dartmoorponysociety.com.
General Information
Whether you are new to the ownership of a Dartmoor or not, there may be times when you are not sure what to do on a wide variety of topics, e.g., management, cost effective feeding or correct attire for pony and/or rider/handler when showing. There is a wealth of information within the Society that might help you. Please contact our secretary, Chris Grant (dpssec@dartmoorponysociety.com), and if he cannot help, he will forward you onto a Council member he knows will be able to help you.
Open to all Registered Dartmoor Ponies owned by Members.
Organized by the Society and kindly sponsored by Top-Spec , this award is for ridden and driven ponies. It does not matter at what level you compete.
Performance cards are available free of charge to members of the Society. Please email Chris Grant secretary@dartmoorponysociety.com if you would like to sign up to the awards.
TopSpec sponsor prize money which is split between the overall prize winners.
For more details go to Awards page.
For both in-hand and ridden ponies. For more details and an entry card please contact the Secretary, see Contacts page. Free to enter for members.
This in-hand showing competition is for members living in Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset who do not show a Dartmoor pony outside these counties. Free to enter. Contact Caroline Belam at carolinebelam@gmail.com or on 01364 643215 for more details.
Each pony needs a separate entry card, ideally to be sent out via e-mail with a list of eligible shows.
This will be taking place again in 2024 and run again by Lynda Calcutt. It is open to fully and supplementary registered Dartmoor ponies owned by members of the Dartmoor Pony Society. There is no charge to enter. Sponsors are needed to help the awards to take place. If you are able to sponsor, please email Lynda at calcutt@frinton.net.
The In-hand award includes ALL OPEN SHOWS except star shows. All classes can be counted except novelty classes (Fancy dress, Child Handler etc.) The awards will be split into adult and youngstock. Completed forms must be returned by 31st December. No late forms will be counted.
Awards Booklets can be obtained direct from Lynda Calcutt who will send all booklets out. Completed forms to be returned to Lynda Calcutt, Laurel House, Bentley Road, Great Bentley, Colchester, Essex, CO7 8QZ or to calcutt@frinton.net
It is FREE to enter!
For more details go to Awards page
Entry forms available as download on Awards page.
For Privacy statement regarding these competitions please see SHOWS page
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 Dartmoor’s achieve qualification and success at Horse of the Year Show, mainly in lead rein and first ridden classes but also in open ridden 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.
8th - 14th August 2025
The Convention will include celebrations of the Dartmoor Pony Society's Centenary. See the link to the flier with programme details and how to book below the Timetable. All events are open to members of the DPS and non-members.
The DPS was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the untimely death of life member, Joyce Newbery. Also below details of the Celebration of Life to be held on 10th June 2025.
The DPS are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Tisha Roberts of the world renowned Hisley Stud and the most staunch supporter of the Society. Funeral Arrangements given below.
Schedule, Entry Form and Stable Booking Form all now available for 13th July 2025 Show on Shows page.