Teign student Billy Edworthy riding Bobby    (photo by www.jayphotos.co.uk)

By Judy Fawcett
Did you know that the famous Dartmoor Pony is close to extinction? The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is a registered charity, whose aim it is to preserve the native ponies on Dartmoor, now known as Dartmoor Heritage Ponies. Dartmoor is the only place in the world where you will find these ponies running 'wild and free'. Once gone they will be gone forever.

On SUNDAY 11th October, Teign School organised a cross country competition for horse riders at Whiddon Farm, Abbotskerswell, and invited all Devon schools.  The event was to raise much needed funds for the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust.
Over 10 schools entered at least one of the 3 classes and more than 60 competitors took part.

The ground was perfect, but the course was challenging in places with the second jump causing the most difficulty. The timed section tested the agility and confidence of the rider and horse with a variety of obstacles.

Rosettes (sponsored by MVF) were given up to 8th place and a trophy for the winners of each class (sponsored by Tuckers). The winners were –
Class 1 - Kathryn Crouchen on Harry Potter from Newton Abbot College.
Class 2 – Kirstie Hope on Sunrise Quest from Teign School.
Class 3 – Helen Richards on Pamela from South Dartmoor Community College.
The overall school shield donated by Babeny Farm stables was presented to the school with the most overall points. The  competition between Teign School and South Dartmoor Community College  was fierce and, after much consideration, the judges final decision was that the schools deserved to be joint winners.

Teign School Yr 12 student Leigh Riggs with Charlie at the Whiddon Farm event.