Frutiger 45 Light - quarterly P Spotlight on thePalatino Breed Bold- ITC Franklin Gothic

As the Society celebrates its 100th anniversary in the UnitedP Kingdom, Pony Quarterly thought our readers might enjoy learning more about this rare and talented breed from across the Pond.

THE ike many of the best pony breeds, the Dales Pony developed in the mountains and moors of Britain and Ireland. The nine British Native Pony breeds, romantically known as Mountain and Moorland or M&M , are possessed of extraordinary strength. Fashioned by harsh and unforgiving environments, they are tough, sure-footed, with Lan inherent levelheadedness. While all of the M&M breeds, including the British Shetland, Connemara, Dartmoor, Exmoor,QUA Fell, Highland,RTER New Forest,LY and Welsh, are extraordinary animals, none are more PONYcommendable than the agile and talented Dales Pony. Dales Pony the Great All-Rounder Story and photography by Kelly Davidson

Dales Ponies were bred in the Dales of England in the 19th and early 20th centuries as pack ponies for the lead industry in the Pennine Mountains. As railways emerged and road systems improved, pack ponies were slowly phased out, but the Dales found a niche on the small farms in and around Yorkshire. With their unusual strength, and sensible natures, they offered great advantages to the small farmer and his family.

In the early 1900’s, a Welsh named Comet was crossed to many high quality Dales , passing on a more free-moving shoulder and increased athleticism. The resulting stylish ponies, with their famous powerful and eye-catching , were unmatched in trotting races and provided a fashionable drive into town for the family. The Dales farmers recognized in their hardworking ponies an innate talent, and many became the preferred mount for a day’s hunt. The Dales Pony literally did it all for the Yorkshire farmers, earning the moniker the “Great All-rounder”.

Bickerdike by Design 8 >>> Pony Quarterly | Promoting and Celebrating Ponies, their Owners & their Lifestyle 8 >>> The agile and talented Dales Pony; fashioned by harsh and unforgiving environments, is tough, sure-footed, with an inherent level head and a noble beauty that captures the heart.

Because the Dales ponies were used extensively by the British Army in both World Wars, their numbers suffered greatly. By 1955 very few registered ponies remained. Thanks to the efforts of dedicated breeders and the Dales Pony Society that formed in 1916 and maintains the breed’s studbook, their numbers have gradually increased to an estimated 2,500 – 3,000 worldwide. Considered rare the Dales Pony is suitable for most all sport pony events and as such, is worthy of all serious conservation efforts. In 1994 the first 2 fillies and one colt were imported into the U.S. With fewer than 250 registered purebreds in North America, the breed is not often recognized. Nevertheless, the Dales’ athleticism, a gentle and willing attitude and a “look-at-me” show ring charisma, makes it a perfect mount for newly competitive riders and drivers.

Across the U.S., Dales Ponies compete successfully in , all forms of carriage competitions – most notably Events (CDEs) – and the jumper ring. A well-trained Dales Pony can provide confidence to young children and mature adults new to jumping or offer thrills in the hazards of a CDE.

Davidson Dales’ 1996 stallion Colliery Alick was imported from the famed Colliery Stud in England Redprairie Rose and is a true “all-rounder”, earning championships in the jumper ring, pleasure driving competitions, In 2007, the stallion was honored at the Welsh American Nationals in California driving trials (1 day CDEs), as Ridden Reserve Champion under UK judge Jane Etheridge. That same year he and in official ridden M&M classes was Reserve Champion in the Pony Division at the Pleasure Days Carriage Driving (governed by the rules of the UK’s Show in Paso Robles, California under well-known carriage driving judge and National Pony Society [NPS]). competitor Muffy Seaton, all while earning wins in the jumper ring.

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>>> Spring 2016 | www.PonyQ.com 9 Frutiger 45 Light - quarterly P Spotlight on thePalatino Breed Bold- Pony Dales Pony continued ITC Franklin Gothic Adrienne Grasso-Rogers, owner of Sterling Farms, a hunter/ jumper training facility in Livermore, California, has been training Dales for over ten years. In 2006 she showed Colliery Alick at the inaugural M&M show in California and led the P Dales stallion to his first M&M Supreme Championship and Reserve Best in Show at the Association of California’s Pacific Coast Classic. The trainer readily admits that when she was first introduced to the breed, she didn’t think they would provide much competitive advantage to her students, “They are easy to underestimate because they look like draft ponies. When I first started jumping Alick, I didn’t

THE expect a lot, but I quickly changed my mind about that. I really enjoyed showing him in the jumper ring because he was Bickerdike Expresso Magic ridden by always a lot of fun and a big crowd pleaser.” Morgan Vonderach photo by Chrissy Vonderach Though the Davidson Dales stallion is now retired, Adrienne is currently working with a Colliery Alick son, Bickerdike QUARTERLY Expresso Magic, out of another M&M Supreme Champion, PONY Canadale Black Magic. The 2005 Dales gelding has become a favorite with several junior and adult amateur riders at Sterling Farms. The popular gelding made his first foray into the rated hunter/jumper show world earlier this year, where he and his 14 year old rider, Kaylea Morrison, earned two division championships in the Pre-training Jumpers and the Beginner Jumpers at the Brookside Warm Up in Elk Grove, California.

Adrienne is a true believer when it comes to what this endangered breed can offer competitive riders. “Dales are very good, natural jumpers. They are usually quite brave and careful and you can trust them to take care of their riders. I think it surprises people when they see how big some of these ponies can jump - it’s just not what you Bickerdike by Design would expect, if you are not familiar with the breed”.

“Dales have fantastic temperaments. They can be easier to sit than a lot of , but they still have three, pure, quality gates, making them capable of upper level dressage.” ~Lisa Rago

photo by Tamara Torti

10 >>> Pony Quarterly |Davidsons Promoting Black and Celebrating Shaman Ponies, their Owners & their Lifestyle 10 >>> Small But Though the future Mighty of the Dales Pony is uncertain, with all that the breed has to offer both children and adults, as well as casual and serious competitors alike, we hold out hope that the “Great All-rounder” will soon garner legions of devoted fans across North America and beyond.

Davidson Dales Stallion Colliery Alick

Adrienne owns Davidsons Black Shaman, also by Colliery America Supreme Champion M&M Pony, to date. The little Alick, out of Reserve Champion M&M winner Redprairie lady wasn’t even weaned when she beat out 14 , mares, Rose. This 2009 Dales stallion, known as Raven to his friends, and geldings, from M&M breeds including Dales, Dartmoor, is making a name for himself in the dressage world. He is in Fell, and Highland ponies, to earn the prestigious title. training with Lisa Rago of Diablo Hills Training. Lisa agrees that the breed is special and offers a lot to competitive riders, As the Dales Pony Society celebrates its centennial “Dales have fantastic temperaments. They have bigger builds anniversary in 2016, this beautiful and talented breed than other pony breeds, making them more versatile. Almost remains listed as critically endangered by the Rare anyone can ride them. They can be easier to sit than a lot Breeds Survival Trust in the UK, with fewer than 300 of warmbloods, but they still have three pure, quality gaits, active brood mares worldwide. Though the future of making them capable of upper level dressage.” the Dales Pony is uncertain, with all that the breed has to offer both children and adults, as well as casual and Under Lisa’s tutelage, Raven is currently competing at First serious competitors alike, we hold out hope that the Level dressage and is expected to finish out the 2016 show “Great All-rounder” will soon garner legions of devoted season at Third Level. The stallion has earned scores up to 76. fans across North America and beyond. In 2015, Raven was named the California Dressage Society’s open high score Reserve Champion Pony. But perhaps his Kelly Davidson Chou is the Registrar for the Dales Pony biggest claim to fame is that he sired the 2014 filly Sterlings Society of America, a recognized daughter registry of the Total Eclipse. In 2014, the filly became the youngest NPS Dales Pony Society in the UK. She can be reached through the Society’s Website: http://dalesponies.com/.

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