Miniature Pony Centre
The Miniature Pony Centre was a farm tourist attraction based in the center of the Dartmoor National Park, near Moretonhampstead.[1][2] In 2023, it permanently closed as a result of the cost of living crisis in the UK.[3]
Originally, the land was owned by W.H. Smith of the retail chain and he was the first Lord Hambleden who also owned Bovey Castle, formerly the Manor House.[4]
The Miniature Pony Centre first opened to the public in 1986 when it was founded by Tony and Jane Dennis.[5] The Dennis's bought various breeds of equines to Dartmoor along with other farmyard animals. They founded the Kerswell stud in 1970 and they continued to breed their pedigree line of Kerswell ponies. The breeding of Miniature Shetland Ponies happened at The Miniature Pony Centre under the Keensacre and Bottriell stud names.[6]
The Miniature Shetland Pony is a very small Shetland pony.[7] Anything under 34inches in height is classed as a Miniature Shetland whilst 34” to 10.2 hh is called a standard Shetland. The centre also bred Miniature Horses and Miniature Mediterranean donkeys.[8] In 2020, the centre also welcomed its first pair of Miniature Pigs.[9]
The centre was one of the original family farm attractions on Dartmoor National Park.[10] In 2003, the centre was sold to new owners.[11]
References
- ^ "The Miniature Pony Centre". www.bbc.co.uk.
- ^ "Foal boom begins at pony centre". BBC News. 14 April 2009.
- ^ Parkman, Chloe (26 January 2023). "The Miniature Pony Centre is closing forever". DevonLive. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
- ^ "The Miniature Pony Centre". VisitDartmoor.
- ^ "Amy Cole hears from people who've enjoyed a change of career". BBC Radio.
- ^ "Shock after pony shot by airgun". BBC News. 28 August 2004.
- ^ Tyzack, Anna (26 July 2020). "20 multigenerational family days out, to keep kids, parents and grandparents happy". The Telegraph.
- ^ "Record number of foals expected". news.bbc.co.uk. 14 April 2009.
- ^ "Miniature Pony Centre to re-open". The Moorlander. 22 February 2020.
- ^ Nsubuga, Jimmy (8 April 2013). "50cm horse born at miniature pony centre". Metro (newspaper).
- ^ "Dartmoor pony centre to re-open after last year's closure". ITV News. 20 February 2020.