THIS weekend saw many commoners competing at the annual New Forest Pony Breeding and Cattle Society’s annual show at New Park, Brockenhurst.

A showpiece for the very best of New Forest ponies.

Like many things in the Forest the show has changed over the years. Before moving to New Park the show was held in Burley and commoners often walked their mares and foals to the showground from many miles away.

Many of the cups presented this weekend date back to those days and it is wonderful to look at all the familiar names on the old trophies.

It always amazes me how well behaved the Forest run stallions are, not so long ago they were running the Forest.

At the show they are calm and well behaved as they show off their paces, most are shown in simple white halters. One of the most significant changes is the much improved quality of the Forest Bred ponies which are now as good as the stud bred ponies in many cases. A pony is Forest bred if it was sired and born on the open Forest.

Each year the cattle classes are hotly contested with some good rivalry and banter before the results are announced.

Grandad talks about the days when the cattle were tied to a rail at the show, but these days the cattle are judged on the Forest or on the holding.

We were absolutely delighted to win both the best cow in calf and the championship with Cuffnells Ruby.

Whilst it is fun to enter the show it is nice to get some recognition for the hard work and commitment we have made to breeding and producing the right sort of cow for the Forest.

Our cows are mostly Aberdeen Angus with a few other native breeds thrown in including Hereford and Luing.

Drifting season is upon us now. Please take care when you are out and about in the Forest and if you come across fast moving ponies be ready to stop and wait for them and those following them to cross the roads.

We are truly grateful for the cooperation of the public and understand that it has an impact on where people can walk or ride that day. Drifts are absolutely vital for the management of our ponies.

Without the cooperation of many riders it would be impossible to gather in the ponies for their annual health check.

The recent rain has meant that the grass is growing well and commoners back up grazing will provide excellent feed for mares and foals caught on the drift.

Enjoy your week and keep an eye out for the exquisite fungi that is appearing all over the Forest.

We have enjoyed a lovely feed of field mushrooms we gathered in the fields at home.

Lyndsey Stride

Commoning Family

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