Here's an update on the Exmoor ponies, by popular request:

The DNA test results have come back. As I feared, the first three fillies born this year are by Swift, not Ziggy. This means that they will be registered as cross-bred foals because Swift was a registered Exmoor but not a registered stallion. Ziggy's only daughter is Christmas Pudding's foal, and his only son is Loving Cup's foal. Unfortunately, the colt damaged his near foreleg when he was young, and it looks as if he'll never be entirely sound on it. So not much luck with the foals this year, but that's ponies for you!

Jack and Harry are proving to be a bit of a long-term project. They have become very friendly, and they're now good at long-reining, but Harry is still frightened of things (like carts and wagons!) behind him. We've gone back to basic training to try to build up their confidence, and we may send them away to be broken to ride this winter.

Ilkerton Shindig, Loving Cup's foal from 2005, was bought by Adele Gregory for showing. Adele sent me a photo of him (below). The other photo is of him at two months old. It seems he still likes to advertise!