The two ponies we are using on our ride are registered Fell ponies, the hardy, hairy breed of ponies native to the Cumbrian fells, characteristically black with very long manes and tails.  For a ride like this, they are ideal. Although not necessarily the fastest breed on earth, their stamina and strength is second to none, and when faced with a difficult situation, their intelligence, bravery and instinct for survival has proved invaluable time and again.   There again, at the end of the day, when bed is calling .....

Lancer, now aged 20, is (uncharacteristically for a Fell pony but not surprising given his past misdemeanours) showing his age with a grey muzzle and forehead, a dodgy hip and shoulder. But don’t be tempted into sympathising with him or get any ideas about cruelty at even contemplating taking him on this trip. Much of the time, he still behaves like a two year old, shying at each and every tractor or grouse, and with the audacity to throw me off at the end of last year because I wouldn’t let him go fast enough. We’ve concluded it would be churlish not to give him his chance to once again prove his prowess as the horse who can be relied upon to give you his all, good or bad - still as keen and strong after 30 or more miles as at the start of the day. Officially registered as Linnel Lancer, he goes by various names, depending on the mood: Mr. Horrid, Lolloping Lancer, Pea Brain, Lawrence of Lanark (where we previously lived) …. and many others with four letters! His registration papers say he stands at 13.1hh but presumably that was at birth, he’s more like 14.2hh, which makes him technically over-sized for a Fell pony, but ideal for riding and driving, at least when he’s in a good mood.   

Greenhead Rowan belongs to me, Elsa. She’s 13.1hh high, well, low really, and is 16 this year. Mum bought Rowan at 5 days old with her mum, Sleddale Polly. Her favourite food is nice, prickly, hawthorn and one of her favourite habits is impersonating a tumble drier which means shaking her very long mane as well as every other bit of her body, particularly when I’m riding her. In my opinion she’s the very best pony in the world even if not necessarily at jumping, and definitely not Pony Club’s idea of what I should be riding! And dressage? Just don’t ask. You really don’t want to know. But when it comes to riding on the hills, my little Rolly Polly, as she’s known by those who are fond of her, is just the job. Her stocky little legs just keep on going! And when she’s finished, as long as she gets a roll and some tea she’s happy. At the end of April this year Rowan had a rendezvous with a magnificent 16.1hh Friesian stallion, Wessel, and was scanned in foal during May, so after we've ridden to Lands End Rowan will get a well deserved rest from riding.   And if all goes well, this time next year my future horse will have been born. 

Murthwaite Mikado was going to be our pack pony but was then reassigned to being our spare on standby at home in case anything happened to Lancer or Rowan.  After three weeks stuffing his face in a field without moving an inch, it was rather a shock to his system to be boxed up to Balquhidder and suddenly to find himself riding over 25 miles a day each and every day, but he has risen to the challenge without any hesitation.  Micky used to be my brother’s, but he wanted a much bigger horse so now mum and I share him. Micky is 7 this year, and has more than enough presence to make up for his vertically challenged 13.1hh chubby little body. He is the hairiest, funniest, bravest pony I have ever met. He is also the most naughty, awkward, unwilling-to-do-what-you-say-even-if-he-enjoys-it pony I know. When the mood suits, he can do very nice dressage, and he has a fantastically big jump. His real speciality is dumping Jake in a cow pat in front of all the girls at pony club in their tight white jodphurs (which is another reason he wanted a new horse). But as with Rowan, when he gets up on the hills, he’s amazing to say the very least. He has to work hard to maintain his very impressive waistline and his favourite hobby, is without a doubt… you guessed it – eating, particularly chicken korma!