Guidance, Referrals & Perspective

Honoring the heritage of the Fell pony while guiding others in finding the right one for their journey.

This page exists to share perspective gained through years of working with Fell ponies — importing, evaluating, buying, selling, and connecting people with reputable breeders.

Over time I’ve built a network within the Fell pony world, both here and abroad. Through that network and my own experience, I help people navigate the search thoughtfully, focusing on quality, type, and the right match for both pony and person.

My goal is simple: to advocate for the pony, guide the buyer, andhelp ensure that good ponies find the right homes.

A Thoughtful Approach to Finding the Right Fell Pony

Finding the right Fell pony is rarely about luck — it’s about knowledge, patience, and knowing where to look.

Acquiring a Fell pony is not simply about spotting a pedigree with “rare” lines or buying on face value. It is about getting to know the breeders, seeing ponies in person when possible, and developing an eye for type — understanding what truly reflects the character and standards of the breed.

As with any breed, there can be a wide range in type and quality, and part of my role is helping people learn how to recognize the difference.

At the end of the day, the goal should be to feel proud of the pony standing before you, not to make an impulsive decision or chase rarity alone. Rare lines are sometimes rare for a reason — though not always — and thoughtful selection matters.

A pedigree offers valuable insight into a pony’s lineage, but it cannot tell the whole story. The overall health, soundness, and long-term wellbeing of the parents—including freedom from chronic conditions—are equally important considerations.

Whenever possible, I value seeing breeding animals in person and understanding how they have developed and performed over time. This helps provide perspective beyond paper records and allows me to gather as complete a picture as possible when making breeding or referral decisions.

Experience & Firsthand Exposure

Since 2019, I have traveled regularly to Cumbria, the homeland of the Fell pony, and have visited and spoken with many respected Fell pony and hill breeders — roughly twenty breeding programs in the states and abroad.

During that time I have:

• Attended the Fell Pony Society Breed Show annually

• Observed young stock presented and evaluated

• Visited both stud and hill breeding programs

• Studied the breed through well-respected historical and breed texts/lectures for more than a decade

Over time, I have also evaluated ponies in real purchase situations, gaining a practical perspective on what truly matters when selecting the right Fell pony.

Program Philosophy

My own program follows a “less is more” philosophy — focusing on quality over quantity and producing ponies that reflect true Fell type according to the Fell Pony Society breed standard.

I also place particular emphasis on bloodlines that remain close to their hill-bred heritage, as well as on diversity, to help preserve the strength, soundness, and character that the uplands and fells themselves have shaped over generations.

In many ways, the fell itself has always been the breed’s greatest judge of type.

Guidance, Networking & Referrals

Over the years I’ve helped people navigate many aspects of the Fell pony world, including:

• Evaluating potential purchases

• Importing ponies

• Passport transfers

• Training considerations & referrals based on personal experience

• Connecting with reputable breeders

• Working through questions with ponies already in their care

If I do not have a pony available myself, I am often able to connect people with trusted breeders within my network who may have a pony suited to their goals, discipline, and expectations.

This page is not simply about referrals — it is about sharing a knowledge base, helping people navigate the breed responsibly, and advocating for quality Fell ponies and programs.

What to Look For in a Fell Pony

When evaluating a Fell pony, I look beyond pedigree alone. Type, temperament, soundness, and character all matter, and each pony should reflect the qualities that have defined the breed for generations.

Some of the things I pay particular attention to include:

• True Fell type as described in the Fell Pony Society breed standard

• Strong bone (flat) and substance, without losing balance or athletic ability

• Sound feet and movement, including the ground-covering trot the breed is known for

• Temperament and willingness, essential for a pony expected to work alongside people

• Overall presence, the unmistakable look and character of a true Fell pony

Just as important is understanding the breeding behind the pony — the program it comes from, the environment in which it was raised, and the goals of the breeder.

I place particular value on ponies that reflect the hill-bred heritage of the breed, where generations raised on the fell helped shape the qualities we value today.

A good Fell pony is not defined by a single trait, but by the balance of qualities that make the breed what it is.

An Invitation to Reach Out

Every search for a Fell pony is different. Some people are new to the breed, while others have spent years with ponies and are looking for a specific match for their program or discipline.

Wherever you are in that journey, I’m always happy to share perspective, answer questions,and help people make thoughtful and informed decisions.

Whether your interest is importing, purchasing locally, from a distance, seeking advice on training/trainers, or simply learning more about the breed, conversation is often the best place to begin.

Pedigrees matter—but stewardship begins with knowing the ponies behind the names. The pony before you is the truest measure.

Highly recommended listening

Much of what I’ve shared here reflects long-standing knowledge within the Fell pony world.

Interviews with several highly respected breeders from the Fell Pony Podcast by Tom Lloyd (click the hyperlink).

Rather than taking my word alone, you can hear directly from the hill breeders themselves — people who have come from generations of pony people and spent decades with these ponies and know their history and character best. Many of the sentiments shared here will echo what I’ve written above.

• Andrew Thorpe of Wellbrow - from the FPP page, “Fell pony breeder Andrew Thorpe established the Wellbrow Stud in 1995 and has risen to be one of the most successful and prolific breeders of the last 25 years.”

• Bert Morland of Lunesdale - from the FPP page, “Bert Morland is a judge and breeder of the Lunesdale Fell ponies who have won shows at the highest levels. On todays show we’re going to go into the finer points of breeding with Bert who’s credentials in the show ring tell you that anything he doesn’t know about breeding Fell ponies isn’t worth knowing.”

• Christine Morton and Alison Bell of Lownthwaite - from the FPP page, “There have been Fell Ponies at Lownthwaite since at least 1889, when Thos Wales and his mother Mary moved to Lownthwaite at a time when equines were the “power house” of agriculture. Today the Lownthwaite ponies are one of the last semi-feral herd of Fell Ponies to roam the Northern Pennines and are managed by mother and daughter who are the 5th generation of the family.”

• Libby Robinson of Globetrotter - from the FPP page, “Libby Robinsons journey has weaved its way through 3 countries but has always kept coming back to working ponies. In 2018 she managed to move her herd from France to re-establish them as a semi-feral herd on a Cumbrian Fell and now her journey has turned into a quest to to establish a Fell Pony Heritage Centre in the Lake District to protect the Fell Pony breed characteristics and preserve the working practices for future generations.”

• William Potter of Greenholme - from the FPP page, “Bill Potter breeds the Greenholme ponies on Birkbeck Common. Having been bred and reared in the harsh conditions of Shap, they are tremendously hardy and will do well in any situation. Some of the mares have never been handled and live in feral conditions, trusting to their instincts in hard weather; In a recent wildness survey, the Greenholme ponies came in the top 5% of wild equines in Europe.”

Jane Snar visiting Cumbria, pictured with Mr. W. Potter, of Greenholme Fell Ponies.

Drybarrows Havana and Drybarrows Illicit, purchased from the Northwest Auction hosted Hill Bred Gem Fell Pony Sale, 2022 & 2023. Imported by Feathered Foothill, 2024. Selected in person visiting the Drybarrows stud in 2023 & 2024.

Had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Morland of the Lunesdale Stud in 2024. At an agricultural show he graciously and enthusiastically pointed out the defining features of a young pony for us — full of knowledge and delight even in his golden years. Listen carefully to his words; they are well worth hearing. (Pictured above with Elise Miller of Moonlit Fell Ponies in WA & below, Melissa Kreuzer of Dreamhayven in TN)