Native Pony People.

Name
Christine Robinson.

Stud Name
Kerbeck Fell Pony Stud.

Breeder
Fell Ponies.

Society Rank
Vice Chairman of the Fell Pony Society.

Current / Former panel judge
Current Fell Pony Society panel judge.

1) When did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
I first bcame interested in Fells when I went to a local Riding School that kept them. I was about seven years old. I got my first Fell when I was fourteen.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
I have met many ponies over the years that I have liked very much. My first Fell Townend Princess II taught me a lot. High Heath Dainty, who we lost when she was seven, was a fantastic pony in all ways as well.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
I once judged a riding class a a local show when a Scottish pipe band started up next to the ring.
It was much more amusing for me than it was for the competitors, though!

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
Judges must always remember where the ponies came from, and know what the true 'type' of each breed should be.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
The smiles on the competitors faces, hopefully!

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
Keeping the breed true to type, and supporting the breeders of the free running, feral herds.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
I’ve had lots, my first foal is one, then more recently breeding a filly who was the great-great-granddaughter of my first Fell.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
Kerbeck comes from a small river near where we used to live when I first got Fells. Beck is Cumbrian for a small river or stream. The “Ker” is a corruption of “kirk” or church.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
Winning my first red rosette on Princess. It was raining cats and dogs, and the ring resembled a swamp. She was foot perfect in her show with the Judge, the late Peggy Crossland, riding her.

10) If you could wave a magic wand and have any pony brought to your yard; be it past, present or future, who would it be?
Either Princess or Dainty, I could not really choose.

11) Can you recommend a good Native Pony book?
'A Lifetime with Ponies' by Roy Charlton, or 'Hoofprints in Eden' by Sue Millard.

12) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Remember breed type!

Breeder information at: www.kerbeck-fell-ponies.co.uk