Native Pony People.

Name
Christine Stevenson.

Stud Name
Sennocke.

Breeder
Highland Ponies.

Author
Editor of Highland Times magazine.

Current / Former panel judge
Current Highland Pony Society, National Pony Society, Ponies UK panel judge.

1) When did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
In 1970, a Highland Pony.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
Shennachie Tamdhu.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
Pennine HPEC show when I put a youngster up as Champion at her first show, then a few years later she was Overall Highland Pony Champion at the Royal Highland Show.

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
Keeping to breed type.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
Seeing a pony I know is special, what ever it's breed.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
Maintaining good bone and keeping to breed type. Too many ponies nowadays are light of bone and it is not always possible to recognise what breed they are meant to be!

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
Seeing homebred & trained ponies giving their new owners hours of pleasure.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
It is an old name for Sevenoaks, where I live.

9) 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?
Cuidich'm Righ of New Calgary.

10) Can you recommend a good Native Pony book?
Any written by Valerie Russell. Several old Highland Pony books are now being reprinted.

11) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Keep your Native as a Native, don't bore it with hours of schooling. This can be incorporated in hacking, let the pony have fun!

12) Any further comments?
Time is more precious than money, nothing can be achieved without it.