Native Pony People.

Name
Dionis McNair.

Stud Name
Beacon Stud.

Breeder
New Forest Ponies.

Author
"New Forest Ponies".

Current / Former panel judge
NPS panel judge.

Society / Rank
NPS Council member, representative of M&M commitee. NF Verderer.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
As a child, the first pony i rode was a Shetland in Gibraltar, the first pony i owned was a New Forest.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
I have owned several special ponies; and some belonging to others.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
The worst was being bucked off for not paying attention. I was riding a pony well down the line;
and wondering if i should switch the 3rd or 4th, instead of concentrating on the pony i was on, that i knew was going no higher.

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
Retaining true type and good temperament.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
A really lovely pony going well.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
Retaining true type; ponies capable of living in their native areas, yet also versatile.
Good temperament sports ponies so they are sellable.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
Having bred a pony that got right to the top, and hearing of others that are giving fun to their new owners.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
It's the name of my house where my predecessor bred an ancestor of one of my two foundation mares.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
Finding my foal had not followed mum, but had gone into the beer tent (many years ago, native pony foals were seldom led).

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?
Peveril Peter Piper.

11) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Get your pony to really work out; lengthen for just a few short strides and come back smoothly from gallop, never let the pony go overbent or get gross.

11) Any further comments?
Have fun with your ponies.