Native Pony People.

Name
Elizabeth Robinson.

Stud Name
Globetrotter.

Breeder
Fell Ponies in the Charente-Limousin region of France.

Current / Former panel judge
Currently in training to become a judge.

Society / Rank
Branch Representative for the Overseas Fell Pony Branch of France.

Author Of
A number of articles on driving and working native ponies.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
I became involved with native ponies when living in the Lake District as a young girl.
Then i taught myself to ride, on a local Fell Pony i was allowed to ride round the fields, which years later I found out was Fell stallion Heltondale Prince. The first native pony I owned was in 1970, a bay New Forest pony called Fuzzy Pegs.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
I have a soft spot for all the ponies I have owned!

3) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
Correct breed type and conformation, plus a good temperament and versatility.

4) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
There are many memorable experiences when breeding, all the ponies have different characters and so look upon situations in different ways. One very memorable experience was when I walked down the fields to check the mares in early summer, and found my Fell mare 'Precious' had had her colt foal. He had been introduced to the other ponies in the group, but when he saw me he came straight over and held his head to one side and looked at me, the expression in his eyes said 'Who are you, and why do you only have two legs?'. He was such a bold and interested foal that I always remember our first meeting.

5) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
I wasn't sure where I was going to be living in the world when breeding, so I thought Globetrotter would be ideal.

6) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
The most memorable experience at a show was when I took my tandem of Fell Pony mares out in their first season in private driving classes, to Lowther Horse Driving Trials and Country Fair, in 1993. We won the multiple section in the morning, then went into the main arena for the championships. The view of thousands of people clapping; loudspeakers blaring, flags flying, and your tandem leader 16 feet in front of you, dancing around as though on the end of some string. Showing off to the crowds tends to leave your stomach full of butterflies! The two ponies rose to the occasion and made it look very easy for me.

7) 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?
I would be very interested in having one of the amazing ground covering trotting Fells of the 19th century.

8) Can you recommend a good pony book?
'A Lifetime with Ponies' by Roy Charlton, a lovely read.

9) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
When it comes to breeding, i would say never give up and never surrender!
On a serious note, it is very important that the knowledge you gain is passed on, for future generations to understand and expand upon.

Breeder information at: www.globetrotterstud.info