Native Pony People.

Name
Kerry Humble.

Stud Name
Lovelyhill New Forest Ponies.

Breeder
New Forest & Connemara Ponies (mainly NF).

Current / Former panel judge
New Forest and Connemara panel judge.

Profession
Equine solicitor.


1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
My father bred New Forest ponies and I have been involved with the breed all of my life.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
I love my stallion, Lovelyhill Uplift, who has gone from an ugly duckling into a swan, and has a wonderful easy temperament. I also adore Castle Comet.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
After judging a best rider class under 16, with 20 ponies and riders. A mother marches up and says 'Surely my daughter is the best rider, are you blind?'.
Also judging the Forest fed competition on the forest 4 weeks after having my daughter Honor,
and walking most days in the driving rain looking for the pony to judge and finding that the chestnut on the hill was not the pony we were after - I soon got back into my jeans after a weeks judging and walking around the New Forest.

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
Showing is a shop window for the native breeds; but we must make sure ponies keep their type and natural way of going, and that not just 'showy & flashy' types are put up.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
If I see a happy rider who loves their pony and is happy whatever colour rosette they receive.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of New Forest pony breeding today?
I think the quality of Forest Bred ponies has improved greatly and they can hold their own against stud bred ponies. The reduction of forest run stallions, and the harder selection process with the grading of mares has improved the quality of foals on the forest. There is a strong market for these desirable ponies.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
It has to be seeing one of your mares giving birth to a live healthy foal.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
'Lovelyhill' is a hill on the New Forest just outside of the family farm near Beaulieu, it has a beautiful view across the heathland. My fathers prefix is Yewtree, which is just across the road from Lovelyhill.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
Turning green with nerves just before going in to jump in the M&M workers at HOYS, and being relieved when I did not fall off.

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?
I would love the New Forest Mare, Fijal Prelude, and New Forest Stallion, Peveril Peter Piper, who has produced some wonderful stock. Also the Connemara Stallion, Castle Comet.

11) Can you recommend a good pony book?
You cannot learn about native ponies from a book, you need to get your wellies on and go out on the moors, mountains, bogs and forests; then go to all of the Breed Shows.

12) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
When competing, please can competitors smile and be polite both to others, judges and stewards. Also, 'younger' judges can have a lot to offer, they should be encouraged and welcomed by societies.

13) Any further comments?
Please can societies keep in mind that the purpose for forming was to promote their breeds,
let's keep personal agenda and egos out of it.