Native Pony People.

Name
Pam Harvey-Richards.

Stud Name
Knightwood.

Breeder
New Forest Ponies.

Current / Former panel judge
See note 13.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
By watching the NF Ponies (1928?) passing down the Ashley Road in Upper Parkstone on their way to the working farms at Sandbanks. No farmers shod the NF in those days.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
My Dun Stallion, Knightwood Spitfire, unbeaten under saddle.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
Judging at Olympia, testing my honesty. I would have liked to put up a NF but I was the first to put up a Highland.

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
That the judge knows good conformation and correct movement; and true pony type of the Native in front of them.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
Seeing the competitors doing their job properly and enjoying themselves with a smile on their face!

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
To breed for good and well behaved ponies which conform to breed standard.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
To have had the honour of escorting HM the Queen around the stallions on Whitefield Moor in 1979, and judging at Olympia.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
The Knightwood Oak in the New Forest.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
So many memories I cannot recap them all.
Most are really good, some amusing, no bad ones that I can recall.

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?
Past - Knightwood Spitfire and Deeracres Franco.
Future - Knightwood Golden Legacy out of Knightwood Melissa by Farriers Field of Dreams,
a golden Dun Colt.

11) Can you recommend a good Native Pony book?
In praise of New Forest Ponies, produced by Dr. Sue Baker and the New Forest Pony Enthusiasts Riding Club.

12) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Remember the native breeds as they have evolved, it's the ponies that matter not the people.

13) Any further comments?
I have had the honour of being on all NP panels except Welsh and Dales.
NPS panel and Show Pony and Hunter Pony panels. Commitee member and president of NFPB&C society. Founder member and Chair of NFP Enthusiasts and BHS Riding Club.
President of NF Hampshire County Show. Honourary member NFPB&C.
Organised pilgrimage of native ponies from their native areas to the Royal Show in 1998 to a pageant from all breeds in the main ring with the great help of the BHS.