The History of the British Riding Pony

Book excerpt: The History of the British Riding Pony is the fruit of many years of dedicated research and writing by an acknowledged expert on the subject. Drawing on archive material, the book explains how bloodlines emerged over the years and how the types we now see in our show rings have been developed. It describes in detail how the expertise of a few influential breeders initially brought together the best bloodlines from the Thoroughbred, Arab and native pony breeds to create a modern equine which has no equal. In writing this definitive account, Tom Best has not only preserved for posterity the origins and history of this important breed, but provided a fascinating backdrop of more than a century of social history. Fully illustrated with historical and contemporary photographs, the book is essential reading for British Riding Pony aficionados. It will also interest Thoroughbred, Arab and native pony enthusiasts, keen to learn of the formative role their own breed has played in the development of another. The History of the British Riding Pony is a tour de force which provides a unique overview of the development of the breed from the late 19th century, when ponies were required for polo, to the present day when ponies are used extensively in the show ring for children to ride, and is worthy of a place on every equestrian bookshelf.