A new book by an Eden-based author about the Lake District’s traditional Fell pony breed is to be presented to the Queen next month at a major equestrian event.
A Century of Fells has been put together by breed enthusiast and author Sue Millard, of Greenholme, near Tebay, and follows on from her first book on the subject, the award-winning Hoofprints in Eden.
The new book was launched at the Fell Pony Society’s annual meeting and has been dedicated to the Queen, who is the society’s patron.
A copy signed by members of the society’s council will be presented to the monarch at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on May 13.
The event will also see a large group of Fell ponies parade to celebrate both her platinum jubilee and the society’s centenary.
The book uses vintage and modern photographs of hardy Fell ponies to show how the breed developed over the past hundred years and considers how it could progress in the next century in the face of major changes in agricultural policies.
Sue said she was prompted to write the book because Hoofprints in Eden was published in 2005 and had become a little bit out of date, and also the centenary of the breed society seemed like a fitting landmark occasion.
She added: “I have had great support from the society and a lot of members — many people have let me have access to their whole collections of Fell pony photographs. A lot of ‘new’ material — some of it actually very old — has come to light, which is great.”
The society was founded in 1922 but the Fell pony has roots going back to pre-history. Descended from the fast, enduring Galloway stock mentioned by Shakespeare, the Fell pony became known by its modern name around 1853.
Sue’s other works include six novels, two collections of short stories, a book of cartoons and three collections of poetry.
A Century of Fells is published by Jackdaw E Books and is available from the publisher at £22.70, including UK postage, and also from the Fell Pony Society.
