In our search so far, we have found some Shetland ponies that are too big and too small, seen some cheeky puffins and some Viking longships, but not many Shetland ponies yet.
Looking for a new pony on the Shetland Isles
We know that one of our Shetland ponies, Balmoral, was born on the Shetland Island of Yell. His owner has now moved so we go in search of her to see if she has any more ponies that might be perfect for Shetland Pony Club.
Peat bogs but no ponies
The landscape is very beautiful, but windy too. We see some peat that has been cut and is drying. It’s a traditional fuel for homes that is still used occasionally, and Shetland ponies were used to carry it off the moors. I’m heading for a place called “the Cake Fridge”. It sounds an unlikely place to find a Shetland pony…
We’d love you to join us for pony fun this autumn. We are open at weekends and in the holidays until Sunday 28 November and are almost fully booked for this season.
Which pony ride should I choose?
Starter Rides–are 45 minutes long and are specially designed as first riding experiences for children from age 4 years old. They cost £40 per child. Limited availability.
Own a Pony Experiences – are 2 hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. They cost £60 per child. Fully booked.
Halloween Pumpkin Rides – themed pony treasure hunts for pony-mad witches and wizards. Enjoy 1½ hours of pony riding fun at the Ranch, during October Half Term. Age 4 +. £60 per child. Limited extra spaces.
Shetland Pony Parties – amazing pony parties for children aged 4 -10 years old. Use of a private facility with 6 ponies, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. One and a half hours – £600 for 10 children. Extra riding children (up to 18), £25 each. 2021 full – book now for 2022.
You can book online here now, or give us a call on 07734 950 309.
For your safety we have COVID-secure procedures in place:
Please minimise the number of people attending with your child
You are welcome to watch from our socially distanced benches and Safari Tent
Last week, we found some Shetland pony stallions that were too big for us and some foals that were too small. So this week we visit Shetland ponies on Bressay, another island, to try and find the perfect Shetland pony for us.
Shetland ponies on Bressay
Bressay is a short ferry ride from the Shetland Mainland. It is famous because there is a special Pictish Stone there called the Bressay Stone. It is carved with a Shetland pony being ridden by a Viking. So Shetland ponies are thought to have travelled to Shetland on Viking longships.
Grassy pastures are ideal for breeding Shetland ponies
The Marquis of Londonderry used the rich grasses on Bressay to breed many Shetland ponies to be used in coal mines around the world. They travelled by boat too, but they are not here now, so we need to look elsewhere.
Burra and the Shetland Pony Experience
The Merkisayre Stud on the Island of Burra has many wonderful ponies and the most adorable mares and foals. So do they have the perfect Shetland pony for us?
We’d love you to join us for pony fun this autumn. We are open at weekends and in the holidays until Sunday 28 November.
You can book online here now, or give us a call on 07734 950 309.
Which pony ride should I choose?
Starter Rides–are 45 minutes long and are specially designed as first riding experiences for children from age 4 years old. They cost £40 per child. Some availability.
Own a Pony Experiences – are 2 hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. They cost £60 per child. Limited availability.
Halloween Pumpkin Rides – themed pony treasure hunts for pony-mad witches and wizards. Enjoy 1½ hours of pony riding fun at the Ranch, during October Half Term. Age 4 +. £60 per child. Fully booked.
Shetland Pony Parties – amazing pony parties for children aged 4 -10 years old. Use of a private facility, with 6 ponies creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. One and a half hours – £600 for 10 children. Extra riding children (up to 18), £25 each. Full for 2021 – now booking for 2022.
For your safety we have COVID-secure procedures in place:
Please minimise the number of people attending with your child
You are welcome to watch from our socially distanced benches and Safari Tent
Come and meet our new Shetland pony, Fudge, as he arrives at Shetland Pony Club. Watch Fudge arrive and find out how he spends his first few days.
Watch Fudge making new friends
The ponies at Shetland Pony Club are very keen to make friends with our new Shetland pony, Fudge; but he needs to have time to settle in and relax in his new home. Watch as he has a drink and a roll and then meets some of the ponies, Batman, Dinky and Teddy Bear. Which ponies do you think are going to be his friends?
Book your pony fun for autumn now – new dates available
We have some new pony riding dates for the first week of October Half Term on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 October 2020 and another Halloween Pumpkin Ride too. Book now – we are almost fully booked.
You can enjoy:
Starter Rides – 45 minutes long and are specially designed as first riding experiences for children from age 4* years old (* until further notice for COVID-19 Safe Working Practices). £40 per child. New dates: Thursday 22 October 9am and 10am
Own a Pony Experiences – 2 hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. Children enjoy both riding and pony care. £60 per child. New dates: Wednesday 21 October 9am and 11am
Halloween Pumpkin Rides – Come and enjoy our legendary themed pony treasure hunts for pony-mad witches and wizards. Enjoy 1½ hours of pony riding fun at The Ranch. From age 4 years old. £60 per child. New date: Saturday 24 October 2.30pm
Shetland Pony Club is proud to be one of the first riding schools in the country to be awarded the Association of British Riding Schools Certification for COVID-19 Safe Working Practices. Having risk-assessed our riding in the light of the government guidelines, we have changed the age for riding to a minimum of 4 years old, until further notice. For children aged 2.5 – 4, we hope to be able to resume in the spring. Keep an eye on our weekly email, social media and the website here for more information.
Take care from
The Shetland Pony Club Team and all the Shetland ponies
