The Raygill Dales Pony
Horses have been featured on the farm since the Wall family moved to Raygill in 1898, breeding Clydesdales for surrounding farms. They were also contracted to the 'Crown Estates' to provide work horses.
Breeding dales ponies began in 1963 with a mare called Ewebank Beauty who is the great grandmother of most of the ponies at Raygill. Her daughter Raygill Julie was an 'in hand' winner in the 1970's and 1980's with her best year in 1984 with 15 'in hand' championships. Granddaughter, Raygill Heather went on to qualify for the Olympia Mountain and Mooorland Ridden Championships in 1990. Raygill John, her son, was purchased by the BBC for the Riding for the Disabled and became the Blue Peter pony 'Jet.'
In recent years the last of Julie's daughters, Raygill Hazel won the Spring Breed Championship at Barnard Castle, the champion Dales pony at the Great Yorkshire show and the reserve champion at the summer breed show at Barningham Park. She also won her first ever ridden class at the Summer Breed Show.
The Dales pony, one of Britain's largest native ponies, is a quiet, willing pony with a kind temperament. It is known as the 'great all rounder,' because it equally suits children, first time riders and yet is still capable, when asked of giving a lively comfortable ride to the more experienced.
They can excel at dressage, show jumping paddock, cross country and driving.
Many Dales ponies work at the Raygill Centre and are used for lessons, trekking and holidays.
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