A herd of approximately 100 Exmoor ponies will be gathered on Brendon Common as part of an annual inspection and welfare check, with the event doubling as a fundraiser for the Devon Air Ambulance. According to BBC News, the Tippbarlake Exmoor Pony Herd will be brought together towards Lancombe Crossing before being moved to Brendon Barton Farm on Sunday.
Kristina Auckland, who manages the herd alongside her family, explained that the gathering represents a tradition stretching back generations on Exmoor. Members of the public are invited to watch the event free of charge from Scobhill Gate starting at 10:00, though visitors will be encouraged to make donations to support the air ambulance service.
The Tippbarlake herd, which ranges across approximately 3,000 acres of Brendon Common, lives in a semi-feral state throughout the year.
Once a year we will gather them in to have a bit of a closer inspection and make sure that they're all healthy and their welfare needs are met, Auckland said, describing the management approach as one of remote oversight during the other eleven months.
Why has public interest grown?
Attendance at the gathering has expanded considerably in recent years, a trend Auckland attributed to increased social media visibility and awareness. Beyond the surge in casual visitors, many local families have made the event part of their annual calendar, creating a community tradition around the herd management process.
Why support the air ambulance?
The decision to direct donations toward Devon Air Ambulance reflects the service's critical importance to rural communities.
We're completely reliant on the air ambulance being able to help us, whether you're a farmer, a local resident, or someone visiting, Auckland said. She emphasised that contributions of any size would be valuable, stressing the service's role in providing emergency medical response across dispersed populations where ground transport may be impractical.
What role do the ponies play in conservation?
Beyond their cultural significance, the Exmoor ponies serve an ecological function on the moorland. Auckland stressed the importance of raising public awareness about the breed's conservation value and its contribution to habitat management across the country.
They are born to eat ... and they're really good at eating certain types of grasses and sort of managing habitats, she explained, describing their natural grazing behaviour as essential to maintaining the moorland ecosystem.
The herd represents what Auckland called
a really important part of Exmoor's heritage, and she expressed determination to ensure their continued presence on the moor.
We want people to understand their value and the role they play, and we want them to be here for generations to come, she added.
The Tippbarlake herd is notable for maintaining old, consistently semi-feral bloodlines, with its future safeguarded by the family that manages it. This genetic heritage distinguishes the herd within broader conservation efforts for the breed.
What happens during autumn gatherings?
The annual gathering serves multiple purposes beyond welfare inspection. According to the Moorland Exmoor Pony Breeders Group, autumn gatherings allow foals to be inspected and passported, with colt foals weaned and some offered homes. This structured approach to herd management ensures genetic diversity and population sustainability while providing opportunities for young animals to transition to new owners.
Brendon Barton Farm, where the herd will be brought, has become increasingly known in the local community; the property was among four Exmoor farms that opened their gardens to visitors in May and July 2026 as part of the National Garden Scheme, with proceeds supporting health charities.
