Anna Zhigareva brought two Exmoor ponies, Osprey and Monster Munch, from the West Country to Auckland in January, marking the first time the breed has been in New Zealand. The scheme was started by Zhigareva, who fell in love with the ponies while studying in Scotland and saw potential for them to flourish in New Zealand as ridden, driven, and conservation grazers.

Exmoor ponies are listed as a ‘priority’ on the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s watchlist, and exporting pure-bred representatives to other countries is seen as a way to safeguard the breed. Before Zhigareva’s initiative, there were no Exmoors in the Southern Hemisphere, with the last recorded export to New Zealand being in the mid-19th century.

Osprey, the mare chosen for the journey, was in foal and had only six weeks to acclimatize after being born in New Zealand. Now settled in their new home near Auckland, Osprey and Monster Munch are continuing their journey, with updates available on Willowdale Ranch’s Facebook page for those interested.