Return of the Pony and Trap (From Western Telegraph)

Return of the Pony and Trap

3:03pm Wednesday 17th June 2009

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The pony and trap seemed to me to be a romantic reflection of a by-gone age. My chance to become acquainted with them again was due to an invitation from our neighbour, Carolyn Morgan, who teaches riding and horse care at The Crosswell Riding Agency. I arrived early with Freddie my young labrador and he was met by Biff his aging terrier friend - and permanent fixture around the stables.

My images of ponies and traps were of those driven by doctors, wealthy farmers or perhaps the clergy or gentry from an earlier century. They are often seen on television series depicting the past.

On a sunny morning the ponies and traps had gathered from various places like Swansea, Carmarthen, Cardigan and more locally.

There were various insider "tips" being exchanged: best and cheapest way to keep the leather supple, discussion on the merits of the change some owners were making from the pony pulling from the shoulders by the conventional collar to a recent system becoming popular needing a different harness. The horses were ready to get between the shafts and one owner said, "When he is ready to move I have to be alert as he will be off."

This trip was a meeting of a club and the first time they had met at Carolyn's Riding Agency. The route was via Nevern with its ancient church and the bleeding yew, through Newport, up into the Preselis towards Carn Ingli and then returned past the Pentre Ifan Cromlech. With the sun shining, the sea off Dinas Head azure in the distance, pubs, pinics and more history, legends and famous landmarks than might seem possible, this was a day to relish.