Rossi A253, or Swallow as we know him, was acquired by Caroline Rogerson as a three year old through the Moorland Mousie Trust. He is an Anchor herd pony, bred by the late Mrs R Wallace. He was brought up to Hexham, Northumberland by MMT Trustee, Mrs Juliet Rogers, along with a few others, as a foal.

We bought Rossi from Caroline in February 2005 as a five year old, and thought he would make an ideal family pony. A pony that my children and I could enjoy for years to come. Caroline has broken him in beautifully. He is lovely to ride - both safe and willing. He adapts very well to both my son, Josh, and I riding him. Josh worked out very quickly that Rossi can read minds - he has a sixth sense beyond belief ! If you're feeling confident and want to try something, he will try it for you - any hesitation from you and he picks it straight up.

Rossi had done quite a bit before we got him. Caroline had taken him to the Highland Show and he was placed 4th in hand. He had also done some dressage and cross country. The only think Rossi hadn't done was show jumping. Rossi loves to jump - but when it comes to coloured jumps with spooky fillers, you have to be committed. So for Christmas, the children got a set of show jumps so we can practice at home.

We are members of the Pony Club, so just two weeks after buying him, we took him to his first rally and he was great. He took it all in his stride. I've been amazed at just how well he has responded to what we've thrown at him. Last year, he did every Pony Club rally, fun days, picnic rides, games rallies, beach rides and Pony Club camp. Camp was the real test - by the third day, both Josh and Rossi got fed up - Josh with his tack cleaning, grooming and mucking out duties and Rossi being tied in the hemmel all night with no natural grazing time. He carted Josh off back to his field companions a few times. But, under the circumstances, he did very well as I think Camp can be quite stressful.

In April, we took him to a small cross country event. Josh and his friend Kate did the pairs. Josh and Rossi were meant to follow Kate and Galaxy and get a lead, but they somehow started off in the front and stayed there all the way around. All was going well until two jumps from the finish when a young lad on a Quad bike came too close for Rossi's comfort zone and carted Josh off course. However, they did all manage to finish the course.

We have taken him to a few shows in the past year. At the Newcastle Riding Club show, Kate rode him in the Mountain and Moorland class and came 1st, with a 2nd In Hand. The judge liked him - she thought he was quite a big Exmoor pony, but I pointed out 12.3hh is only the preferred height and it shouldn't matter if he's only an inch bigger, as the Exmoor pony is such a rare breed.

In June, we took him to a lovely country show - there was show jumping, working hunter, games, fancy dress and handy pony. He wasn't placed, but we realised that Rossi is very young and we need to continue to work on his jumping. My daughter Rachel also had fun on Rossi - she did the fancy dress on him at two shows - as a cave girl on her prehistoric horse! Once again, Rossi took it all in his stride. He wasn't even scared of Thomas the Tank Engine, or Barbie Pegasus - what a star!

The Pony Club had its annual show in July and we achieved 2nd in the Tack & Turnout, even amongst all the other beautifully plaited ponies - he was stunning. In August, we entered the Glendale show. It's our big county show and Rossi (Swallow) took par in the Exmoor-Dartmoor class - achieving 2nd In Hand and 3rd in the Ridden. Rossi was the only Exmoor!

In September, we received an invite from Juliet Rogers to a One Day Event for pure bred natives, held at Linnelwood, Hexham. It was a super day - everyone was so nice and friendly and Rossi had lots of admirers. Josh was so pleased with his rosette from the Exmoor Pony Society. It was great to meet Juliet after the phone calls and letters - and I'm sure she was pleased with Rossi's new owners.

Rossi has been great with the blacksmith, vet, dentist etc. He was even good at being clipped. Yes, I hate to admit it, I had him clipped. I hope it doesn't affect his summer coat.

With Rossi, I'm finding myself trying things again. Because he's so safe and willing, I've been jumping again - it's something I haven't done in years. It's been a great year, lots of fun and learning and trust-building. We feel very lucky to have found such a lovely pony and hopefully, he will be with us for many years to come, as Rachel will be waiting in the wings for him!

I'm sure that, given time and effort, he will turn into a good all-round performance pony. Some people think these ponies are more suited to adult riders, but it's not true - Josh and Rossi make a great team and, as time goes by, we can see a lovely bond of friendship growing all the time.

Carol Chambers