AN historic fundraising 100-mile challenge – its target was £5,000 – across Dartmoor has ended.

And it has highlighted the importance of the Dartmoor pony to the livelihood of the moor.

The Pack Pony Challenge highlighted the ponies’ past achievements, their current role on the moor and how vital it is to keep them there for the future.

The Rare Breeds Survival Trust has confirmed the pony is on the endangered list.

The challenge began last month and involved Dru Butterfield, of the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust, Paul Rendell, moorland guide, and Sam Goodwin, of Dartmoor Pony and Pack with ponies Jasmine and Billy.

Mr Goodwin made replica packs of ancient pony equipment.

They travelled between the four stannary towns – Ashburton, Chagford, Plympton and Tavistock – where tin was mined. In each town, the mayor (or stannator, in Plympton) signed a Dartmoor Pony Declaration confirming support for ponies on the moor.

The three, who were joined at various points by people raising sponsorship, covered around 15-18 miles a day. The 100-mile mark was passed at Dartmoor Zoo, Sparkwell, and the trek finished at the ponies’ home at Lukesland.

Mrs Butterfield said: ‘I realised how amazing the ponies are to cope with the terrain, carry the packs and look after the rather less surefooted humans travelling with them; to face wild ponies on the open moor one minute and a crowd of schoolchildren in the town centre the next.’

Money raised will go towards the pony trust’s recently-announced Dartmoor Pony Conservation Grazing Research Project.