By: Blonde One
You already know about the South West’s Ten Tors Challenge and its equally impressive and important Jubilee Challenge. Well when I attended my posh lunch at the Ten Tors event I learned about another branch of the challenge that was piloted last year. This Challenge is inspired! It takes on some of the tough elements of the main challenge and combines it with an additional challenge. As if the 14 mile route wasn’t enough, participants have to lead and care for a Dartmoor Pony while they walk. The Challenge has been created in collaboration with the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust as part of its Ponies Inspiring People Equine Assisted Learning Programmes. It has long been documented how working with or just spending time with animals can have benefit and I can see how this benefits young people in particular. I can think of numerous students that would have benefitted from this scheme. The opportunities for improving self confidence, achieving success and development generally are obvious through this scheme.
It’s an exciting branch to the Ten Tors event and one which I am sure will continue as long as the 50+ years of the main event. Well done Dartmoor and all those involved in this challenge for giving the young people of the South West another opportunity to be brilliant!