GETTING up to their old tricks — and some new — were the talented animals of the Rexon Performing Ponies and Pooches.

They wowed the Okehampton Show crowds around the entertaining ring under the command of Rachael Grylls from Lewdown.

If some of those pooches look familiar then television viewers may have recognised the canine stars from Simon Cowell's television programme 'That Dog Can Dance' or the 'Alan Titchmarsh Show' as well as performing at Crufts.

Rachel has been training the Welsh ponies and American horses for six years and the Jack Russell and Border Collie dogs for three. The tricks they get up to include moonwalking, Spanish steps, and even some 'head banging' to rock and roll music.

Rachael said: 'It takes a lot of training. The horses a month to teach a new trick. I have a fantastic relationship with the animals as its all about trust.'

Very much a family show — her husband Shaun makes the props, mother-in-law Patsy the costumes and her 11 year-old daughter Angelina helps with the entertainment. Performing with Rachael was Mary Ann Nester who has been an agility finalist at Crufts and Olympia and was three times member of Team GB at the World Agility Championships.