A TRANSFORMED pony centre has experienced one of its busiest summers ever. The Dartmoor Pony Training Centre is flourishing, thanks to a new home, a new name and a welcome donation, which will enable it to hold a special open day next month. Firstly, members of the centre moved 20 ponies, a shed and a field shelter into their new base at Moretonhampstead consisting of 20 acres, in one day. Then the non-profit voluntary organisation successfully changed its name from Dartmoor Pony Rescue Centre, over concerns about using the word ?rescue?. The Dartmoor hill ponies are looked after by a dedicated team of volunteers who care for the animals left unwanted at pony markets. The centre is the brainchild of Kathryn Hulland and Natalie Torr, who have been caring and training for the ponies for almost two years. They decided to set up the centre so they could train and re-home ponies, offer advice, marketing and training support to people wanting to sell their ponies privately, offer advice and information on suitable training methods for working with Dartmoor Hill ponies and work alongside and support other organisations working with ponies. The centre currently has 14 ponies, two of which, Merry and Trixie, will stay with the centre to form a base herd ? to help any new ponies feel comfortable. Wetnose Animal Aid recently donated £1,000 to the centre to help with the payments towards the new field shelter, help invest in public liability insurance and help with organising an open day which is being held on Sunday, September 30. During the day there will be training demonstrations by various pony trainers including Natalie and Kathryn and Sarah Weston from Intelligent Horsemanship. Natalie said: ?I?m really looking forward to it. I am hoping everyone will come along and I am really keen on meeting people who are interested in Dartmoor hill ponies.? For more information on the centre or the open day call 01364 654609 or visit http://www.dptc.org.uk">www.dptc.org.uk