THE Ten Tors/Jubilee Challenge event this year will see the piloting of a new challenge ‘Fresh Tracks’ aimed at young people with a range of challenging life issues.

Participants have an opportunity to build confidence and life skills through training for, and achieving, a demanding walk of 10-miles across Dartmoor, leading Dartmoor ponies as their ‘platform for learning’ and motivation.

Fresh Tracks has been created, co-ordinated and delivered by the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust (DPHT). It came about following an idea proposed to the DPHT by the Army, as part of its aim to provide additional opportunities for youth.

The Fresh Tracks programme is for young people from local secondary and special needs schools. Students have a range of physical, social, domestic and environmental challenges or they may have some form of behavioural issue. Fresh Tracks gives them an opportunity for personal development and self achievement in an environment that would otherwise be unlikely to be available to them.

To equip them to take part, the students have undergone eight weeks of intensive training to build their handling skills with ponies, walking safely in the Moorland environment, navigation, first aid and team work. They are supported by trained pony handlers, moorland guides, first aiders and their own schools’ learning support staff, as well as members of the DPHT volunteer team.

Dru Butterfield, in charge of Fresh Tracks for DPHT, said: ‘The DPHT has been involved with the Jubilee Challenge in the past, successfully taking a pony to accompany and motivate participants. We took a break when we were establishing our new centre in Bovey Tracey and focussing on developing our Ponies Inspiring People programmes for youngsters with challenging behaviour and/or learning difficulties. It is fantastic to be back. This time we are bringing an exciting new concept to Ten Tors and creating a life changing experience for the students taking part.

‘Delivering Fresh Tracks has been an amazing team effort. The schools have made huge commitments to bringing their students to training sessions, including weekend walks; the students and their families/carers have shown incredible determination and enthusiasm — we cannot praise them highly enough and our volunteer guides and

support team members have been invaluable. We must also give full credit to the temperament of the Dartmoor ponies that we have chosen to walk with our students — Skylark and Stonechat, loaned by volunteer Sue Parrott of Chagford and our own DPHT pony George.

‘Being approached by the Army to develop a brand new element for Ten Tors is a real honour. We believe this pilot will be a great success with potential for future development.’

Lieutenant Colonel Peter Bates, of HQ SW Region and the lead organiser for Ten Tors, said: ‘The Army firmly believes in providing opportunities for young people, which is one reason the Army organises and runs the Ten Tors event. We are delighted to work with DPHT and to look at how we can be even more inclusive by running Fresh Tracks. These youngsters, who have worked so hard to get here, deserve the chance to shine, as well as gaining new skills and a real sense of self pride.

‘Fresh Tracks is a great example of how organisations can work together to develop something special and I know only too well how much work and effort goes into making these opportunities a reality. We very much hope that it will be a programme that can be extended and become a regular element of the Ten Tors.’