Children preparing for pony trek

The Jubilee Challenge is a trek across Dartmoor for children with disabilities

A group of children with disabilities have met the ponies they will lead on the Jubilee Challenge next month.

Pupils from Mayfield School, Torquay, were joined by helpers from the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust for their first experience with the animals.

They were learning how to lead and control the ponies for the 7-mile (11km) trek across Dartmoor, Devon.

Mayfield team manager Guy Rapson said having the ponies with them for the trek would "keep the children going".

"Not only will they be doing the challenge, which is very demanding physically and mentally they'll also be developing a relationship with the pony along the route and I think it will help to motivate them," he added.

Build confidence

The Jubilee Challenge is designed specifically for young people with special needs, both educational and physical, and is a sister event to the famous Ten Tors trek.

Children taking part will cross the moor along specially selected routes on ponies and in wheelchairs.

Dru Butterfield, manager of the trust, said it was important for the children to get used to the ponies and build their confidence.

She said: "We've gone from the stage of patting, a little bit of interaction, to actually leading the ponies and feeling quite comfortable around them."

Between 250 and 300 participants usually take part in the challenge, which takes place on 9 May - the first day of the main Ten Tors event.