On May 18th this year Jet will have been working for the RDA at Barrow Farm for an incredible 20 years. I remember the day he came, a lovely sunny day, our riders and ponies lined up to greet him. The air was electric with excitement as the big blue horsebox came down our lane. The camera team made him walk up and down the ramp four times before they were happy with the shot. From that very first minute his behaviour was impeccable, and we just knew he was going to be a very special pony. Tessa Martin Bird F.B.H.S. who had also trained Rags, the first Blue Peter Pony, had done a fantastic job of turning what I believe was a very lively young pony into Jet, RDA Superstar.

Jet quickly proved himself to be a worthy successor to Rags. Over the years he has been out and about helping to promote both the RDA and the Dales pony breed. He has been to the Royal Show, the Ascot Races, RDA's 25th birthday, The London Harness Horse Parade and many many other places. At all those events he was ridden or driven by a disabled rider/driver. I have always trusted him to behave and he has never let me down.

At home at Barrow Farm, he got on with the really important job of being an RDA pony. He would be the pony of choice for assessing new riders, the one that stood endlessly at the block waiting for the rider to pluck up the courage to mount. He had, and still has, a lovely safe feel to him and remains a fabulous confidence giver. He has given many riders their first taste of “doing it on their own”. Jet can possibly do bending cones in his sleep, but as far as the rider is concerned, they are definitely in control! For the more able riders, watching the smiles on their faces as Jet’s trot goes into overdrive down the long side provides a coaching magic moment. He gives the riders and the coach the confidence to push the challenge that little bit further. Perhaps never more than last year at Hartpury when he gave our rider Emma her own special “magic moment” riding on her own in the magnificent indoor arena.

“Hi my name is Emma I have severe cerebral palsy. I have been riding Jet for many years and have developed a very close bond with him. I have been riding for twelve years, and I used to need two side walkers to hold me on a pony. Since I have been riding Jet my balance has improved dramatically so much so, last year I went to my first regional competition off lead with no side walkers. I could only do this on Jet because he is so calm and patient. We qualified for the national competition. Jet was very lively at the nationals, it was scary for the people watching (especially Anne) but I felt completely safe on Jet, I really trust him. Whenever I see Jet I light up, he means so much to me if it wasn’t for jet I wouldn’t be at the stage I am now. I can’t see myself loving another pony the way I love Jet.”

He is truly a very special pony, proving the truth of the saying. “You can’t beat a good British Native Pony”.

Born in 1982 as Raygill John at The Raygill Stud in County Durham, the Blue Peter viewers chose Jet as his name.

He was bought by the 1987 Blue Peter Christmas Appeal and spent 14 months learning how to be an RDA pony. During that time he was ridden by The Princess Royal. Once fully trained he came to work at Barrow Farm and has been there ever since. He has been on the television lots of times, teaching many Blue Peter presenters a bit of “horse sense”.

He is the oldest, most experienced Barrow Farm pony and has shown his versatility in dressage, jumping, cross country and showing. His latest challenge is carriage driving and many thanks go to those who helped in his training.

Excelling at RDA competition, he has helped put Barrow Farm on the map, at both regional and national finals, winning Dressage, Tack and Turnout, Working Pony and Rider and the mounting competition, some of them several times.

Barrow Farm would like to thank RDA for placing him with them. Jet has always had a special place in my heart. All the staff, volunteers and Trustees at Barrow Farm and are looking forward to Jet remaining fit and well and working for as long as he is happy to – and after that, a long and relaxing retirement – he most certainly deserves it.

Anne Mitchell, Instructor, Barrow Farm