WHILE television fans have been tuning in to the second series of Poldark, Ross and Demelza — not the characters, but Bodmin Moor ponies — were reunited after a year of separation following the tragic loss of their mother.

The story of the Poldark ponies began when the two young moorland sibling ponies, a yearling and a month-old foal, lost their mother to a hit and run.

Horse lovers Jess Holman and Caroline Ivey who live as neighbours in the hamlet of Pendrift, Blisland, on the edge of Bodmin Moor, asked the farmer owner of the ponies if they could care for them and, after a considerable effort rounding up the youngsters by the farmer, he was happy for them to take the ponies under their wings.

With the ponies being born on Bodmin Moor, and very near to where the TV series Poldark is actually filmed, Jess and Caroline just had to name their new charges Ross and Demelza.

Demelza, being only a month old and requiring special milk substitute, initially had to be fed every two hours to bring the foal back to strength. Ross was very much a wild and bedraggled yearling also requiring love and attention. Both ponies are now doing well with Ross a strong and handsome chap, and Demelza pretty and feisty.

Last Sunday, by chance coinciding with the start of the new series of Poldark, the siblings Ross, now two-years-old, and one-year-old Demelza, were brought together again having spent the past year separately, Ross with Jess and Demelza with Caroline.

Initially placed in adjoining stables, it was clear the ponies were immediately aware of each other and were soon nuzzling their heads together from the stable doors. It was then off to an enclosed field at Caroline’s stables where both ponies were turned loose and free to get to know each other again.

With much racing around, nuzzling and standing together touching — with the occasional feisty energetic kick from Demelza showing just who was boss — each then in turn rolled on the grass in front of the other. It was then back to the stables and then a return to their individual fields.

It is hoped a repeat meeting will take place very soon.