"Wild pony colt. Cold tourists in the rain in the background. Brecon Beacons, Wales"

gelatin silver print

signed, titled, dated, and numbered on verso

The shot of the wild pony colt in the Brecon Beacons national park in Wales is probably one of David Hurn's most famous images. The iconic image was taken after he moved from London back to his home in Wales in 1972.
There are several horse populations living in the wild in Wales. The best known of these is the Welsh Pony, a centuries-old native breed of pony. In the 16^th century, under Henry VIII, wild ponies were nearly exterminated. In addition, events such as the blizzard of 2013 caused the population to be drastically minimized. Currently, there are less than one thousand registered broodmares in Wales. The Welsh Mountain Pony – or Section A pony – is now classified as a rare breed. Its survival depends entirely on dedicated breeders who belong to Hill Pony Improvement Societies, of which there are only a handful left. Short and stocky, the ponies are well suited for life among the rocks and cliffs of the Welsh mountains. With their even-tempered yet spirited character, they have proven themselves over centuries as riding and working horses. Although they are no longer needed as pit or draft ponies today, they are once again needed for a task for which they are best suited. They simply need to be kept in the open hills where they can roam in herds and graze on the uplands. Because they are hardier and less finicky than sheep, Welsh ponies are perfect for maintaining the uplands. They can graze year-round and are hardy enough to overwinter on the hills. The ponies are a popular sight for tourists visiting Wales.
(Christoph Fuchs)

"The nature of photography is that normally the photographer sallies forth with some potential content in mind. However many of the most memorable pictures are an extension of that search when suddenly one sees the unexpected. If you have a camera with you, if you have the technical skill to capture this moment, it is often this ‘living’ picture that lasts the test of time.
I have written before about my worse seen but not recorded picture, my camera in the boot of my car when the scene unfolded in front of me and I was trapped in my seat. I will not make the mistake again, but that potential picture is still ingrained in my mind.
I now have an iPhone but rarely have it with me, I think its technology frightens me, its my pathetic lack of understanding, I must overcome it – so many wonderful pictures have been taken on a phone and for most it’s always with you – thus a good back-up." David Hurn on Instagram in March 2021.