A celebration marking 70 years of the Thelwell Pony

Find out how the Thelwell Pony was born, as the wild, yet endearing, caricature celebrates turning 70

Norman Thelwell, the creator of the ‘Thelwell Pony’, loved drawing and painting from a young age – in particular, countryside-based cartoons. But when he drew his first pony cartoon for the British magazine Punch in 1953, he had no idea of the impact it was about to have.

Where it all began

Recalling this momentous time in his autobiography, Norman said: “One day, I drew a pony, and it was like striking a sensitive nerve. The response was instantaneous. People telephoned the editor and asked for more. Suddenly, I had fan mail! So, the editor told me to do a two-page spread on ponies and I was appalled. I thought I’d already squeeze the subject dry. I looked at the white drawing block and wondered what on earth to do. In the end, I dreamt up some more horsey ideas and people went into raptures!”

And that’s exactly how the Thelwell Pony was born. Norman’s inspiration for his pony illustrations came from his home in Staffordshire where he lived next to a field containing two small, fat and hairy ponies that were “owned by two little girls about three feet high”. Norman recalled: “They would arrive to collect their mounts in yellow pullovers, tiny jodhpurs and velvet safety helmets. As the children got near, the ponies would swing round and present their ample hindquarters and give a few lightning kicks which the children would sidestep calmly, and they had the headcollars on those animals before they knew what was happening. I was astonished at how meekly they were led away, but they were planning vengeance – you could tell by their eyes!”

Upon discovering his humoristic calling within the equestrian world, Normal Thelwell developed a cartoon strip about a particular pony-mad young lady (named after his daughter Penelope) and her cheeky pony, Kipper.

A cause for celebration

Today [3 May 2023] marks the 100^th anniversary of Norman’s birth, and, throughout the year, his children, David and Penny, are celebrating the occasion – as well as the 70^th birthday of the Thelwell Pony – with exhibitions, republications and new associations with bodies that align with their father’s values and passion for animals and the natural world.

Penelope Rides Again is one of Norman’s most popular books and was republished at the end of 2022. It follows the story of Thelwell’s pint-sized equestrian getting back in the saddle (or, more frequently, out of it) as she braves both showgrounds and countryside with the unruly Kipper.

Entertainment for all

For years to come, readers of the Thelwell stories will continue to learn to pick themselves up after a fall, no matter how hard, and be able to laugh about it. Even the young equestrians of today can relate to the caricatures of headstrong Shetlands taking an unplanned wander or jumping the route least expected, which shows that Norman Thelwell’s timeless humour and the rider’s unconditional love for their pony can never be outgrown or forgotten.

Discover more at thelwell.org.uk

Image © The Thelwell Estate 2023