Built from old pieces of machinery, worn tools and the rusted remains of weapons found beneath the earth, a striking sculpture is quietly celebrating its first anniversary.
At first glance, it’s just a life-size pony. But take a closer look and you’ll see it’s something much more.
The Shorne Pony sculpture stands in front of the visitor’s centre at Shorne Woods Country Park
Every nut, bolt and plate of the “Shorne Pony” tells a story about people who dug clay, hauled timber and shaped the land with their hands.
The sculpture now stands at the entrance to Shorne Woods Country Park, on the edge of the Kent Downs near Gravesend, a protected landscape known for its natural beauty.
It was created by artist Steve Portchmouth, who used only materials unearthed on site.
That includes everything from military scrap to Tudor tools, all of it found beneath the surface or rescued from the park’s archaeological store.
It has become a favourite sight for visitors of all ages.
The sculpture includes everything from military scrap to Tudor tools
Park user Tom Garner summed it up simply. “It’s like walking past history in 3D,” he said.
His son Oscar, seven, looked at the sculpture and added: “This statue reminds me of a horse Transformer.
“Like it could come to life and start moving any second.”
As Steve Portchmouth sorted through the old pieces, he saw a story taking shape. It was a story of hard work.
People clearing woodland, digging clay, farming the land, building paths and roads.
A Clay Work trail exists in Shorne Wood Country Park
“If you’ve ever worked in forestry or land management, you know how hard it is,” the artist said.
“So I asked myself, what could show that kind of labour?
“A draught horse felt right. It’s strength, endurance, history.”
Mr Portchmouth built the horse using a strong metal frame.
“That’s the internal skeleton,” he explained. “Around it, I placed all the machinery and metalwork we found.”
An early stage of the Shorne Pony sculpture, showing its internal frame and raw materials
He covered it with real objects found nearby, pieces of quarry equipment, military scrap, and even tools from Tudor times.
Then he mounted it all on the horse.
These items were uncovered by the Shorne Woods Archaeology Group, a team of volunteers guided by archaeologist Andrew Mayfield and other specialists, who have been digging and researching the park since 2006.
“I took practically the entire contents of the park’s archaeological store,” the artist added.
Steve Portchmouth’s original sketch for the Shorne Pony sculpture
“In fact, I used more than what was already in storage. We had to go out and dig up even more.”
Steve Portchmouth, who has his studio in Higham, moved to Kent as a boy and has lived and worked here ever since.
Speaking about his work on the Shorne Pony and its impact a year on, the artist said: “The whole project was brilliant. Genuinely fascinating.
“It wasn’t just about making a sculpture. It was about preserving memory in a physical way. Like a museum.”
Artist Steve Portchmouth said he thoroughly enjoyed the project
The Shorne Pony artist is known for bold animal sculptures made from wood, reclaimed metal and salvaged objects that reflect Kent’s industrial and rural past.
His best-known works include the Tannery Field Bull in Canterbury, built from steel rails to honour the area’s tannery and railway heritage.
The sculptor also created the Sleeping Monk on the Pilgrims’ Way, positioned along the historic walking route.
In Shorne Woods Country Park, visitors can spot several of his creations, including a series of animals along the Animal Sculpture Trail, the Green Man, the Big Hand with Flint, and the Circle of Fairies.
The Shorne Pony celebrated its first anniversary at the park in Spring 2025.