Two years ago, she was one of the much-maligned Kaimanawa horses. Now she's set to be a champion dressage pony.

The aptly-named Desert Road used to run wild in the Kaimanawa ranges on the central North Island's volcanic plateau, but lately she's been more at home in the dressage ring.

The four-year-old filly recently paraded in centre ring at the 1999 New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in Hastings, after finishing fifth in the dressage in her first outing.

Desert Road was rounded up in a 1997 Department of Conservation cull to reduce the herd to a manageable level and was bought at the subsequent auction. Another roundup took place last week and according to Desert Road's owner, Heather Pollard of Napier, the white-socked bay is proof the horses are worth saving.

"She's now part of our family, it's that simple," she said.

This weekend, Desert Road takes part in the winter series dressage programme which runs until August.

Home for the horse is a 2ha block at Meanee, on the outskirts of Napier.

She was schooled by Pollard's elder daughter, Amy, but when she left for university, 14-year-old Angela took the reins.

"From here, Desert Road will be schooled for jumping. We aim to make her a good, all round pony club horse," said Pollard.

"Unfortunately the children are growing out of her, so we want to make her a wonderful pony for someone who, later on, can give her a home.

"She has a lot of years to make someone a really neat pony," she said.