Charlie doesn't really like to talk about the past.

He likes to think that we're creating a new landscape for the future.

But we are certainly trying to wake up ancient relationships.

Our animals may look like domesticated ponies and shaggy cows, but right from the start, those animals were becoming something completely different.

But that's not to say that there weren't a few challenges on this journey from tame to wild.

Not least of all with the rather complicated Duncan.

Duncan had absolutely no fear of humans, and he would dung on this pile outside the estate office door.

And they do that as a sort of territorial marker.

One day he actually broke into the office and went straight into the reception.

Scared, scared our secretary witless.

Go on, out!

But he was a problem because he didn't know if he was wild or tame.

He was in this really weird twilight zone.

It wasn't just Duncan who was proving too tame.

In those days, we raise money by hosting events like fairs and polo matches.

COMMENTATOR: Looking for a pass.

Gotta find a way through here.

And the pigs started associating marquees with food, obviously.

They would just make a beeline for that tent, mingle with the guests, and partake of canapes.

♪ COMMENTATOR: Once again picks it up now.

COMMENTATOR: Looking for a passage of play up the field.

They broke into a catering tent and hoovered up boxes of Mister Whippy's powdered ice cream.

COMMENTATOR: Out the front now.

Taking the ball on.

COMMENTATOR: Takes and now controls it.

COMMENTATOR: Played towards the goal.

And then Duncan got involved.

♪ COMMENTATOR: On the ball playing it forward.

COMMENTATOR: Oh, looks like we've got a COMMENTATOR: bit of a pitch invasion COMMENTATOR: he's a wild Exmor pony.

COMMENTATOR: Can we just keep calm?

These were incredibly valuable polo ponies, you know, Duncan was right in there charging in and ready for a fight.

COMMENTATOR: We could be in trouble here ladies and COMMENTATOR: gentleman but the play is still on play.

COMMENTATOR: Please ladies and gentlemen, just keep calm.

It was always complete chaos.

COMMENTATOR: Oh no.

Oh no, no, no!

He's making his way over COMMENTATOR: to the marquee!

Oh, he's making his way out, COMMENTATOR: he's making his way out.

COMMENTATOR: Oh, he's taken the table with him!

COMMENTATOR: The lemon drizzle cake's had it.

COMMENTATOR: He's making his way back across the field of play.

COMMENTATOR: He's definitely not a polo pony.

♪ COMMENTATOR: Looking for a way forward towards the goal.

COMMENTATOR: The ponies all over the pitch.

It's funny in hindsight, but this kind of behavior could easily turn public opinion against us.

If they did that, the government could withdraw their support.

The clock was ticking.

Would this motley collection of animals transform the land in the way that people like Ted and Frans were saying they would?