Native Pony April 2022 (151)

pony

Meet our cover star on page 3!

MARCH 2022 ISSUE 151

Welsh Pony flies the flag in the USA!

• Discover Native Performance Ponies • Behind the scenes with Settvalley Stud info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 1

2 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

A word from our editor Dear Reader, It seems only yesterday that the first Native Pony issue of 2022 was released, and I can’t quite believe that we’re already well into March.

Although there haven’t been any major shows or events since our last issue, it seems lots have you have been busy competing with both open and novice ponies. Through age and the persistent niggle of an old injury, I am nowhere near as brave over fences as I used to be. However, I love watching ponies jumping, and have enjoyed seeing a flurry of social media posts celebrating qualifications for Hickstead in both show jumping and working hunter pony classes. I’m also thrilled for all those who have been competing at the Petplan Area Festivals; it’s wonderful to see that even our heavier native breeds are excelling at affiliated dressage. I’m already excited to see how some of you get on at the championships in April.

Just as we have been enjoying a return to normality from one COVID induced global crisis, it seems that our friends in the Ukraine face an entirely different and unnecessary threat to their safety and wellbeing.

Footage of Ukrainian citizens, their children, their homes and their cities has been heart wrenching and so I find myself supremely humbled by the efforts of charity workers and volunteers who have risen to the challenge of providing real aid. Our own equine community has also pledged its support in myriad ways, but none deserve more praise than Phil Judge and Louenna Hood who have succeeded in garnering so much support, so many packages and so much money in aid of the Ukrainian refugees. More on that in a few pages’ time.

at them go!” My second thought was, “That pony looks Welsh; I wonder if it is?” A few hours later, I had tracked her down. I hope you’ll enjoy finding out about Emma Crawford, her Welsh section A, Heavenly Gabrielle, and the Rosemarkie Highland stud in Australia, too, whose beautiful photos also caught my eye. Whilst we’re on the subject of photos, Ruth Chamberlain’s are as wonderful as ever in her feature, Ruth on the Hoof. How I’d love her ability to capture moments with my own ponies so deftly!

In opening my first issue, I said that I was grateful to the wonderful people who contribute content to the magazine. Once again, to all of you who contribute columns, photos and information, your efforts and your time are wholeheartedly appreciated.

I hope you enjoy the issue,

- Beth

In fact, there are a few poignant tales in this issue, and more than once I’ve found myself touched whilst pulling together these pages. Thank you to those who have allowed me to share their story.

Of course, there’s also plenty to make you smile in this issue. American photographer, Andrew Ryback, shared a photo recently of a young girl with a palomino pony on Facebook. My first thought was, ‘Wow! Look

Front cover courtesy of Stallion AI Our cover star for this issue is Amy Derber’s Welsh section D stallion, Ynyslyns Orlando.

He is registered with the WCPS and is SPSS and AES graded. You can contact Amy at www. rsadastud.co.uk Or, find out more about him in Stallion AI’s directory. He’s on page 330 of The Directory 2022 and is available fresh, chilled or frozen.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 3

Contents

Features 8. Pony in the Spotlight: Blackwood Fernando 10. NPS Awards and Bursaries 25. Ponies and Progeny in the Peaks 28. Flying the Flag

Regulars 32. Ruth on the Hoof 38. Performance Ponies 44. Shetland Breed News 46. Welsh Breed News

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50. Fell Breed News 54. Exmoor Breed News 58. Connemara Breed News

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32 Disclaimer: The view and opinions expressed within the magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or Showing World Limited and while every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in the magazine is correct and current at the date of publication, Showing World Limited will not accept any liability. Showing World Limited will not be held responsible for the appearance of photographic material supplied without the necessary consent, copyright and/or photographer’s details. In

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addition, Showing World Limited offers no guarantee of publication and reserve the right to edit any reader’s letters, press releases, reports and articles submitted.

Showing World Limited 2022. All rights reserved. No part of Native Pony may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted or shared in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to; electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopying,

Acts of charity SHOWING WORLD UNITE FOR UKRAINE The showing and wider equestrian world recently united in a superb initiative to take aid to the Ukrainian border.

The showing and wider equestrian world have come together in a superb initiative to take aid to the Ukrainian border.

Louenna Hood was saddened to hear accounts of families walking into Polish towns destitute. Feeling that she wanted to do something to help, she placed an appeal on her Instagram account @nannylouenna for children’s clothing and other childcare related goods.

“I spoke to a contact in Poland who said that children were freezing cold and in need of essentials such as baby food, nappies and clothing. I offered to cover postage of the goods directly to where they were needed if my Instagram followers were willing to

donate,” said Louenna.

However, within hours, it became clear that she would have far more than a few boxes to send. She contacted family friend, Phil Judge, for assistance with the logistics of getting a large load overseas.

Phil, who was happy to help, said: “It’s wonderful what Louenna’s done. It’s a really positive, lovely thing and we’re thrilled to be a part of it and to work as a team in this way.”

The wider showing world have also pledged their support through donating goods via Louenna’s Amazon Wishlist or funds a JustGiving page. At present, the page has amassed more than £106,000.

A fellow showing enthusiast and businessman kindly sponsored the diesel and the crossing fee, and the Grandstand Media team filled a horse lorry with supplies to be added to the donations.

Many of us were gripped to our screens during Phil’s live broadcasts on Facebook.

The first loads were welcomed by volunteers who hastily unpacked the load.

Within hours of the good arriving, they were distributed among 80 children in need, all of whom were under 12 months of age. As we go to print, Phil and Nigel will be steering a further load from Dover to Callais and the 1000 miles across Europe.

Country Haylage’s Ross Giles initiates fund raising to support Ukrainian horses and ponies.

Ross and co-owner of Country Haylage, George Baker teamed up with Sidhill Transport to arrange haulage and initially planned to take two lorries of haylage, feed and bedding to Ukraine. However, the idea has grown beyond their expectations, and they now plan to send eight lorries as we go to press.

Companies including Baileys Horse Feeds, Mole Valley Farmers, Spillers, Bedmax, Blue Chip and Dengie have all donated products totalling over £60,000 in retail value. An additional £22,000 has been donated via Just Giving to cover transportation and other costs, bringing the total value raised to over £80,000.

When it became apparent that there was almost enough for eight loads, Connemara breeders Cathy Wood and Emma Rugman

decided to donate nomination fees to two Connemara stallions, Clover Hill Magic and Glencarrig Tempest. Magic was shown a handful of times during the 2021, making a significant impact. He stood champion at Devon County, Bath and West, the NPS Spring Festival, Three Counties and the Connemara breed show whilst Tempest is a sportier option being a full brother, Glencarrig Dolphin, who is eventing successfully. Cathy, who heads up the Retail Buying Team at Mole Valley Farmers, said: “Emma and I thought if we each donated a nomination, we could buy the last few pallets to fill the eighth wagon.

We’re just trying to do something to help.

So far, we have raised £1175 which is a lot of feed”.

Dewi Roberts of the Trofarth stud was moved by the news of Louenna’s humanitarian efforts and decided to auction a covering by any of his stallions despite having previously decided that the family would not be taking any visiting mares.

The winning bid of £600 for Menai Cosmos was made by Vicky Kirby and was paid directly into the Just Giving account. Upon seeing the winning vote announced, the underbidder, Alun Davies, decided to match the bid for a covering by Danaway Rossi.

A total of £1200 has now been transferred to this urgent and extremely worthy cause.

Jet Races for Air Ambulance

Chelsea Colebrook and her Welsh section D mare, WNDA Jet entered a charity flat race at Larkhill Racecourse on February 27th, 2022. The race was run in aid of Wiltshire Air Ambulance. “It was a completely impulsive decision to enter and it took weeks of intense training for myself and Jet to get ourselves fit and ready. She’s only 14.2 hands, so you can imagine how quick her little legs had to go. We didn’t win, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and was so rewarding. Jet has a bit of a troubled past, so it was extra special to prove that she’s worth her weight in gold. She took to it like a fish to water and we got lots of compliments on how small but feisty she was. I’m so proud of her”. (Image by E-Motion Media)

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 5

Talking Point:

Natives for Conservation

By Andrea Parry Jones, Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s Farm Parks Officer, Photo by Ruth Chamberlain Equines are selective grazers, creating vegetation mosaics with shortly grazed patches interspersed with areas of undisturbed vegetation, and they can be useful for slowing down scrub encroachment through browsing. Sites using equines for conservation grazing or rewilding purposes find benefits to biodiversity, and at the same time the use of rare native breeds such as Exmoor, Dartmoor, Fell, Highland and Eriskay ponies makes an important contribution to securing these historic breeds’ survival in the modern world.

However, the Polish Konik pony is often used for conservation grazing and rewilding rather than our own native equines. The first horses were domesticated on the Central-Asian steppes and keeping horses spread quickly across Eurasia. During this expansion, local wild horses were integrated into new domesticated herds.

The Konik is sometimes said to have descended directly from the wild Tarpan, an ancient wild horse that was naturally well-adapted for survival in multiple habitats. While the hardy and versatile Konik demonstrates some wild trait characteristics, morphological and skull analysis have suggested the Konik is not actually closely related to the Tarpan.

By unravelling one ancient horse genome, knowledge on this subject has increased enormously. Nevertheless, there is much still to be studied and clarified.

One common reason for choosing Koniks is the belief that moorland specialists such as the Exmoor pony would not thrive in wetland habitats, eschewing water and mud in the depths of winter. But this doesn’t bear scrutiny.

There are many sites currently using Exmoors successfully to graze wetland habitats including St Marys Island, Grange Bog and Druridge Wetland Reserve.

The Exmoor is a prime example of how British native ponies can provide grazing and management solutions for multiple habitats, often thriving in areas considered dissimilar to their traditional home range. Small and able to survive almost anywhere, the Exmoor is an extremely hardy breed tolerant of most weather conditions due to their double winter coat.

They are intelligent and adaptable, seen to exhibit problem solving behaviour in semi-feral situations such as breaking ice on frozen water.

Their diet willingly includes a variety of grasses including rank Tor grass, sedges, and herbs.

This diet changes with the seasons avoiding environmental pressure.

Using equines on softer ground can create bare patches which in moderation benefits various species. Smaller native breed ponies are suitable for grazing on softer soils as their foot size and agility helps to reduce poaching making them

ideal where larger breeds or species may not be viable.

Though strongly grass based, native equines are highly adaptable foragers and adjust their intake dependant on environment. One example is the New Forest ponies which have been seen to consume large quantities of bracken once the toxicity decreases with no apparent ill effects.

Fell and Highland ponies have been observed consuming reed and rush throughout the year, with both known to develop additional hair on the top lip if browsing gorse. Both breeds thrive on rough grazing and have been used on extensive conservation sites. Where available, sedges can become important as autumn and winter forage; rushes, particularly Soft Rush, can be consumed in large amounts. The uprooting of plants such as nettles may occur during winter.

These examples show the resourcefulness and versatility of our native breeds. Equine breeds which evolved in the British climate and have adapted to a variety of British habitats can be used to great effect to conserve, maintain, manage and solve a multitude of conservation conundrums. Utilising native breeds in this way enables the conservation and maintenance of the sites they are grazing but also the conservation and distribution of our rare and native equines.

The possibility of additional grazing allows breeders to run on stock that may not have been possible, and it allows our native equines to prove themselves in habitats with which they may not have been associated previously, increasing their reputation for versatility.

Eriskay ponies have been used for conservation grazing in Cumbria, a breed traditionally associated with their Scottish island home.

Conservation grazing provides an outlet for ponies who may not be suited to a ridden or driven career as well as youngsters and breeding individuals.

British native equines graze a myriad of habitats the length and breadth of the country.

From Dartmoor ponies on the cliffs of Dover, Eriskays in Cumbria, Exmoors in Yorkshire, Fells in the Lake district and Highlands in the Highlands, whether in their native range or miles from home they perform important roles.

They maintain condition easily, can withstand the worst of British weather and survive and thrive in various habitats.

When seeking an equine conservation grazing solution, we should look at conserving British habitats with British breeds. RBST is working with land managers across the UK to provide advice and support so that maintaining and protecting the landscape can go hand in hand with maintaining and protecting our native equines.

6 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Leo’s Battle Leo Tilson was just eight years old when he was diagnosed with B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) on Friday 13th, September, 2019.

Mu gives Leo a nudge

Since his diagnosis, Leo has been on what his mum, Emma, describes as a ‘rollercoaster ride’ with some understandable and inevitable lows.

Leo has been confined to a wheelchair for many months. Emma said: “He has been to hell and back but he just cracks on with all he has to go through; he makes us burst with pride as he is so determined to move onwards and upwards”.

Throughout his treatment, Leo’s ponies have continued to be a great comfort to him. Emma told us that he loves spending time sitting in the field with

Just one week before his diagnosis, Leo was jumping his Fell pony, Murthwaite Frost [Frosty] around the mini cross-country at Somerford Park during a pony camp with some fellow Exmoor pony friends. He was the North-East Fell Pony Society under 12’s points league winner in 2018 and 2019, and was awarded the junior Fell pony handler of the year title in 2019.

“They really made a great team and hopefully will again one day,” said Leo’s mother, Emma Tilson. The family were gifted Exmoor pony, Mu last summer.

“Mu is such a gentle soul; Leo and Mu absolutely adore each other,” said Emma.

them and just being in their company.

Leo and his family enjoyed a particularly special moment lately when, for the first time in several months, Leo was able to walk with the aid of a crutch from the car and into the field to visit his ponies. Leo’s treatment is due to end on December 4th, 2022, “so he’s on the home straight now,” said Emma.

At Native Pony, we wish Leo the very best wishes for his recovery, and we look forward to seeing him enjoying his ponies in the future.

Leo and Mu

Leo feeding the ponies in the winter

Leo and Frosty before his diagnosis

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 7

Pony in the

Spotlight: Blackwood Fernando Claire Devlin’s 24-year-old Blackwood Fernando [Fred] captured the hearts of the HOYS audience when he clinched the 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter class under Wicklow-based Alicia Devlin Byrne. The Connemara gelding was bred by Patrick McNamara.

He is by Ferdia and out of Dancing Queen.

We caught up with Alicia to reflect on Fred’s remarkable career and that fairytale moment at HOYS 2021.

Native Pony: Alicia, you have ridden Fred for 16 years! How did partnership begin?

Alicia: His former owner, Gill Glynn, initially asked me to ride Fred as she wanted him to compete at the Royal Dublin Show and defend his title there.

Gill’s daughter, Charlotte, had won the Under 17 years old ridden Connemara class the previous year with Fred, but it was her last year in the class.

He was a big step up for me as I had just grown out of the starter stakes classes but we really clicked from the beginning. We had a very successful year; he defended his title at the Royal Dublin Show and had wins at Clifden, Oughterard – the Connemara championships – and at the end of the year, he was inducted into the Connemara Pony Breed Society ‘performance hall of fame’.

The following season, he returned to the Glynn’s, and they competed him. I rode him in the Powers Quarry Power’s International Connemara Performance Pony Championship Final at the end of the season to win the class having not sat on him for nearly a year.

Later that winter we bought Fred. We were looking to buy a Connemara and had asked would the Glynns sell him.

1st Class Images

Initially they weren’t selling but we asked one more time, just before we bought another pony, and Gill agreed.

So, we ended up buying Fred and the other pony.

NP: What is he like as a pony?

What does his routine look like?

ADB: Fred is the boss in the yard.

He knows he gets fed first and lets us know if it’s late and he’ll also look to be brought in if it’s too wet or cold. He is mostly ‘free range’ and walks himself in and out of the field, which allows him to tease everyone else in the yard as he goes by with a mouthful of hay. He can be spooky about things, especially when he is not competing. During the summer and on weekends, he is ridden in the morning and goes out to the field afterwards, weather permitting.

NP: He seemed evergreen at HOYS. Is it hard to keep him fresh after all these years?

ADB: Fred loves his job and I think that’s why he is still able to compete at the top level for his age. He has always thrived on a big atmosphere and once he steps foot in the ring, he is focused on his job, and nothing phases him.

My dad, Bernard, looks after him and ensures he is in top form.

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NP: He has enjoyed a stellar career under you. Can you give us a few of his best results before HOYS? ADB: He’s stood top at Royal Dublin Show five times, including winning the ridden Connemara class twice, the performance Connemara class, the 153cm working hunter pony class and he also won the team chase in the main arena at 22 years old. At Balmoral, he’s been champion ridden and working hunter pony multiple times. We’ve also been lucky enough to win every class we’ve entered at Clifden; he’s been champion and high performance winner multiple times and has also won the puissance class several times.

NP: And then came HOYS. You qualified at the Irish Pony Society Championships. Remarkably, it was his first visit to HOYS… ADB: Yes, that’s right. Until this year, we had never had the opportunity to qualify over here and it was too difficult for us to organise travelling so far to qualifiers with a full yard left at home.

NP: So he can now boast a 100% record in his HOYS qualifiers and at the final! Did he enjoy the atmosphere at HOYS?

following him. He has been at many busy shows and warm-ups arenas, but we’d never experienced a ring as busy as it was the evening before our class for our ride-in time. I could feel he was loving the atmosphere but he was cautious about the amount of other horses and ponies around us. The day of the class, he was so focused and the minute he entered the ring I knew he was going to give me everything.

Fred loves his job and I think that’s why he is still able to compete at the top level for his age.

ADB: He loved HOYS! He travelled really well & settled in straight away.

But, he wasn’t sure about the long walk to the arena by himself and kept checking back to ensure my dad was

NP: Had you ever ridden at HOYS before? It must have felt magical to stand at the top of the line?

ADB: I’d never even been to HOYS, never mind ridden there before!

I was blown away by the scale of the show and the atmosphere; it really is the ‘arena of dreams’. I had always wanted to compete at HOYS, but it was always a pipe dream. I was very aware of the

standard of the ponies and riders we were competing against, so to be pulled top of the line was amazing. All the way over I was asking myself, ‘why I hadn’t tried before with him, when he was in his prime?’ But he proved age is just a number. The conformation judge couldn’t believe how old he was or that he had travelled from Ireland because he looked so well.

NP: What’s next for you both?

ADB: Fred’s currently enjoying his winter holidays. He doesn’t live out all the time and comes in every night, even when he isn’t in work. We take each season as it comes with him; every year he has come back into work happy and healthy, and I hope this year will be the same. I will continue to ride and compete him as long as he is happy doing his job. He’ll tell me when it is time for him to retire.

1st Class Images

Anna Stevens and Lorayne Ahmet judged the mountain and moorland working hunter pony section at HOYS in 2021. Here’s what they had to say about Blackwood Fernando…

Lorayne (conformation): ‘I thought for his age, his limbs and condition were amazing compared to some ponies a lot younger in the class, who were either carrying too much weight or had shown a lot of wear and tear. He was such a correct stamp of pony and really moved freely on his trot up. I was amazed as three of our winners were veterans and they were fit and correct and didn’t show their age in their ability over fences or on the flat.’

Anna (jumping): ‘He certainly did not look his age and had a lovely way of going that is typical of Irish working hunters!’

NPS

awards and bursaries NPS education and training bursaries

Seywoods Razzmatazz

The NPS had a fantastic response to the 2022 bursaries with great depth and range of applications. The Welfare and Education committee had a very difficult choice to make but the following bursaries were announced at the 2022 AGM: Levant/Sinton Stud Bursaries These very generous bursaries are awarded

to either mountain and moorland or British Riding Pony riders in any discipline. £250 was awarded to the winner who was 16-year-old Isabela Gheorghiu whose aim is to train for BD Medium with instructor Adam Murdin and to improve her working hunter pony techniques with instructor Sarah Parker. £125 was awarded to Imogen Hargraves who is going to use the funds with a Dressage coach with the aim of qualify for the National Dressage, and with instructor Vicky Casey to improve her showing skills to hopefully qualify for major finals. The applications were so strong for these bursaries that the NPS decided to award an additional bursary of £100 to Marianne Finch, who will be using her funding for working hunter pony lessons with Jessica Talbot with the hope of competing in HOYS WHP qualifiers.

BRP Bursaries These are specifically for riders working

with British Riding Ponies. The first of these was the Cuddington Stud BRP Bursary which offered £250 to the winner to be spent on training for a registered British Riding Pony in any discipline. The winner was seven-year-old Maisie Sharp who will be training on her newly broken BRP Pearson Pom Pom, to take her from leading rein classes into the first ridden ranks, with the ultimate aim of HOYS and RIHS qualifiers.

For NPS registered British Riding Ponies competing in any non-showing discipline the Competition BRP Bursary was offered. £250 was awarded to Madeline Caunt and her mother’s homebred Frasiers Forget Me Not, who are currently competing on the BD South and East D squad with the aim of moving up a squad level and competing in BD Elementary.

A huge thank you to all our sponsors whose generosity will enable our young riders to boost their training. Further details for next year’s bursaries will be available in August.

NPS / Derby House BRP Performance scheme The 2021 Performance Scheme kindly supported by Derby House was again full of quality British Riding Ponies, competing across a range of disciplines, showing the versatility of the breed.

The overall champion and topping the eventing section was Seywoods Razzmatazz (Chycoose Troubadour x Kenilwood Wishing Wind) owned and bred by James & Kirsty Hunton, who had a phenomenal season competing in BE 90 classes, with additional points accumulated in the Show Jumping and Utility sections.

Winning the show jumping section for the second-year running was the current NPS Arena Eventing Champion, Romanno Spotless (Stanley Grange Regal Heights x Chiddock Spot On) bred by Jennifer Gilchrist and owned by Deborah Walton-Smith, rider Dibby Brown and Spotless had a great season competing in British Novice SJ and BE 100 classes.

The utility section went to Competition bursary winner, Madeline Caunt and her mother, Hannah’s homebred pony, Frasiers Forget Me Not (Soberton Graffitti x Laddenside Pepper Pot), Madeline and ‘Perdy’ were also a close second in the Dressage section.

Three-year-old licensed colt, Ryehall Saville Row (Brideswood Prince Regent x Brookwater Samsara), owned by Dan Adams

and bred by Martin Surman, had a successful season in the show ring winning the points for the in hand showing section, whilst the ridden showing section was won by Rachel Bullock’s Lowland Sentaor (Llanarth Aristocat Fraisers Forget Me Not x Lowland Silouette) bred by Dennis Morgan, who also topped the dressage section and was reserve overall.

Winners and all entrants will be receiving prizes generously provided by Derby House, who we can’t thank enough for their continued support with this unique scheme.

10 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

NPS Special Recognition awards

Roger James, photo from First Class Images

This year the National Pony Society has made a special recognition to two of its members, Roger James and Steven Strang, who have made invaluable contributions to the society over their years of service, awarding them both the prestigious NPS Medal of Honour. Roger has served two terms as President and has been a key member of the show committee for many years.

He is a much sought after panel judge and has been a key member of the NPS Area XI committee for many years.

Steven was the long serving Treasurer of the NPS, taking the society through difficult times and a major restructuring and onto a solid Steven Strang financial footing.

NPS Presidents Award The NPS President’s Award is given to a nominated young member of the society who has made an outstanding contribution to the care and welfare of ponies or supports the aims of the Society. Roger James, the outgoing president for 2021, chose the honour to be awarded to Jim Hayes, in recognition of outstanding enthusiasm, determination, and achievement in the Equestrian World.

Jim Hayes, photo from First Class Images

Amy’s own Clonfert Melody’s Boy getting ready for his colt inspections

Ben Dewhurst’s The Gangster getting some preseason fitness work in

THE SHOW SEASON IS HERE! Amy Smith

And just like that, the show season is here! How fast does time go? It seems like yesterday it was Christmas and now we are entering spring and the clocks go forward. I hate the dark days and nights.

It has taken a lot of will power this winter to get the ponies fit and there’s been lots of riding in the rain; maybe one day I’ll be blessed with an indoor school!

The ponies have had their pre-season checks. They’ve had their backs done, saddles fitted, teeth done and general routine trim-ups. With their first working hunter qualifier just around the corner, the ponies are all feeling good to go. I’m lucky that Vikki qualifed Nipna James Britannia at the end of last season for the RIHS so I’ve only got the workers to concentrate on. I’m as busy as ever, though, with six ponies in. It’s plenty; I feel I can do them all justice and give them the time they need.

This season, I want to pick my shows a little bit more; I definitely want to do Royal Windsor Horse Show and the Royal Highland as I’d say those two are probably my favourite shows. I’d like to go to the Royal Highland for a few days and make a little holiday of it, too. Lachlan will turn one while we’re up there so we will have to have a little party for him – not that he will know!

I personally think the cost of living and the price of fuel will make people really consider what shows they do this season.

I know it’s certainly making me rethink about how far I will travel and what I can afford for a happy, balanced life.

Talking of my home life, the kids are both in flying form. Myles is just the proudest big brother I could have wished for; he is so good with the baby and has the patience of a saint! On the other hand, Lachlan is

John enjoy a rare stallion, Valerock Ambassador, makes 12 |and TheAmy Native Pony | MarchHighland 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk night out in Glasgow his working hunter debut a winning one

flat out crawling now! Nothing is safe anywhere and even the dogs make a run from him when they see him now!

John is so busy at work with equestrian surfaces; he is either away a majority of the week or if he’s home, he works long hours so I’m extremely lucky that I have good friends and family that help me out with the children whenever they can.

I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps us behind the scenes looking after the children, helping with the ponies and generally helping all round. Also, thank you so much to our sponsors who make life that little bit easier.

I hope everyone has a successful start to the season and remember that the reason we do this in the first place is to have fun, enjoy, and love the ponies we have. Hope to see everyone out and about soon and best of luck.

Lachlan is on the move

Myles is a brilliant big brother

PETAL BLOOMS IN COMEBACK Congratulations to Paul Langrick on making a successful return to the showring.

Paul and Fleur

explained Lesley.

Early last year, Paul suffered an aneurism which meant he needed Paul won the novice mountain lengthy brain surgery. Since and moorland class, and stood then, “he’s quietly got on with second in the open mountain and things with the help of Garry moorland and reserve champion Ross and William Hibbert who at BSPS Area 3A took up the reins last “He’s very on Lesley Cook’s season,” said Lesley. unassuming, is very Fell mare, Hadeshill Paul started his good at his job, and Petal [Fleur] on her comeback by you would never showring debut. competing Lesley’s worry about your “I’ve known Paul for New Forest pony of horse with Paul” around twenty years, the year in dressage although he’s been producing before getting back to riding for much longer, competing and some others on the yard. winning at the highest level, Congratulations to Paul and including at HOYS. He’s very best wishes for the season and unassuming, is very good at his the future from the Native Pony job, and you would never worry team. about your horse with Paul,”

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info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 13

In The Showring Photos supplied by contributors

Tammy Bell-Heather and Greenholme Kate Tammy Bell-Heather and Paul and Jane Steeples’ Fell mare, Greenholme Kate have made a super start to their 2022 season. The pair stood champion open mountain and moorland champion and reserve novice mountain and moorland champion at BSPS Area 5 before going on to take the Silver Medal championship and President’s Cup qualifier at the NCPA Spring Spectacular show.

Izzy Collier and Lisnadrisha Tic Tac Izzy Collier, 13, and Connemara mare, Lisnadrisha Tic Tac [Tickers] are another new combination hitting the workers ring this season. Tickers, 13, is already a familiar face in the mountain and moorland working hunter section and won the RIHS exceeding 143cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony final last year. However, she donned plaits to wow judges at the BSPS Area 5 show, winning the restricted open mixed height working hunter class at BSPS Area 5.

Aimee Devane and Nicholwalls Graceson Joanna Minns’ Fell stallion, Nicholwalls Graceson has made a great start to his ridden career by winning his BSPS novice ridden class at BSPS Area 14 under his producer, Aimee Devane. “Mum bought him last year from an advert online and we are thrilled with him,” said Joanna’s daughter, Olivia Minns, adding, “His sire is former HOYS mountain and moorland working hunter pony champion, Greenholme Emblem, so we are hoping he may jump at some point as well as do the flat classes.”

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Amber Thorpe and Marksman of Mendick Amber Thorpe and Highland stallion, Marksman of Mendick, have made an excellent start to his ridden career. The pair were novice ridden mountain and moorland champion and overall supreme at NPS Area 15 and reserve champion novice mountain and moorland at BSPS Area 16.

Gemma Pallett and Rockingham Jack Gemma and Rockingham Jack [Gorgeous George] have hit the mountain and moorland working hunter scene running. They won both their training stakes and novice mountain and moorland exceeding 143cm working hunter pony classes at BSPS Area 5. Gemma bought the five-yearold Connemara as a two-year-old. “He is loved dearly. I feel like I’ve waited forever for him to be ring ready, but we are finally there,” said Gemma.

Oli Burchell, Ellie Johnson and Rowfantina On My Honour Mandy Burchell Small’s novice mountain and moorland lead rein, Rowfantina On My Honour made her debut a winning one. She was led by Mandy’s son, Oli Burchell, and ridden by Ellie Johnson to win the novice mountain and moorland lead rein class and novice champion at BSPS Area 14. The five-year-old Welsh section A is a granddaughter of Mandy’s prolific Rowfantina Old Fashioned.

Beatrice Bailey Hawkins and Woodfield Jovial Joker Beatrice, 11, and Connemara 143cm working hunter pony Woodfield Jovial Joker [Jack] are a new partnership to keep an eye out for in 2022. Ten-year-old Jack is the reigning RIHS supreme working hunter pony and is a former HOYS champion working hunter pony under Mollie Mae Jeffrey. Jack was bought for Beatrice in December last year. The pair will be aiming to compete in the 143cm mountain and moorland classes for this year, explained Beatrice’s mother, Rachel. (Photo credit: Equipics)

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 15

A life with New Forest Ponies

Beaulieu - about 1962

By Kate Adams My association with New Forest ponies began over 50 years ago with a fleabitten grey, 13.2hh mare called Beaulieu, bought in Hereford Market as a fiveyear-old. The vendor, from Bedworth in Warwickshire, had bought her as a foal from Beaulieu Road. She was an unregistered pony carrying the brand OK.

At an early age she taught me that ponies can be unpredictable; considered a bold pony that would jump anything, Beaulieu and I were once sent off first as trail blazers for a Croome PC hunter trial only to be eliminated at an unassuming hedge, much to everyone’s surprise. It turned out that she knew best as the next pony jumped into a wasp’s nest!

Beaulieu hated pigs and refused to be shod behind. After trying unsuccessfully to fit hind shoes even with the aid of specially built stocks and sedation, she worked all her life without them and was never foot sore.

Beaulieu lived until she was 27 years old and had a long association with the Croome PC. Whilst in our ownership, she carried me, my sister and a friend from the village before being sold to a nearby family where she was ridden by three girls and a boy, all without hind shoes!

Moving onto this pony after a 12hh was a great experience; she taught me so much. She did everything despite being quite temperamental. She was show jumped to J.A., competed in area pony club eventing teams, regularly won bending and trotting gymkhana classes during the spring and summer months, and hunted during the winter. One spring she carried me, very successfully, at PC hunter trials with an ankle in plaster.

Over the years, my father bought many ponies from Beaulieu Road. They were broken-in, ridden on and sold to help finance the best ponies!

The next notable NF pony was a dark bay 14.1hh gelding called Romney, bought by my father as a foal from Beaulieu Road. He was broken-in and used for all PC activities, show jumped to J.A., and hunted by both my sister and

16 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

I. Romney must have been a part bred pony, having been bred on Romney Marsh. I believe that he was out of a New Forest mare by a Thoroughbred stallion.

Romney was so bold and versatile. He competed in the PC eventing teams at both area and championship level. The championships were held at Burghley following the Burghley horse trials. He also won the first ever Junior Foxhunter Championship at Hickstead in 1964 with me. Sadly, there were no photographers at Hickstead, but the class was shown on television. After jumping at Hickstead on the Friday, we travelled overnight to Lincolnshire – no mean feat in 1964 without motorways! – to compete at the PC Eventing Championships the following day. The team finished third with Romney being the highest placed team member. My 13-year-old sister had the ride at Burghley, and I rode a less experienced pony.

Another noteworthy pony was a bay 13.2hh mare called Try Again that was bought as a foal. She was a ‘trying’ pony

who insisted on continually getting her tongue over the bit and then fly buck until she deposited her rider. Eventually, after trying various gadgets, a solution was found, holding the bit forward in her mouth). She was ridden, hunted and used for Pony Club activities by a friend from the village before being sold to Mandy Kent (nee Bakewell) who jumped her to J.A. The ‘gadget’ went with her and was used throughout her life. After being sold on by Mandy she broke a bone in a front leg and the family who owned her thought so much of her they had it plastered and she made a full recovery. One night, she escaped from her stable whilst in plaster, and was witnessed trotting on the road with clip, clop, thud!

A move to horses and my career meant a break in my association with New Forest ponies. In 2001, still working professionally and farming in

Worcestershire, my husband and I took the decision to cease milking. With the availability of a spare cattle yard, the end of my ‘competitive days’ following two hip replacements and the advent of Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), we again visited Beaulieu Road and bought foals to handle, grow on and sell as three-year-olds. Native ponies satisfy the HLS need for ‘mixed stocking’. On the premise that everyone likes to see mares and foals to answer the ‘educational access’ requirement, we acquired some older registered mares and Knightsway Billy Boy to start breeding our own New Forest ponies under the prefix, White Ladies. Sadly, Billy only did one season, and from 2009, we were fortunate to run Rushmoor Huntley with our mares. In 2013 a black gelding

by Huntley made the top price at the September Beaulieu Road sale. Ponies bought as foals and one of the Billy Boy fillies have been successfully shown at

Romney JF trophy - 1964

the spring young stock show that preceded the sale at Beaulieu Road, with Lucky Lane Paddy making headlines in the local paper as the highest priced forest bred pony ever sold at Beaulieu Road.

We continued to run a small herd of seven mares with Huntley until the devastation of the PSSM testing late in 2017. Sadly, he tested positive, n/ p1, his sire being Furzey Lodge Zennica who also tested positive. Billy was delicensed from the 2018 breeding season. Testing of all my young stock and mares was undertaken. 15 tested positive, though thankfully, all the mares thankfully were clear. It was an incredibly hard decision, but together with Huntley, they were very sadly put down.

Romney 1964 trophies

With a PSSM 1 clear herd, we decided to look for a new stallion and Furzey Lodge Neil joined us in 2019 to run with the mares producing five foals in 2020 and three in 2021. He is currently running with four mares: Portmore Puffa, Obershade Sundew, White Ladies Wilma (home bred by

Billy Boy) and White Ladies Hopscotch (homebred by Huntley). White Ladies ponies have, until recently, been grazed on the 500 acre farm, running with cattle and sheep and allowed to grow up before being sold as well handled three-year-olds, ready to break. Several have been successful in various disciplines, for example in-hand and ridden showing, working hunter pony, dressage, show jumping, cross country, pony club and hunting, and many are much loved family ponies.

A possible change in family and farming circumstances last year resulted in the sale of one 2020 foal, and three 2021 foals. We begin 2022 with four rising two-yearolds by Neil and look forward to the arrival of foals in the spring.

If you have a lifelong association with a specific breed, we want to hear from you to tell your story.

Romney - about 1963

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 17

Rosemarkie Highland

ponies

By Sue Jarman

Rosemarkie Highland Ponies was established in 1995. We are situated in the Northern Tablelands area of N.S.W. We enjoy a more moderate climate than many parts of Australia with cooler summers and even the occasional snowfall in winter. The ponies run in fairly natural surroundings, with forested areas and creeks and plenty of room to roam. The climate and the terrain definitely suits the ponies, and this combined with their natural hardiness means we have very few health problems.

In 1995 we were lucky enough to acquire half a dozen broodmares who were all in foal and kindly all produced fillies! They carried wonderful bloodlines, quite a few being daughters of a mare, imported in utero, who was by a Scottish stallion, Glenaylmer.

This was the nucleus of the stud and it was a wonderful foundation. We needed a stallion, and this proved to be trickier.

We finally were able to purchase a magnificent pony, Barrymoor Jagirdar, bred by two imported ponies, Trooper MacPherson X Gipsy Melody of Turin Hill. He was the cornerstone of our breeding program for quite a few years. He only died a year ago at the grand old age of 34. He was such a gentleman and is sorely missed. Four other stallions joined the ranks: Barrymoor MacGregor, Eaton Park Monty, Rosemarkie Archer and 3 years ago we imported a magnificent silver mouse dun stallion from Scotland, Gillean of Liosmor, aka Silver. Silver is producing standout foals, including Wildfox, a colt we are keeping as a future sire.

One obscure fact was unearthed by a fellow highland pony breeder, Amy Young. Most highland breeders in Australia would know of Hyskeer, a highland pony stallion that was imported to Australia way back in 1913. He did well at major shows and bred quite a lot of ponies, but sadly there were no purebred highland mares in the country at that time. It always seemed like such a lost opportunity. But it turns out that Silver is a 9th generation descendant of Hyskeer! Hyskeer had sired a few ponies back in Scotland before he came out to Australia. I’m not sure who else explores nine generations back in a pony’s pedigree but I’m very glad Amy did! It is just nice to know that some of Hyskeer’s blood has returned.

Our stud consists of four stallions, twenty broodmares and 18 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

youngstock. We breed from about half a dozen mares a year.

Over the last 25 years, we have tried to gather every line available in this country and with the combination of a good selection of lovely old bloodlines from the early ponies bred here, two of Scott McGregor’s imported mares and foals from all of his other imports, and more recently our own imported stallion, we feel confident we have plenty to go on with.

What began in 1995, with the purchase of Dougal, a bombproof gelding for our visitors to ride, quickly evolved into a breeding program where we have managed to pool the widest selection of bloodlines available in Australia. Currently, with the importation of genetics becoming easier, we feel confident that we can do our part to preserve and enhance this incredible breed for future generations in this country.

We not only breed these ponies, we thoroughly enjoy working with them. For the three generations of family involved with Rosemarkie, this means lots of trekking, packing and competing at any show within our radius. Most recently, one of the youngest members of the team, my 12-year-old granddaughter, Piper, has started boarding at Scots College accompanied by Rosemarkie Narnia. It’s exciting to think just how far this pair will go with access to top level coaches and the support of the Scots Equestrian team which has been excelling at interschool equestrian events at a national level.

Quite apart from our purebred breeding program, my daughter and her partner, who breed and train Australian Stockhorses, have discovered that crossing with Highlands makes an incredibly versatile mount for just about any discipline. There seems to be a growing market for these partbred ponies with a natural cow sense and added agility. But for me, I’ll stick to my purebreds; I’ll leave the performance horses for younger generations.

Although I discovered Highland ponies quite by accident over 25 years ago, I will be forever grateful for the joy they have brought to mine and my family’s life and hopefully to the lives of the many wonderful people who have bought ponies from us. You never stop thinking of them as your babies and of course, always follow with great interest, their milestones and achievements.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 19

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20 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

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info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 21

FOALING: What Can Go Wrong?

By Anna Wilkinson BSc (Hons) BVetMed MRCVS

Equine vet, Anna Wilkinson, talks us through some unusual and potentially dangerous foaling scenarios so that we know what to look out for. Anna graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in London and has since worked in equine practice in Cornwall and Monmouthshire. She is currently based at Abbey Equine Clinic where she enjoys all aspects of practice work however has a particular interest in stud and neonatal medicine.

Common Emergencies During Foaling The foaling period is a critical time for the newborn foal, as any complication or decisions that may follow can have a significant impact on the desired outcome of a strong, healthy foal. As equine vets, we are lucky that most of our client’s foalings will occur without any major form of intervention. However, there are rare occasions when things don’t go quite to plan. It is vital that all involved are aware of the ‘normal’ stages of foaling and can spot any complications as early as possible.

Red Bag Delivery

Dystocia (A ‘difficult’ birth) When it comes to foaling, time is of the essence and the foal should generally be out within 20 minutes of the waters breaking as the mare enters Stage II of foaling. The foal will normally present with its front feet first followed by the head resting on top. If you find that the foaling does not appear to be progressing as expected due to a dystocia (difficult birth), it is important to call your vet immediately. Most commonly, this is due to an incorrect position of the foal within the birth canal, but other causes may include foal limb contraction or an issue with the mare herself, such as disease or exhaustion leading to uterine inertia. Hopefully twins will have been ruled out during the initial pregnancy scans and very rarely is the size of the foal the issue. The vet will attempt to reposition the foal however, it is a good idea to have transport hooked up and ready to go prior to the due date in case the mare needs to be referred to the nearest hospital for delivery under general anaesthetic.

During a normal foaling the foal will be delivered through a clear transparent amniotic sac which breaks to allow the foal to breathe.

The placenta then follows post foaling. Sometimes, the placenta prematurely separates from the uterus with the foal being born inside and unable to break through. This is commonly known as a ‘red bag delivery’. Whilst there are no real risks to the mare in this situation, it is a true emergency for the foal. With the placenta no longer attached to the uterus, the foal’s oxygen source is cut off, increasing the risk of hypoxic (lack of oxygen) injury and a dead foal. A thick red velvety bag will be the first thing to be seen hanging from the vulva which will need to be broken immediately. Hopefully you will have a well-stocked foaling kit to hand containing scissors, as you will need to make an initial cut in the placenta as it will be too thick to tear with your hands. Once cut, you should be able to tear through further, grabbing the foals’ feet and nose within the clear sac to gently deliver the foal. It is important to note that even with prompt identification of a red bag and a live foal, close monitoring and a vet check is essential to ensure they are displaying normal behaviours. Why this occurs is unfortunately unknown in many cases, but possible risk factors include placentitis (infection of the placenta), dystocia, toxicity or stress to the foal. Having a red bag delivery does not also predispose the mare to future red bags.

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Retained Placenta After the foal has been safely delivered, the placenta should be passed shortly after. If you do not see the placenta within three hours, it is particularly important to call your vet. A retained placenta can have profound consequences due to a build-up of bacteria and toxins which may pass into the mare’s bloodstream. This may be life-threatening causing metritis, sepsis and toxic laminitis and can be particularly common in large breed horses. The vet will attempt to manually remove the placenta by gentle traction and may need to fill the uterus with fluid to aid this. Depending on the mare’s temperament, she may need to be sedated. Oxytocin will be given to your mare to stimulate uterine contractions to help with the removal and depending on each case, the mare may be washed out with a sterile solution afterwards and covered with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. If the placenta has been passed normally, it is also always a good idea to keep this for the vet to check that it is entire.

Failure of Passive Transfer As the foal is born with no immunity it is vital that the foal receives the mare’s ‘first milk’ known as colostrum, which is rich in antibodies. The foal’s ability to absorb these antibodies through the small intestine is most efficient at approximately 6-8 hours of age. Thereafter, it rapidly declines and by 24 hours, they can no longer be absorbed. We can easily check that the foal has consumed sufficient colostrum with the IgG test by taking a blood sample when the foal is at least 12-18 hours old.

If failure of passive transfer has occurred, the foal may need a plasma transfusion to protect its naïve immune system from sepsis and other life threatening diseases. Common situations in which failure of passive transfer may occur include mare dripping milk prior to foaling, low quality colostrum, the mare not allowing the foal to nurse, and a foal’s inability to nurse.

What Next?

The foal is hopefully out after a successful foaling with no complications, up on its feet within the first hour and nursing within two hours to receive the mare’s colostrum. But what happens if things aren’t quite right?

Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome Your foal appears to be taking a prolonged time to stand and nurse unassisted, is unable to find or latch on to the mare’s teat and seems very sleepy often forgetting to lie down. These behaviours are not normal, and It is vital for the foal’s survival that they are recognised early on as some of the clinical signs of Neonatal Maladjustment syndrome aka ‘dummy foals’. For years it has been attributed mainly to hypoxic injury however a newer thought is the cause from high levels of circulating neurosteroids preventing the foal from becoming fully conscious at birth. During pregnancy this high neurosteroid production in the bloodstream keeps the foal sedated and inactive inside the mare’s uterus. As the foal is squeezed through the birth canal at foaling, it is thought to signal the body to turn off these high levels, resulting in a normal healthy strong foal. Failure of this may result in a weak uncoordinated foal

with the lack of ability to suck or nurse normally, commonly seen after rapid foaling times or caesareans. Clinical signs may occur immediately or up to 72 hours post foaling, with neurological signs such as circling, head tilts and seizures seen in the later stages. A lack of suck reflex will no doubt lead to dehydration and a failure of passive transfer increases the risk of sepsis to the foal.

The Madigan foal squeeze is a procedure in which thoracic pressure is applied to the foal’s chest via soft ropes to mimic the normal birthing process. Once pressure is applied to the ropes the foal enters a nonpainful sleep/trancelike state and remains in this position for 20minutes until pressure is released. The hope is for a much more coordinated foal with a better ability to nurse from the mare once fully awake.

Most sensible mares are not distressed by this procedure, but some may need sedating to ensure safety to all those around whilst handling the foal. It is important to note that the Madigan squeeze will not be

successful in those foals that have suffered hypoxic injury but as the risks to the foal are minimal, it can still be attempted.

Alongside this technique, the main treatment aims are to provide nutrition to the foal, ensure adequate hydration, prevent or treat sepsis, and encourage maternal bonding. Each case will differ so it’s important to seek veterinary advice in all instances. The rope technique should not be performed on any foal that may have sustained rib fractures at foaling as well as caution taken with bottle feeding due to the high risk of aspiration pneumonia with a poor suck reflex. The foal may need to be hospitalised, especially if intravenous fluids and 24/7 nursing care is required.

Survival rates can range widely but have been reported to be as high as 90% in those cases that are caught early, respond well to the Madigan squeeze and are without significant hypoxic injury. For those foals that survive the return to full athletic function in the future is excellent.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 23

JANINE The Native Pony Enthusiast

Self-confessed native obsessive, Janine Paterson, gives us the lowdown on what she’s been up to over the last few weeks.

Wow! This has come around quickly!

Suddenly, it’s March and the horsey world is really waking up! I did feel rather mean bathing Teddy for NPS Area 7 at Bury Farm at the start of February; there’s no fancy hot horse shower here...but I gave him a good work out around the fields, cantering and jumping old hunt jumps – perfect preparation for a RIHS working hunter pony class – to warm him up before the icy blast of the hose! He didn’t seem to mind and soon dried off in his fleece pyjamas.

Area 7 was actually the very first show we took him to as a novice sevenyear-old, seven years ago! He hadn’t seen a worker fence since HOYS 2019, but it was great to be back, and Teddy was extremely happy to be out doing workers. He performed a super clear around a very clever

Lisa Kelly RIHS course in a relatively small space. He came second and then took the championship which really was incredible! A very happy day out and smiles all round!

Teddy’s owner, Sharon Goodman, is so supportive and has really stood by me through a difficult eighteen months of injuries, ailments and my move to Dorset. Great owners are like gold dust, and I really value and appreciate having her and her super ponies to work with.

Work has really ramped up for Roo in preparation for Badminton. I’ve picked my three runs to hopefully have him at his peak for the big day. Roo can be quite a handful at his first couple of events so I’ve had to consider that plus ground conditions when planning his campaign, because I can’t afford to be entered somewhere that doesn’t run due to the wet. So, I’ve delayed cracking on until the start of April, missing a possible earlier run in favour of – hopefully – drier conditions.

I’m very lucky at my new base: the hacking is incredible.

Roo has been doing a couple of rides a week lasting over two hours. Because there are lots of hills and I can still find good enough going for canter work, I’m pleased with his fitness at this point. Hopefully, my plan over the next two months will have him ready for the big day!!

Dex has been getting fitter after his winter holiday, he was all cleaned up ready for showjumping on Sunday with Teddy and Roo...but Bessie (the lorry) thought it was a bit too cold and wouldn’t start. The boys were a bit confused about their ‘loading practice’ but revelled in getting as filthy as possible again when I turned them out. True natives! Dex will be aimed at a NPS show with workers at the end of the month now instead.

Sonic has been on the back burner while I really concentrate on the others, but he is a pleasure to hack so he is happy doing that whenever I have time for the moment. I’ll get a plan together for him after Badminton.

I had a lovely rising four-year-old New Forest gelding in to start, and what a well-educated baby he was, making my job very easy. He’s now home with his owner, Liz Wheeler, having a little holiday after all he learnt with me.

When I’m starting ponies, I really concentrate on getting them out hacking, solo. Until we can walk, trot and canter out on a ride, I don’t attempt going in the school. It’s been a method I’ve used for years and I find the ponies I start are really forward thinking as a result. There are so many different ways of doing things with horses, but for me, early learning should be really fun and easy for them. They all mature at different speeds and it’s important to work them accordingly, to have individual goals, and not expect them to perform like another similarly aged pony.

Finally, what a lovely piece in the Horse & Hound about Willoway Free Spirit and Laura Avery, the dream team that prove yet again how mighty these natives are! I love watching Laura and Spirit in action. I don’t think anyone else would get a tune out of him like Laura does; they know each other inside and out and it’s amazing to see a pony really hitting his prime in his later teens. It’s testament to Laura’s patience and perseverance and her training which is obviously for longevity. Roo has the same dam (Mercury Amy) as Spirit, but I’ve told him, “No pressure at Badminton,” obviously!

Just to get there is a dream come true!

- Janine

24 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Ponies and Progeny in the Peaks

Hannah and George at HOYS

Hannah Turnock and her mother, Sarah Lee, run a small stud of Welsh section As and Cs under the Settvalley prefix in the Derbyshire peaks. We caught up with Hannah to hear more about the stud and what it’s like juggling work with ponies as a new mum to her son, Edward.

NP: Let’s start from the start. Where does the interest in the ponies come from?

HT: I grew up in Hayfield, in the Peak District. My mum, Sarah Lee, was horsey, so from a young age I didn’t know any different. She had my first pony, a piebald Shetland called Humbug, lined up for me before I was even born. We were a pony club family, and ran a trekking centre at the weekends.

NP: And what about your interest in the Welsh breeds specifically?

HT: In the late 90’s, Mum purchased Trewalchmai Sion Ap Shan, a yearling section C colt, from a local dealer. She had driven past him in the field on her way to work and decided to make the man an offer. He still had his sale number glued to his bum when he arrived home. He was chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail and I was obsessed with him. I was thirteen by the

time I was able to ride him. He really taught me a lot; he was so cheeky! I didn’t do the lead rein or first ridden circuit, so when I began showing with him, I was often in amongst the adults. I don’t have memories of them being particularly friendly towards me, so I really make an effort with fellow competitors because it’s nice to be nice!

satisfying than seeing a foal be born, and then being able to follow their careers into adulthood. I am very proud to be able to say that I know where all my Settvalley babies are and what they are up to. We like to keep our foals until they are three-year-olds to try to ensure that when they do fly the nest, they find really suitable homes.

NP: Who or what have been your greatest influences?

NP: As well as breeding, you have a mixture of your own ponies and clients’ ponies to show? How do you think you strike a balance between the two?

HT: In 2009, I spent a few months as a working pupil for Nicole Musson of the Corstan stud. My time spent there is what really sparked my interest in the higher levels of showing. I won my first Welsh Pony and Cob Society bronze medal with one of Nicole’s three-year-old fillies and I was hooked.

I also worked for local producer, Mandy Jackson, for a short time. Mandy specialises in native ponies and I still have lessons with her now. She really knows how to get the best out of a pony.

NP: What inspires you from a breeding perspective?

HT: Our first foal, Settvalley St George, was born in 2010. We only have one or two foals born per year, but I absolutely love breeding. For me, there is nothing more

HT: My home-bred youngsters are produced and shown in-hand be team Hampson at the Trindod stud and I often have a ridden pony in my stables for them in return. The ponies are very much a hobby for my mum and I as we both work full time, so we never take more than three ponies to a show and will often run a novice and an open pony to avoid rushing around and clashing too much. It’s supposed to be fun and it’s not fun if we are both rushing and stressed, although it does happen!

NP: You combine in-hand with ridden showing…

HT: I actually prefer in-hand showing, but it’s an art-form and far more difficult to get right than it looks. Plus, I can’t run…

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 25

Billy NP: How important is it do you think that youngsters get out to shows before they’re ridden?

HT: For me, it is very important that youngsters are able to see a bit of the world before they start a ridden career. Showgrounds can be scary, so if youngsters can be exposed to them before they’re expected to trot and canter round sensibly, hopefully it will be less worrying.

NP: Tell us what a routine looks like for a pony on your yard? What might they do in a typical week?

HT: This depends on the pony and what stage of their education they are at. We don’t have a ménage at home so there is a LOT of long-reining to be done round the fields. If I am on my own with a youngster, I will opt to long-rein rather than ride, just because you can’t be too safe. We also school in the fields and have plenty of hacking out. Through the winter months we hire a ménage once a week.

NP: Talk us through your greatest showing memories or achievements?

What about low points? Has it ever all gone wrong at a show?

HT: Qualifying for HOYS is such a great achievement and one I will never take for granted. I don’t think you can ever beat the feeling of qualifying for the first time, which for me was at the Royal Highland Show with my late Welsh section A gelding, Caerhosyn Ennillwr. I have been fortunate enough to qualify at the Royal Highland Show twice, the second time on board home-bred Settvalley The Gladiator. Another home bred

pony, Settvalley The Avenger, also won our first WPCS silver medal at the Royal Highland Show.

I also felt a real sense of achievement throughout 2021 with the results I had with Robert Elliot’s Menai George. He is a sensitive soul and it’s no secret that he was quite difficult to begin with. So to win the HOYS class at the Royal Cheshire Show will always be one of my personal favourite moments.

Home-bred section C, Settvalley the Titan, also won the 133cm working hunter pony

26 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

class at the RIHS for his owner, Aimee Rogers. Between them, they had amassed an incredible 17 seconds in HOYS and RIHS qualifiers before finally qualifying, making it extra special.

It wasn’t a moment for myself as a rider or breeder, but I was also super-proud of my mum for standing reserve in the senior riders class at the 2021 NPS summer championships with Menai George. Mum hadn’t ridden for over three years due to having surgery on her knee, and hadn’t been in the ring for nearly 30! I saw Sara Hird promoting the class on Facebook and

Cracker gives Hannah a congratulatory kiss on her wedding day!

HT: In recent years, I’ve sadly lost two lovey ponies in tragic circumstances. We did everything we could for both, but if I could turn back time knowing what I know now, I would do things differently.

NP: If you could say anything to yourself when you started showing, what would it be?

HT: As a relative latecomer to showing, I always feel a bit of ‘imposter syndrome’.

But I’d tell myself to keep going, and that I would meet the best bunch of friends imaginable, which certainly would have made me feel better when I was struggling with school.

NP: What does the future hold?

HT: I have recently begun my judging journey and now sit on the NCPA and BSPS heritage panels, so I would like to progress with that. Also, being as successful as we can be with the ponies, enjoying the shows and seeing our great friends weekin, week-out. My big dream, of course, would be a win at the Royal Welsh show or at HOYS, but I’ll take what I can get!

Humbug

asked Mum if she fancied it, but I think she thought I was joking! I was especially proud when watching them in the evening performance.

I don’t think we’ve had any terrible days showing, although there have been days when I’ve thought to myself, ‘I wish I’d stayed in bed this morning’!

NP: Who is your horse-of-a-lifetime and why?

HT: Caerhosyn Ennillwr – Cracker – was my best friend, the first pony I qualified for HOYS, and the first pony I tackled HOYS and RIHS working hunter pony tracks with. He was so much fun and seemed to do everything with a smile on his face.

I also owe a lot to Settvalley The Gladiator [Billy]. He is a home-bred pony who has won at the Royal Welsh, the Royal Highland Show and has taken me to HOYS three times, which is no small achievement for a tiny stud such as ours.

NP: Your husband, Jamie, keeps awardwinning pedigree Blonde cattle, does he influence your work with the ponies?

HT: We both take great pride in our animals, and are both quietly competitive, so we both want to be the best that we can be. [She giggles and adds, laughing:] Although, Jamie is very business minded and can’t understand why we don’t sell more ponies or make any money from them!

NP: As a new mum, how have you found juggling the ponies with motherhood?

HT: I am fortunate to have the most fantastic support network, both with the ponies and with childcare, so I haven’t really had to slow down. Eddie, my son, is a dream; he’s the light of my life. He comes to do the ponies with me almost everyday.

Although, it is more of a challenge now he’s walking and into everything!

NP: Is Eddie interested in the ponies?

HT: He absolutely loves all the animals at the farm: the ponies, the cows and the cats.

The ponies put up with a lot as he wheels his little car straight into their stables and almost their front legs! They are so good with him. I think he has a soft spot for George, though as he holds his arms up to sit on him daily! If he wants to ride in the future, I’m sure there will be a pony around for him, but if he doesn’t, I will get to keep the ponies for myself!

Hannah and Dukeshill Dinozzo

NP: How have you seen the industry changing?

HT: I struggle with social media. Like any competitive sport, showing should be taken seriously. But some take it too far and it often brings out the worst in them on social media, which I find sad. I know there has been some debate about marks recently. I personally like the marks system when it is used correctly, and any system can only work if the person using it does so with integrity. I don’t know what the answer is, but I hope for 2022 people remember just to be kind and enjoy their horses and ponies, win or lose.

Hannah and Settvalley the Mistress

NP: Have you had to learn any horsey related lessons the hard way?

Eddie and Hannah at HOYS

Flying the Flag

Emma Crawford and Heavenly Gabrielle (Snowpony Mochastone x Talywern Ambrosia)

Nine-year-old Emma Crawford’s love of horses and ponies seems almost inevitable. Her father, David, grew up in his native Australia “doing everything on horseback; you name it, he’s done it,” explained Emma’s mother, Kirsten Crawford.

David continues to compete and also takes care of the training on their family farm, Promise Hill Farm. Kirsten is also an accomplished horsewoman herself. She said: “I have been riding hunters, jumpers and ‘western’ for 29 years”. Not to be left out, Emma’s older brother, Jack, 12, also rides and successfully competes over fences.

Over the years, the family have had several

Welsh ponies. They first leased Welsh section A, Heavenly Gabrielle [Gabby] through a friend when Emma was just two years old. Two years later, they made the decision to buy her. Before joining the Crawford family, Gabby had turned a hoof to a number of disciplines such as eventing, showjumping, pony hunters, showing and trail riding.

Gabby and Emma first started competing together when she was just three years old in ground

poles and by the time Emma was six, they were consistently out competing over 65cm courses.

The Crawfords had leased Gabby out for a year to teach another child to ride, but she was injured and returned to the family. “She came back home during the COVID lockdown, and we spent a year rehabilitating her from her injury; at that time, Emma decided that she would never show Gabby again,” said Kristen.

However, a video from Kirsten’s friend turned Emma and Gabby’s path in a different direction.

The video was of Kirsten’s friend’s daughter being led around whilst stood on her pony. This sparked Emma’s initial interest in vaulting or single Roman riding. Kirsten explained: “Emma said that she could do it by herself and it escalated from there. She taught herself how to get up and down at the trot and canter with a little help from a friend in Australia who teaches trick-riding. She got really good really quickly. Gabby is a great partner, and they make a great team.”

Since then, they have gone from strength to strength, even adding jumping in fancy dress costumes to their repertoire. Emma is intent on becoming a great trick rider whilst continuing to show her other rides: small pony hunter, Willie, medium pony hunter, Smarty Pants, TB mare, Danari and new trick-riding pony, Pal. However, it’s Emma and Gabby’s turns carrying the American flag to open equestrian competitions that give the family the greatest sense of pride. “We’re true patriots and we are so proud to have Emma carry our country’s colours during the National Anthem. We’re working on getting her to more venues to carry the flag and are thinking of letting her add a jump in while carrying it,” said Kirsten.

“Emma also wants to learn more tricks and hopes to carry the flag at bigger venues”.

From what we’ve seen of Emma and Gabby, there’s no doubt that Emma’s got an exciting future ahead in the equestrian world. “Emma is constantly keeping us on our toes; if you tell her she can’t do something, she always finds a way”. Although Emma herself is quick to credit Gabby for her successes. “I love Gabby more than anything else in the world; she is my best friend and without her, none of this would be possible,” said Emma.

The Nitty Gritty NP: Favourite Food?

Emma: Watermelon

is yucky?

Emma: Schoolwork

NP: Favourite colour?

Emma: Purple

NP: Favourite superhero?

Emma: Wonder Woman

Favourite TV show?

Emma: Heartland

NP: What do you want to be when you’re older?

Emma: A trick rider and a hunter jumper trainer.

NP: Something you think

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 29

Stephanie Mansfield’s Cadlanvalley Masterclass, ridden by Libby Grota

Mid Wales

Winter Show Celaeron Equestrian Centre, Aberaeron March 5th 2022 Report Hannah Parr, photos by Storm Development

Normality has resumed! How amazing it was to be hosting the Mid Wales Winter Show once again after the trials and tribulations that COVID 19 threw at us all over the last two years. Although a fresh spring morning, the sun was shining over Cardigan Bay to welcome competitors from far and wide.

The morning session saw the introduction of the first UKP&H RIHS Young Rider and Amateur classes hosted by the Mid Wales Winter Show. They were judged throughout by Julie Templeton and the reception they received was fabulous. We kicked off with the eight-strong UKP&H RIHS young riders small breeds class.

After some tough deliberation, the first ticket of the day was awarded to Tammy Heathcote’s Uphill Freddie Fox piloted by her son, Harry Heathcote and produced by Sarah Challinor. Freddie was purchased unseen in 2017 for Harry’s older sister, Chloe, and has had a glittering career with

the Heathcotes, including mountain and moorland mini champion at the RIHS in 2018. Harry took over the reins when Chloe was out of class and last year saw the pair collect the NPS Supreme Presidents Award and the BSPS Mini Supreme title.

Chloe made Sarah and the Heathcotes’ trip extra worthwhile by taking the UKP&H RIHS young riders large breeds qualification on her striking Connemara, Eastlands Dunknowe [Teddy]. “I’d asked Sarah to look for a bigger version of Freddie in a Connemara. It took a year to find Teddy, but Chloe loves him. Freddie was a hard act to follow but so far, the partnership is blossoming,” said Tammy.

Locally bred Welsh section B, Cadlanvalley Total Elation, picked up his Intermediate RIHS M&M ticket with breeders Howell and Yvonne Davies making the short trip up the coast to watch. He was ridden by their granddaughter, Libby Grota. The five-year-old showed wisdom beyond his

30 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

years following a light year of competing last year due to the pandemic restricting outings. Produced entirely at home by 17-year-old Libby and her mother, Hayley Grota, the striking palomino is by the late, great Russetwood Elation who sired HOYS Champion and RIHS Intermediate Champion Cadlanvalley Buzby. It would seem Total Elation is already following in his famous brother’s footsteps.

The UKP&H RIHS Amateur ticket went to Sophia Allen riding her Welsh Cob Thistledown George Gently. It was an early start from Caerphilly for the pair, but the journey home flew as the sun and an RIHS ticket joined them back down the M4.

With an afternoon full of novice and open mountain and moorland classes, the carpark was brimming. John James of the Sianwood Stud took over judging.

With most novice ponies not having an

2022 Showing Classics Supreme title opportunity to get out and about over the last two years, these classes were extremely under supreme judge Alex Williams of the well supported. Clinching the NPS pure Ringside stud.

The novice mini mountain and moorland novice class was another Cadlanvalley bred section saw new combinations taking Welsh section B, Cadlanvalley Masterclass to the ring for the first time. Having [Max]. Now owned by Steph Mansfield of the Janpete Stud, the four-year-old already taken the show hunter pony/ show stallion is back at Cadlanvalley on lease pony mini championship, Emily Locke’s winter project, to Libby Grota. Libby Trevadlock King backed the son of Jo Sheil and her own Tynyfach Valley King Arthur, came former HOYS and RIHS champion, back into the ring Cadlanvalley to try his hand Buzby, over the at the mountain winter months. and moorlands.

The pair have He performed attended clinics beautifully to take and dressage the title for his competitions to young jockey, led build confidence

by Emily’s mother before venturing Sarah Whitfield. out to his first Thistledown Van show this der Vaart thought weekend. “He has he’d try his hand been an absolute at competing pleasure from start without a leader to finish. He has quite a bit of confidence and the five times HOYS winner did which is needed when performing in the not disappoint. Ably ridden by Lilly ring. We are so proud of Libby and the Richardson, the 14-year-old recordwork she has put into these baby ponies. breaking Welsh section A pinged his way She is a perfectionist at home and this to victory producing a lovely show for shines through when the ponies enter the his young jockey. The pair continued ring,” said Hayley. Max and Libby went their successes by taking the novice mini on to take the pure novice championship mountain and moorland championship and later in the day, pipped the open and sash. Lilly’s younger sister, Penny, took novice championships by claiming the the ride to go open mini mountain and Tammy Heathcote’s Uphill Freddie Fox and Harry Heathcote

moorland champion and the mini supreme title led by dad, Mark.

The afternoon large breeds classes were so well supported that both pure novice and novice classes had to be split due to high numbers. Haighmoor Horace ridden by his owner, Michelle Rowles Lloyd took the large breeds novice class. The pair had managed to get out a little last year but wanted to begin early this year to get as much experience as possible before the bigger shows start. Showing his wise head on young shoulders, the son of Geler Sparc, went on to take the novice tricolour before standing overall reserve supreme at the end of the day. Section D, Tynyfach Valley King looked after his rider, Jo Sheil, to take the hotly contested pure novice large breeds class. Having not been sure how he would cope, Jo had come along for the experience and was thrilled to take home not only a win but also reserve champion in the pure novice and then going on to win and go champion open mountain and moorland later in the afternoon.

All in all, quality prevailed and the Mid Wales Winter Show was a huge success due to a combination of competitor numbers, quality entries and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. It was clear to see that everyone was keen and relieved to be out competing again. Onwards now with the preparation for the Mid Wales Summer Show where we once again welcome the HOYS Welsh breed qualifiers back to Ceredigion for the second year running. See you all in August.

Tammy Heathcote’s Eastlands Dunknowe ridden by Chloe Heathcote

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 31

RUTH ON THE HOOF An Important Message Words and photos by Ruth Chamberlain

32Eriskay | The Native Marchby2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk pony - Pony illness |caused feeding and drawn to the road

Conservation Exmoor pony gathering in car park due to feeding

This issue, I am not going to talk about an adventure I have recently had, but instead I will address an issue I am extremely passionate about: people feeding horses without permission from the owner.

This issue seems to have become more prevalent during lockdown, and we saw many tragic stories in the media of ponies losing their lives due to being fed by people. These people may have meant well or thought that that it’s ok to feed an apple, for example, but they don’t realise horses can have so many dietary restrictions, not to mention physical problems like choke.

This issue arises from a lack of awareness in the general population, and perhaps even amongst horse owners. It is exacerbated by what people pick-up from the media or

horse owners, and statements such as, “my friend has horses and they say it’s fine to feed them apples,” or, “I saw them feeding ponies a carrot on TV and they said it was a good snack,” are frequently repeated. However, such sweeping statements don’t reflect the bigger picture. Like humans, horses can have dietary requirements, and these are not visual. For example, a carrot may be fine to give to most horses, but not all horses can safely chew and swallow them, but you cannot tell just by looking at them. Also, you do not know how many carrots a horse had that day. If ten people walked by a horse every day and fed it a carrot thinking they were the only one treating it, the horse could become quite poorly, especially free-roaming horses that have a very natural diet due to them grazing in open spaces such as National Parks.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 33 Carneddau pony - used to a completely natural diet and at increased risk of issues from food

Free-roaming ponies are often believed to be wild, but as we all know, there are no truly wild ponies in the UK. Visitors to areas such as the Lake District or Dartmoor will frequently bring treats for ponies without realising the damage they could be doing.

The ponies learn to approach people which can lead to mobbing and squabbling. It can also lead to ponies just standing on the road where they are extremely vulnerable to traffic. In cases concerning conservation grazing, it means that the ponies will frequent the areas the public access, churning up the sensitive ground and ignoring the far reaches of their grazing area.

It is wonderful that people can see and engage with these ponies in open spaces and experience the environment that gives these breeds their unique characteristics. But this increased desire to connect with them through feeding is a huge problem.

So many owners are uniting online to spread the message and make the dangers of feeding horses more widely known to the public. One way to do this is to erect signs where ponies can be found. This is easy to do on private land, but where ponies graze on common land it is not quite so simple!

Fell pony often fed food from visitor picnics

Conservation Exmoor pony often drawn away |from important grazing areas in anticipation of food 34 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue info@showingworldonline.co.uk

When I got home from my trip through the Outer Hebrides and the Highlands last October, I received word from the Lake District National Park that some pony signs were ready to collect. LDNP agreed to make these signs that could be erected on commons where ponies grazed, asking visitors not to feed ponies. I collected the signs and met the owner of one of the herds and we spent the afternoon finding suitable locations to erect the signs where they wouldn’t impact the landscape but could be read by visitors. The ponies didn’t look too impressed as the signs went up, but it was for their own good! We know it won’t stop all the visitors feeding them, but it may stop some and help a few ponies stay healthy.

Highland ponies often fed treats on popular walks

Erecting signs in the Lake District

Please help spread the word about the dangers of feeding horses without permission. Let your friends know that it’s ok to feed you horse, but they will need to ask about other horses. If you are experiencing issues with people feeding your horses, I recommend you check out the ‘Stop Feeding Our Horses’ campaign.

The photos accompanying this article are all of ponies who have been fed by visitors and endangered in some way by it, whether through illness or simply by standing on a road susceptible to being involved in a vehicular accident. These beautiful animals are extremely hardy in their natural environment with natural foods, but they can be so fragile when it comes to feeding them the wrong kinds of foods.

Conservation grazing Exmoor pony, fed dangerous amounts of apples during lockdown

V

intage

treasure

When Anna Stevens started breeding miniature Shetlands more than half a century ago, little did she realise the impact that the breed would have on her and her family. She chose Catchpool as her prefix/ suffix and continues to use it today for the standard Shetlands, but has decided that Catchpuddle is better suited to the miniatures, puddle being a little pool.

Her involvement in the Shetland breed has seen Anna being elected as a council member for sixteen years and then being nominated and elected as President of the Shetland Pony Studbook Society. Her aim has always been to produce Shetlands that have excellent temperaments and that are capable of competing as performance ponies.

When Anna’s three children were small, they all rode the miniatures and competed on them. Lara, the youngest retained her interest in the ponies and was soon competing off the lead rein, successful in the show ring and also the Shetland Grand National.

This further drove Anna’s desire to breed performance ponies and Vandal of Catchpool, measuring in at just 36 inches, still holds the record for the smallest Shetland to qualify for the Shetland Grand National.

Brinleyview Camanchee Pearce, was tracked down and she said the dam of the black colt was in foal again to the same stallion. Arrangements were made for Mrs Pearce to contact Anna when the mare foaled the following year. It was exciting news when she rang to say the mare had foaled another colt, but this one was skewbald! Anna deemed this not a problem, and when weaned, “Brinleyview Camanchee” (Chee) made his way to Wales to join the Catchpool Stud.

Chee settled in very well and it soon became apparent that he was destined for the show ring; his temperament was second to none which made him a joy to have around. His in hand successes were numerous with wins and championships at the Three Counties, Royal Welsh, Newbury and Shetland Breed Show. When the time came to use him at stud he was able to continue being shown without it affecting his placid temperament. His early stock were promising but Anna and Lara both felt his forte lay in a career under saddle.

He really came into his own under saddle, ridden primarily by

By Robert Parker Jones

The stud is based on the Gower Peninsular in Wales and is now a joint venture with both Anna and Lara (Joslin) being senior judges for both ridden and in hand classes for the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society.

As happens in all studs, there comes a time when the infusion of fresh blood into the breeding programme becomes necessary. With a long list of requirements, the search was on for new blood, with temperament and a performance pedigree at the top of the list. The Shetland sales are always an excellent place to start as breeders offer their best stock, which have always commanded high prices over the years. On a visit to the sale at Leominster in 2002, Anna spotted a very nice black colt foal that had similar bloodlines to the ponies Lara had ridden and raced.

Unfortunately, the colt was already sold. His breeder, Mrs Brinleyview Camanchee ridden by Gemma Pallett

Gemma Pallett and produced predominantly by Debbie Barr. He was Best of Breed at Olympia on five separate occasions, enabling Gemma to become the recipient of the prestigious “Heniarth“ trophy for the highest place junior rider at the show.

Chee made many visits to HOYS, usually figuring in the top ten placings. His best result was a second place in the Dartmoor, Exmoor and Shetland class. Not content with competing as a native pony, the decision was made to try to qualify Chee as a coloured pony in the Coloured Horse and Pony Society classes. He succeeded in qualifying and he performed beautifully in the finals.

At the RIHS in 2014, he won the open Dartmoor, Exmoor and Shetland ridden class, a victory that was to set a record for a Shetland pony. This win was to herald numerous victories at this most prestigious event.

The Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society Show held at Ardingly gave Chee and Gemma a boost when they were declared supreme champion of the show. These wins were often interspersed with flying visits back and forth to Wales to fulfil stud duties. Throughout it all, Chee remained unfazed, was always willing and had a smile on his face.

One of his greatest achievements was being the only Shetland and coloured pony ever to win the coveted NFU trophy at the National Pony Society summer championships. This competition is for the champion ridden mountain and moorland pony, where the judge rides all the finalists before deciding on the champion.

Anna was thrilled to take the NFU trophy home with her. It was placed in pride of place on Anna’s kitchen windowsill along with several other trophies Chee had won that season. Imagine her surprise when the NPS asked for the return of the trophy and a request for it to be insured for £6000 while in transit. Perhaps the windowsill hadn’t been the most secure location, but fortunately, nothing awry was to befall it during its residency at Catchpool!

Chee’s son, Toby of Catchpool out of Pansy of Catchpool, had been retained and licensed as a stallion. However, when Lara’s son, Harry, toddled past his stable, it became apparent that Toby was smitten with this mini human.

The decision was made to geld Toby so that Harry could enjoy riding with a home bred pony. Toby has followed in Chee’s footsteps with success in hand and under saddle.

Although still contending lead rein classes, Harry and Toby have designs on some show jumping and eventing in the future.

Another Chee son who has notched up some outstanding results in youngstock classes is Randolph of Catchpool, who is out of Ulverscroft Northern Sky. Now broken, it will be interesting to see if he is able to emulate his father in the performance field.

Toby of Catchpool with Lara and Harry Joslin

Chee is enjoying retirement out with his mares. However, he does like to visit the family’s Inn, the “Kings Head” for a bit of socialising now and again!

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | MarchPallett 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 37 Brinleyview Camanchee ridden by Gemma

P E R F O R M A N C E

PON I E S

At Native Pony, we have been incredibly impressed by reports of native ponies competing successfully in performance disciplines.

Violet Hawkins, Glenlichd Fair Un Square Violet Hawkins, 12, and her Welsh section B, Glenlichd Fair Un Square [Squire] took to dressage training during the lockdown and haven’t looked back.

“We bought Squire in October 2019, originally with a view to showing him in the mountain and moorland first ridden classes,” explained Violet’s mother, Alex. At the beginning of 2020, Violet and Squire began having lessons with Jayne Turney, and attempted some dressage to give Squire different things to think about.

“Under Jayne’s expert tuition, they really have flown, and are pretty unrecognisable from the pair from early 2020,” said Alex. “Violet became completely obsessed with all things dressage and spent lockdown either watching videos of Charlotte Dujardin at the Olympics or devising freestyle tests to music in the ménage. The lack of competition meant lots of time to train. Squire loves the challenge of dressage and gives it his all every time; the more you ask of him the more he’ll do, and Violet is a perfectionist, so she loves all the practise and training”.

Squire was bred by Natalie Fraser. He is by Llanarth Charmer and out of Howeview Fairy Sparkle.

In 2021, Squire and Violet enjoyed some great results including a second in the NPS novice dressage finals’ mini section, a runner up in the British Riding Club Dressage to Music Championships, before going on to win both the prelim bronze section and the freestyle to music at the Wellington Petplan Area Festival.

This year, the pair got off to a flying start. Squire danced his way to winning the prelim silver section at the Solihull Petlan Area festival with over 71%, qualifying them for the national championships at Hartpury in April. He also claimed a third in the novice bronze section, again booking a spot at Hartpury as the highest placed rider under 21 years of age.

“They are usually the smallest in the class, and Violet one of the youngest, but they just go out to do their best and show everyone how awesome Welsh ponies are! He’s literally every little girl’s dream pony.”

Lexie Arnold, Jamillas Jake This season, Lexie Arnold, 13, and Jamillas Jake are aiming to compete in British novice, discovery and newcomers second round and her ultimate goal for the season would be to make the newcomer

final at HOYS. The six-year-old Connemara is sired by Glenare Silver Fox and is out of Clondrina Redhouse. “He’s a very special, novice pony whom Lexie is enjoying producing herself,” said Lexie’s mother, Sarah Arnold.

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Robyn-Mae Leslie, Littletree Heartbreaker Aberdeenshire-based Robyn-Mae Leslie, 12, has big ambitions in the 133cm working hunter pony classes with her Fell, Littletree Heartbreaker [Harry]. They are regularly out jumping in unaffiliated showjumping and cross-country competitions and have even attempted turning a hoof to PowerX. However, working hunter pony is their passion. Harry and Robyn successfully completed last season with a placing in each of the qualifiers they attempted.

They also won the intermediate 133cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony class at the NPS summer championships before going on to be NPS Scotland working hunter champion at Blair International Horse Trails. “The pair are very excited to get back out on the circuit this year,” said Robyn-Mae’s mother, Fiona Leslie.

Lexie Corcoran, Ashurst Quicksilver III Lexie and her New Forest pony Ashurst Quicksilver III have been super-consistent in the 128cm class. Last year, they qualified for Hickstead, HOYS and the London International Horse Show. This will be Lexie’s last year in 128cm so she’s hoping for a good season.

She’s already got off to a good start by qualifying for Hickstead.

She is also gearing up to compete on her new Welsh section D 148cm pony, Rhencullen Tommy Tucker who was featured in the last Native Pony issue.

Lledrith Nemesis Sue Kernan’s Welsh section A stallion, Lledrith Nemesis [Nemo] has made a great start to the season by winning his novice dressage class at Speedgate Petplan Area Festival and the following day winning and qualifying for the RIHS 122cm mountain and moorland working hunter pony final at the NPS Area 7 show.

He will be progressing his dressage career by aiming for the winter championships in April and this summer he will continue compete at elementary level along with his showing and jumping classes.

It is also hoped to grade him with the Sports Pony Studbook Society (SPSS) in 2022.

“Above everything we feel Welsh Mountain Ponies must be suitable mounts for children so temperament and versatility are all important, and although presently he doesn’t stand at public stud, it is expected that he will in the future by natural service and AI. We want to present him as a well-rounded sire for not only Welsh purebred stock but of competition ponies that excel in soundness, trainability and temperament,” said Sue.

Holly Jones, Minstral VI Holly Jones, 11, and her New Forest pony, Minstral VI, have qualified for the Stepping Stones final at the national championships and 2nd rounds in the British novice. “He’s a super jumper, finishing 10th out of over 150 entries at the Pony Club grass roots camps held at Horse Heath at the end of summer 2021,” said Holly’s mother, Frances Jones.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 39

Isabela Gheorghiu, Gwallwy Gwawr Isabela – Izzi – Gheorghiu, 16, and her Welsh Section D, Gwallwy Gwawr [Lucy] have been successful in securing an NPS training bursary having been competing in showing and dressage. 11-year-old Lucy is by Ebbw Diplomat and out of Ilar Myfanwy. Prior to joining Izzi’s team last year, Lucy had competed in BE 80 but had not done any showing or working hunter pony classes.

Izzie grew up in East London and Essex, and learned to ride when she was five years old at Just Riding, which is run by Justine Armstrong Small.

“Justine has been a great mentor for the past 10 years and we couldn’t be more grateful to her,” said Izzi’s mother, Helen. Izzi soon became involved in BSPS Area 15, NPS Area 14, TSR and South East Welsh Pony and Cob Association (SEWPCA), and was the TSR Amateur Rider of the Year in 2021 in the 16-25 years Stellar class.

Outside showing, Izzi was a member of Essex Hunt North Pony Club and represented them on the Intermediate Dressage Team at the Pony Club Championships last summer. She was also junior prelim and novice dressage champion at Essendon and Epping Forest Dressage Club in 2020 and 2021.

Izzi started competing Lucy at British Dressage novice last summer and progressed to elementary in the autumn after moving to North Wales, when she started working with her current trainer, Adam Murdin, who is a paralympic and Grand Prix dressage coach.

Due to the move to North Wales, Izzi is now looking forward to continuing showing as a member of NPS Area 27 (North Wales) and BSPS Area 2A (Cheshire) and has also joined Flint and Denbigh Pony Club and is on their dressage team.

Izzi has kicked off 2022 in style. She has just been awarded the

NPS Levant Stud Bursary to develop her skills in dressage and working hunter pony classes so that they can compete at the next level in both disciplines. She has also been selected for the BD Wales Youth Team squad.

Izzi and Gwawr recently competed at their first BD Pet Plan Area Festival at Aintree where they got creditable scores but were sadly out of the placings. Nevertheless, “it was a great learning experience at a new level in a big buzzy venue,” said Helen.

Helen explained Izzi’s that they are very much a grass-roots family who started from local shows and got increasingly involved in showing and dressage. She added: “I am a parish priest and Izzi’s dad, Sergiu, is a secondary school teacher, so Izzi just tries her hardest with the resources we have available, supplemented by her Granny, Thelma Gould Johnston. We are really delighted that her hard work and commitment is finally paying off, and we are so grateful to the National Pony Society for giving her this opportunity to develop further, and to all those who have supported and encouraged her.”

As well as Lucy, Izzi also has a Welsh section B, Crawel Vandyke, and a Welsh section C, Glynceirch Arwel.

Chloe Watts, Master Sam Chloe Watts and her five-yearold Connemara, Master Sam have recently attempted and won their first ever showjumping competitions, at 75 and 85cm. This qualified them for the Trailblazers finals and the championships at Hickstead. This season, Chloe also intends to compete in novice mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes, and hopefully qualify for STARS.

Nina Aldred, Moelview Casino Royale

Harriet Drewery, Menai Viceroy

Nina Aldred and Moelview Casino Royale are gearing up to compete in eventing and dressage.

The five-year-old Welsh section B stallion is by Moelview Chieftain. “He’s showing huge potential over a fence and seems unfazed by cross-country fences, fillers and water complexes etcetera and he’s such a lovable character,” said Nina. “At home, we mainly hack, and he will hack down the A6 with no problem and will lead other ponies past anything scary. He just really enjoys life.”

This season, Nina intends to compete in mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes as well as aiming to event and compete in dressage.

Harriet Drewery,13, and Welsh section C, Menai Viceroy [Rory] won both their prelim classes at Forest Edge BD. Nine-year-old Rory had suffered a suspensory injury at the end of 2020 and it was uncertain if he would ever come back to compete.

This was Harriet and Rory’s first appearance since the injury. The family purchased Rory as a seven-year-old with the intention of competing in dressage. “Rory had previously qualified for the BD national championships, but we had only had him about four months before he went lame, just as they about to do their first competition together.

It’s been a long journey to get him back to fitness,” said Harriet’s mother, Clare Drewery.

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Florence Moseley, Renkum Super Spy Florence Moseley, 10, and her Welsh section B pony, Renkum Super Spy, have recently qualified for the Blue Chip winter showjumping championships in the Discovery class (90cm). “Spy only measures 121.5cm, so they did remarkably well to compete and be placed against all the much bigger ponies in the class,” said Florence’s mother, Rebecca. Florence has produced Spy herself from the age of seven, bringing him on from a novice pony competing in unaffiliated classes at 40cm, to a JC pony now competing at 90cm on the British Showjumping affiliated circuit. They have also qualified for British Novice second rounds and are hoping to get their final two Discovery double clears by the end of April to qualify for Discovery second rounds too. Florence and Spy also won the British Showjumping West Midlands Pony Bronze League in September. They are aiming to compete at the national championships again this year in the Bronze League final, the 128cm Stepping Stones final and the British Novice final.

Gracie Catling, Dalyhill Rocker Gracie Catling’s Dalyhill Rocker is a Class 1, 14.1, Connemara gelding, Dalyhill Rocker. He started life as a show Connemara and then was bought by Gracie’s mother, Julia’s friend to compete in working hunter pony classes.

However, it wasn’t meant to be as Rocker was not confident over fences and found busy show rings far too stressful, Julia explained.

“We bought him off her as an all-rounder, to have fun, and to do low level dressage and jumping. Gracie started riding him and he immediately seemed to enjoy being the only one in the ring! So, a dressage career started,” said Julia. The pair sailed through prelim and novice level and have been to the British Dressage championships for the last five years, each time stepping up a level, and once winning a BD regional final at novice. Rocker is the reigning BD Medium Native champion and was also BD Novice Native champion in

2018. “He has good work ethic and enjoys a one-to-one partnership.

He may not be flashy like a Warmblood, but he is very correct and music classes have been his forte! We use Teddy Bears Picnic music because he looks like a big Teddy in the summer when he is golden! Judges love it! He is nearly trained to PSG so it would be amazing if he could compete at the level in 2022”. 18-year-old Gracie is currently studying towards her A levels. Her background was showing, and she won the SSADL Olympia final in 2019 but dressage has become the main focus now and she rode for GB at a CDI in 2020.

However, she assures us that she still loves riding her Connemara pony.

Rebekah Adshead, Conkertree Peanut Rebekah Adshead and her 128cm Fell stallion, Conkertree Peanut have been busy competing in dressage. Rebekah has owned the ten-yearold since he was six months old.

Peanut and Rebekah moved up to medium level at the end of October, so the area festivals were only his fifth test at the level.

Consequently, Rebekah was “thrilled to finish eleventh with 62.6% in a class full of horses that were most definitely neither short nor hairy”.

At the end of 2021, the pair also participated in their first dressage to music demo with Gaynor Colbourn. Rebekah said: “We had great fun and are looking forward to participating in more demos this summer. Gaynor is keen to show a wide range of breeds and types at her demos, so I was very keen to get on board and show case a Fell pony to a wider dressage audience. It’s daunting being up in front of a crowd, but also very exciting and I love riding to music! I am hoping to show Pea at advance medium level this summer, so hopefully raise awareness that ponies and of course, Fells in particular, are more than capable of moving up the levels.

“He is just the coolest little dude, the day after the music demo last year we headed out hunting for the first time where he proved very up for it and spent most the day up front jumping everything! We also have taken up Working Equitation with fantastic results at every show so far, so I’m excited to hopefully participate in our first regional and national competitions this year. I just love having fun on my tiny hairy pony!” info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 41

Lucy Bailey, Buttslawn Olympus Lucy Bailey and her New Forest pony, Buttslawn Olympus. “They haven’t done a huge amount in the last two years due to COVID, but they were part of the junior riding club team that won the 80cm championship in September and they also represented their school in showjumping,” explained Lucy’s mother, Emma Bailey. “This year, they are hoping to finish the year doing 90cm and 1m classes before next year registering Olympus as a horse with BS and competing in adult classes despite the fact that he is only 144cm so he will be one of the smallest”. They have also consistently qualified for the sunshine tour at Hickstead and they are hoping to do so again this year, along with competing for the Hampshire academy teams.

Kate Woolley has owned her 23-year-old Connemara, Dromoyle Lad [Charlie] for eight-and-a-half years. The pair used to compete in mountain and moorland working hunter pony classes but now compete in showjumping. “As he has got older, he decided he preferred going as fast as he can around a set of showjumps to being a fancy pony in the ring,” explained Kate. He has qualified

for the amateur finals every year since they Kate Woolley, Dromoyle Lad started showjumping in 2019. Last year, as a 22-year-old, he won £187 of winnings in 10 outings, and went to the Wales and West end of season derby show where he was in the top 7 in every class he did. “He seems to be getting better with age,” joked Kate. The pair have been out twice this year arena eventing, winning once. This year they plan to keep

Izzy Townsend, Nefydd Becca Izzy and Nefydd Becca have made an excellent start to the season having already qualified to jump at Hickstead. The Welsh section B mare was bred by Margaret Edwards. She is by Nefydd Antur and is out of Hafodyresgob Buzpet. Last season, Izzy and Becca were on the Welsh team at the Scottish, Welsh and English Home Pony competitions.

They also represented Llangeinor Hunt Pony Club at the regional PC championships where they won the qualifier for the mini-major final at the London International Horse show and claimed an individual sixth in the eventing.

At the London International Horse Show, they stormed around the mini-major final alongside Anthony Condon and his mare, Ajaccienne, to finish fourth. Becca also competed in working hunter pony classes before joining the Townsend family. “She has the most wonderful temperament; she’s so kind and always tries her best. She’s a proper child’s pony, like a real life unicorn,” said Sarah Townsend, Izzy’s mother.

As well as at Hickstead, Izzy is hoping to qualify for the 128cm finals at HOYS and at the London International Horse Show.

Holly Croall, Vicki Brown

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Showjumping whilst he is happy to keep going and Kate hoper to take him back to the derby meet at Wales and West in September. “He has just been the best little pony. He’d had a difficult start in life so when I bought him, it took three years for him to properly trust me and now he will do absolutely anything for me; my pony of a lifetime.”

RAF IT Technician, Holly Croall and her mother, Vicki Brown have been busy with their native dressage team over the winter and had a successful weekend at their Petplan Area Festival held at Northallerton Equestrian Centre.

Welsh part-bred Bluebank Geronimo [Ronnie] and 12-year-old Fell, Townend Stardust [William] both competed in the Advanced Medium Bronze Semi Final. Holly rode Ronnie whilst Vicki competed William. William is

by Castlehill Bellman and was brought from Margaret Wilson as a two-year-old straight off the fell. “We have had him for ten years, during which he has had success in showing, jumping and dressage. He and my mum have already achieved the amazing feat of competing at Prix Saint Georges and we believe he is the only Fell to have done this,” explained Holly. Both Ronnie and William ended up on the podium; Ronnie won and qualified for the national championships at Hartpury with William just missing out in third. Ronnie claimed a further ticket to the national championships by standing second with 68.19% in the Medium Bronze Semi Final.

Holly also competed with their nine-year-old Dales stallion, Nipna King’s Ransom [Thistle]. “He did a super test sadly I made an error of course which cost us the win but we still finished third and have our fingers crossed for a wildcard qualification,” said Holly. Thistle is by Dartdale Grey Bobbie II and out of Nipna Clematis. Vicki and Holly bought him from hos breeder, Juile Pennell as a foal. “He has had a successful career in showing so now we are focusing on his dressage career with the aim of competing at medium level by the end of the year,” Holly explained. You can track Holly and Vicki’s progress on Instagram by following @ Native_Ponies_Do_Dressage.

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SHETLAND ROUNDUP From Kate Hampton

Driving Success Gilly Williams qualified at Fedw, Wales for the British Indoor Driving Championships being held in April at Arena UK with miniature pair Gerratoun Cresta (16) and Oakgrove Chantilley Lace (10).

a winter evening has been spent looking at harness fit and safety,” said Ginny.

She added: “We are very lucky to have a really good coach, Steph Price, to support us, and once restrictions were lifted, Ginny moved to Wales with the we could then partake again in girls in 2020 where she draws trips out and having lessons. more than a fleeting glance as “Tilley and Crest can turn their she pulls up on her local garage hooves to almost anything and forecourt to collect the morning we are so proud to represent milk. But, the girls’ first love is the Shetland breed at the indoor driving trials and “the British Championships, I am faster the better,” states Ginny. sure they are going to love it, With less competitions over regardless of where we come.” the last couple of years, “many

New combination!

Following a successful season in 2021 with Jessica Talbot which included 8th place at Olympia and a HOYS ticket, Sharptor Tricolore [Troy] has been castrated and is already proving himself a contender in mini mountain and moorland classes.

end of January,” said Alice’s mum, Kathryn Hertenfeld.

She added: “We’ve had him out three times since then: once at a local children’s show where they won and were champion, and he also won the heritage novice lead rein class and went reserve champion at BSPS 2A. Now owned by the Hartenfeld At NCPA Spring Spectacular, family, seven-year-old Troy is he won the novice heritage a son of twice Cuddy finalist, first ridden class, and whilst our Sharptor Trinity, and left three aim is the novice first ridden foals on the ground himself classes, Alice – who loves Troy before his change in career. to bits – has also been enjoying Alice, his new little jockey is five doing jumps on him at home, so perhaps workers in the years old. “Troy’s been with us since Alice’s fifth birthday at the long-term.”

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NEW FOREST ROUNDUP From Diane Hadwen

WPCS PERFORMANCE AWARDS

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Kilncopse Hennessey (Long Copse Elton x Kilncopse Florin) and owner breeder Dawn Winship have had a super start to their 2022 BD dressage season. The nine year old, black gelding Hennessy (Henny to his friends) and Dawn have been competing in affiliated dressage since 2020, which was obviously a bit of a stop start season. Henny still qualified for the BD Petplan Area Festival at Novice and Elementary and although not placed at the festival he learnt a lot from the experience. 2022 saw him qualifying at Elementary and Medium, with two medium qualifications after only six BD tests.

At the 2022 Area Festival in the Medium test the pair finished mid class less than 1% out of the places and in the Elementary managed a top ten finish, despite Dawn losing her way which as she explained is ‘expensive when there are three judges and you lose two marks from each’.

Henny has been incredibly consistent since starting his BD career, never out of the places in everyday BD competitions and is very often the smallest one in his class by quite a way. Dawn’s aim is to progress his training to Advanced level, so she can fulfil her ambition to compete in a tailcoat!

NEW FOREST PONY PERFORMANCE PONY OF THE YEAR 2022 Moneyhills Pageant owned and ridden by Erin Dovey and bred

by Mum and Dad Sam and Helen Dovey (Wayland Cranberry x Burley Rumour) took the title this year (Erin is no stranger to this competition having taken the title previously in 2019 on Samsons Spy (Farriers Fingerprint x Blue Secret of Samsons), bred by her Grandma Pauline Black!). Erin & Fred competed in showjumping, including representing the New Forest PC at the area event taking individual 1st in the 90cm class; they also competed successfully in, working hunter, dressage, cross country and showing. The pair won the Golden Gorse Cup (Overall Winner), Merrie Cup (Best Owner/Rider); Lomonside Cup (Best Owner/Breeder); Toby Versatility Tankard; Show Jumping Cup; Dressage Tankard, Best Junior and the prize for the Best Novice.

MORE JUNIOR SUCCESS IN THE NORTHERN COUNTIES Buckland Blue Print (Obershade Skylark x Buckland Bamboo), bred by Dianna Van Hennik, owned by Sasha Knowles and competed by Mia Rainford has had an amazing start to the season standing 1st NCPA Junior M&M and Overall Junior Champion on their first outing and qualifying for the Chairman’s Cup at the NCPA Pony of the Year Show.

This new partnership looks like one worth watching.

NEW FOREST PONY BREEDING AND CATTLE SOCIETY DATES 1st January - NFPBCS membership due for renewal 4th January - 2022 Performance Pony Competition begins 4th January - Closing date for Forest Fed Competition entries 6th March NF Judges Seminar and Assessments 9th April - Colt inspections and futurity yearling colts 1st August - Closing date for Breed Show entries 30th November - Deadline for Registration applications 26th December - Boxing Day Point to Point 31 December - Closing date for NFPBCS Council Nominations 31st December - Points Competition ends; points sheets to be returned by 4th January 2023.

ELITE NEW FOREST SHOWS 24th April - Northern Supporters Group Show - (in conjunction with NPS Area 4), Camden Equestrian, York - 24th April 15th May New Forest Pony Enthusiasts Club Show, Brockenhurst.

2nd - 4th June, Royal Bath & West Show 17th - 19th June Royal Three Counties Show, Malvern 26th - 28th July New Forest and Hampshire County Show 2nd – 4th August NPS Summer Championships, Malvern 18th- 20th Equifest, Peterborough 27th & 29th August New Forest Pony Breed Show, Hampshire. info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 45

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WELSH

ROUNDUP

UPDATES FROM THE WELSH PONY AND COB SOCIETY: As the Welsh Pony and Cob Society enters its one hundred and twenty first year with some twenty-seven area associations throughout the UK and twenty daughter/filial societies across the World the Society would like to share some key event information and news of schemes and exciting new competitions!

WPCS PERFORMANCE AWARDS Many riders, drivers and owners of Welsh breed performance animals may not be aware of the hugely successful WPCS Performance awards scheme which has in the past given a platform to riders of the calibre of Olympian Laura Collett.

After two years of being unable to hold these prestigious points awards scheme, we are delighted to share that they will run again in 2022.

• The competition runs from 12th March 2022 - 20th December inclusive • For more information go to www.wpcsperformanceawards. com • Regular updates will also be posted on the Performance Awards Facebook page.

This successful scheme wishes to showcase all equestrian disciplines recognised at every level and competitors of any age and ability are welcomed.

There are also fabulous prizes to be won. Go on - why not give it a go?

The Society views this prestigious and long running award scheme as an opportunity to showcase the versatility of the Welsh breed, for owners, breeders and producers alike.

WPCS WORLDWIDE POINTS LEAGUE

Could you be a 2022 Award Winner?

A new, easy to take part in initiative has been unveiled to award three exciting new titles for the Welsh Pony & Cob Society.

• WPCS Handler of the Year • WPCS Rider of the Year • WPCS Driver of the Year Just record your results in the points booklet, get them signed by the Secretary and submit your points card at the end of the year. The competition is open to both Members and Non-Members competing worldwide as long as it’s with a registered Welsh Pony, Cob or Part-Bred. There will also be a special rosette for the highest placed Non-UK based competitor in each category.

The Handler and Rider awards will also offer a Junior category, covering ages 16 and under and the Senior category, covering 17 and over.

Find out more information and download your points booklet from the WPCS website or email enquiries@wpcs.uk.com detailing the booklet you would like along with you full address.

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ONE STOP SHOW SHOP There have been a number of changes to the Judging and Showing section of the WPCS website. Owners can now check the list of results and verify that the correct exhibit has been awarded the medal. Owners have thirty days to query the result with the WPCS before the result is considered final.

This area of the website has affiliated show’s schedules, links to show’s Facebook pages, links to Online Entry forms and will detail the medal results and full results after the show.

The 2022 version of the WPCS Judging and Showing Handbook has been published and can be accessed via the WPCS website www.wpcs.uk.com

IMPLEMENTATION OF SHOW RULES Whilst the new Welsh Pony and Cob Society rule banning the removing of sensory hairs that was implemented ready for the 2022 show season is fast becoming the industry norm following an F.E.I ruling, the Council’s statement re-enforcing the already existing rule regarding the outlawing of exhibiting Pure bred Welsh Ponies and Cobs with levelled off tails (Banged) still seems to be being overlooked.

The 2022 Judging & Showing Handbook still clearly states in Rule 9.5a that, “Tails must not be banged level. This is discretionary for Welsh Part-Breds.”

To clarify, this means the tails of Pure-bred Ponies and Cobs, exhibited as such, whether in dedicated breed show classes or in mixed Mountain & Moorland company, should not be presented with their tails cut straight across, level, at any height

(i.e., banged). The practice, while rarely seen or tolerated in led classes, has become frequently deemed fashionable in ridden company and as such should be frowned upon by Judges.

Exhibitors are still able to subtly trim, thin and shape both manes and tails to enhance each particular animals’ attributes if they so wish, though remembering, “the overall image has to be in keeping within the natural beauty of the Welsh breeds.”

Exhibitors and Judges alike should be aware that production of this nature serves to do the Welsh breeds an injustice in the show ring. Any act of production which looks artificial and detracts from a ‘native’ look should be discouraged.

For those readers who are yet to be a proud owner of a Welsh Pony, Cob or A Welsh Part-bred there is only one place to be this coming autumn.

THE OFFICIAL 2022 SALES The next Official WPCS sale hosted by the Society’s Official Auctioneers McCartneys will be held at the Royal Welsh Showground between the 14th and 17th of October 2022. The sales will cater for all five Sections of the Welsh Stud book, Sections A, B, C, D and their Part-breds. Last year there were over 400 hundred animals presented giving the prospective buyer a wealth of choice – all in one place.

The sale will be held over the period with the number of sale days depending on the number of entries received. The Closing date for the Sale is Friday 26th of August 2022 - this date will be strictly adhered to. Catalogues will be available from late September.

WPCS JUNIOR MEMBERS If you’re under 18, you can become a Junior Member of the WPCS. Junior Members will receive either a copy of the current WPCS Journal or a Christmas Gift. Junior Membership costs £12 for the year, running from January to December.

Go to the Downloads page on the Society website for a Junior membership application form.

Do you use the Society’s Online Pedigree Service?

If not, then why not? It’s a great way of researching and learning more about the breed! The society is currently improving this service. If you would like a bespoke service which offers you more info on your own animals , please send a request to enquiries@wpcs.uk.com with your name, address and memebership number (as printed on your card).

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 47

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HIGHLAND ROUNDUP From Gilliam Murphy

The Highland Pony Society Awards 2021 The presentation of the Highland Pony Society Awards was held on Thursday 10 February, 2022 on “Zoom”, in a combined meeting of both Ridden Performance Schemes alongside the new In Hand Awards. Despite having a slow start to events at the beginning of 2021, as Covid kept its hold, by June both sides of the border began to open up and events started to take place again. The Highland Pony Society decided to go ahead with the Performance Awards and to run them in the usual format instead of amalgamated as in 2020.

Austin of Milton Glen 1st Class Images

The Awards evening commenced with a welcome from the Highland Pony Society’s President, Sylvia Ormiston. She introduced Amber Thorpe who had been invited to talk about her very successful young pony and the fun she’d had with him.

Amber had prepared a very interesting power point about her stallion, Highland Chief of Talisker, who she had bought as a five year old. Her mother had seen him for sale on Facebook and bought him over the phone! With a few initial adventures, he had a very successful season as a seven year old, qualifying for RIHS, HOYS and Olympia and won the HPS Bronze Medal at the NPS Summer Championships. The following year started with a bang when he won the first HOYS qualifier. However, it was at the RIHS where dreams were achieved! “Junior” not only took the Reserve Championship in the M&M Young Riders Classes but went on the following day to lift the Supreme Pony Championship as well, coinciding with her 25th birthday. A Hickstead to remember! Amber finished off her presentation by drawing listeners’ attention to her Tiktok and YouTube channel which show her pony off at work and at play!

Sylvia thanked Amber for her informative talk and congratulated her on her many successes. She then introduced Anne Owen Walker who was the secretary for the new In Hand Award Scheme. 2021 saw the inaugural running of the Society’s InHand Awards Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to encourage breeders and owners to show their ponies.

Fergie of Logierait Organiser, Anne Owen Walker writes; “There is one scheme for the whole of the country and it is open to registered Highland ponies of all ages - and almost all ages of handler! This award is very similar to the established Ridden Performance Scheme where points are collected at shows and recorded on a 48 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

card. There is no need to obtain judges’ signatures.

Very fittingly, the 2021 Champion was long standing breeder and former Council Member, Alison Payne with her homebred filly, Eilidh Dhubh of Castle Green. This combination were the winners of the HPS Youngstock Championship in England and along with their other successes, saw them the winners here. Reserve went to Fiona Steel and Moss-side Breagh II who posted wins at both the Great Yorkshire Show and Blair where double points are available. Three year olds dominated the top places as taking third spot was Zoe Marsden with her lovely colt, Strathmore Jasper. However older ponies did well too, it was especially nice to see two veteran ponies in the top ten, Marsha Holtham’s Mhairi of Silverstripe , who was also Best Mare and Jean Stewart’s Esme of Armoury.

It is fabulous that so many people have generously donated trophies to this new scheme so there will be a lot of sideboards with new additions this year. However, no one leaves empty handed as there are rosettes for everyone who returns a Card to recognise and celebrate their achievements.” Anne finished by stating that cards for 2022 are ready now and can be obtained through the Society’s online “Shop”. She wished everyone good luck for the forthcoming season.

Chris Grant then took over to present the results of the Ridden Performance Award Schemes. Entries from England & Wales were a little down on previous years but the Scotland Scheme had slightly more. In Scotland, ponies competed in 14 different types of events with dressage being the most popular competition followed by showing and this pattern was repeated in the E&W awards. Overall most people competed on geldings but more stallions (4) competed than usual. Interestingly, only

two mares competed in Scotland and four south of the border which leads one to wonder where all the mares are, as they surely aren’t all involved in breeding programmes. Four ponies were homebred in Scotland though only one in E&W. Like the results of 2019, juniors were thin on the ground with a total of four but at the other end of the scale, both schemes each Dunedin Maurice had 6 riders of 50+. In Scotland, 11 out of the 19 ponies entered were competing in the scheme for the first time along with 7 new rider/ pony combinations. There were more returning ponies in E&W as only 7 ponies were new with 6 new combinations.

appearances with Catherine Taylor scoring the same marks as Trailtrow Glenkinchie with Jess Lewis, who won the Versatility Quaich by competing in seven different activities. 7th place went to junior rider, Lucie Callister, with her pony, Whitefield Prince Ruaridh and she was delighted to win the Gemma of Carlung Trophy for most improved as well as the show jumping rosette. Top Junior came 6th with Austin of Miltonglen and Harriet Drewery, not only winning the Grover Family Bowl for E&W but the Sue Giles Memorial Quaich for the best overall junior in the two schemes. Their highlight was winning the M&M Junior Ridden class at HOYS. Top stallion in 5th place, Bluebraes Ossian took away the HPS Claret Challenge Trophy (stallion) and the Machelthy Sir Bertram Horn Quaich for fun classes for his owner, Debra Howe. Jennifer Harvey came 4th with Torranach of Achnacarry and another pony bred at the same stud, Achnacarry Machair Mist and Debbie Harris came 3rd winning the Lochlands Handel Quaich for rider 50+. Another pony, who’s points were also mainly gained from hunting and being awarded the Quest of Mendick Trophy for this activity, was Balmule Tavish and Gemma Green, both regularly seen out with the Coakham Bloodhounds. With over a thousand points more than Tavish was the 2021 Performance Champion for E&W, Dunedin Maurice and Elizabeth Etchells, who will need a lorry to collect their silverware! Their points were mainly gained from dressage and they were the NPS Dressage Supreme Champion amongst many other successes. Elizabeth, who had just had a baby a fortnight previously, was virtually presented with the Glenda Spooner Trophy and HPS Bronze Medal, along with the HPS Bursary as a new combination. They also won the Whitehope Morag Salver ( New Pony), the Nashend Sea Otter Trophy ( Highest Dressage Score), HPS Quaich (WHP) and Benny Trophy (Best Gelding).

By screen sharing, all entrants were able to see photos of themselves with their ponies. Chris involved the placed competitors by inviting them to chat about their ponies, the achievements they’d had in 2021 and their aims for the future.

“Special” rosettes were awarded to all competitors from eleventh place and lower and each pony had screen time to celebrate their participation in the Awards. Scotland’s top results were then announced in reverse order from 10th which went to Lachlan of Gersa and Lindsay Gunn, a previous overall winner, who won the Seamus of Glenshee Trophy for dressage. 9th place and top Junior, also winning the Jinty of Prosen Trophy for Show Jumping, went to Burnside Westray with Morven Wilkie, who was thrilled with her result as this is her last year in junior classes.

The Dunedin Harris Trophy for WHP points went to Kayleigh Moran and Gordon of Caenlochan who came 8th and the HPS Quaich for Trec was presented to Julia Lewis with Phoenix of Auchlethan in 7th place. Royal Caledonian of Fourmerk, who came 6th, gained most of his points from hunting until his fun was abruptly curtailed when his jockey, Vicki Fletcher unfortunately had an unrelated accident and broke her femur.

Hopefully winning the Mowhaugh Tankard for hunting would go some way to compensate! In 5th place came Jackie Henderson with her homebred gelding, Craigenroe Merlin, There was one last presentation to make before the evening both competing for the first time in the scheme. The stallion, concluded and that was the new Lochlands Choir Boy Trophy, Dunstruan Ettrick Mhor, who represented the Breed at HOYS presented by Anne Owen Walker to the breeder of the Overall in October, came 4th and won both the Angus of Gersa Quaich Winner of the Scotland and England & Wales Schemes. In its for for the top homebred pony as well as the Turin Hill Angus inaugural year, it was awarded to Anne Mitchell of the Dunedin Iain Trophy for the best stallion, for his delighted breeder, Highland Pony Stud.

Heather Dick. First time combination in 3rd place, Anne Fowlie With the busy evening coming to a conclusion, Sylvia took to with Fergie of Logierait were awarded the HPS Bursary as well ustin of Milton Glento thank everyone for participating in the awards and the screen as the Trailtrow Raffan Rosie Trophy for versatility, competing to encourage everyone to join in again for 2022. She finished by in an amazing 10 different activities! Anne also won the (1st ElijahClass Images) expressing her thanks to Anne Owen Walker and Chris Grant Wedgewood Quaich for riders 50+ thus showing the benefits of for all their efforts with prior preparations and organising the retiral! And so to the top two!! With only 63 points separating evening. them, 2nd place went to Jackie Coull with Trailtrow Gracie who won the Dunrowan Dolphin Trophy for the best new pony to the scheme - a fitting award as Dolphin was a foundation mare at the Trailtrow Stud! The champion for Scotland in 2021, winning the Glenda Spooner Trophy and an HPS Bronze Medal, was Jennifer Herd with her veteran mare, Carse Carousel. All her points were won in endurance including a seventeen day trek north up the Pennine Way to Scotland, camping en route. She also won the David’s Lass of Carn Dearg Trophy for endurance, Morven of Turin Hill Quaich for the best home produced mare and the Mowhaugh Rosebowl for best veteran.

The attention then turned to the England and Wales Scheme in which there was one representative flying the flag for Wales! In 10th place, winning the Brownbread Rebecca Trophy for the best mare was Balleroy Imogen and Ellie Hughes- Frost.

Two ponies tied for 8th place with the stallion, Glenbanchor Gillebrighde, another HOYS finalist, gaining all his points from successful show ring

Trailtrow Gracie info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 49

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FELL

ROUNDUP From Claire Simpson

FELL PONY SOCIETY TROPHY WINNERS The Queen’s Trophy – HM The Queen The Queen’s Trophy is presented to a person or persons who, in the opinion of the current FPS Chairman and approved by the FPS Council, has promoted the Fell pony breed by work, recreation, or study. The Society is delighted to confirm that the recipient for 2022 is Her Majesty herself, a fantastic ambassador for the Fell Pony whose Patronage is very much appreciated by the Society. We hope that the award can be presented as part of our Centenary celebrations.

Lownthwaite Rob Trophy – Townend Bellboy II The Lownthwaite Rob trophy, for the pony which has done most to publicise the breed outside the show ring, has been awarded to Townend Bellboy II. Bellboy who is 12 years old was bred by Margaret Wilson and was nominated by Margaret Plank; he is owned and ridden by Rowena Day and lives near Horsham in West Sussex. Fell ponies are rarely seen in the Southeast of England and Margaret finds that it is not uncommon when out hacking to receive comments from passers‐by such as ‘what a lovely pony – is he a special breed?’ Margaret is very happy to promote the breed in this informal way but says that Rowena has taken publicity for Fell ponies to a whole new level. She and Bellboy have competed successfully in dressage competitions since 2016, not only against Fell ponies but also against other native breeds and dressage horses.

As well as a very impressive list of dressage successes Rowena and Bellboy also enjoy Endurance GB pleasure rides. Speed is of the essence and to count as a completion the ride must be ridden in excess of 8 kilometres per hour and the horse or pony must finish sound, with a heart rate of below 64 beats per minute. The hills in the Southeast, particularly the South Downs, are as steep as those on the Cumbrian pleasure rides; and whilst Fell ponies can climb just about anything, they are not bred for speed.

In 2021 Rowena and Bellboy completed six EGB pleasure rides totalling 139 kilometres. Their final ride was the Weald Trophy Championship, an Endurance GB Southeast Group award ride, a distance of 32 km at a speed of between 10kph and 11kph over some of the most testing country in the area. The final placings are based on a combination of speed and heart rate and Rowena and Bellboy came third in competition with, amongst others, several Arabs. Rowena blogs on Facebook and Instagram with 600+ followers on each page. Her blog is mainly a diary of what she and Bellboy get up to, but she also promotes the breed and adults riding ponies.

The Edinburgh Prize for Driving – Sleddale Eddie Sleddale Eddie was exported to the Netherlands as a two-year-old colt in 1999 by David Wilkinson, who had purchased him as a colt foal from Mr Harrison the breeder of Sleddale ponies

50 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

at Shap, Cumbria. Eddie had only one daughter in England, Brackenbank Rosie who remained at Brackenbank all her life with the Wilkinson family who bred her. Haitse and Joke Postma purchased Eddie in 2000 and he is now rising 25.

The family describe him as an ‘old‐style’ baroque Fell pony, with a long mane, full tail and attractive pony head. They report that he is extremely friendly and easy to handle and seems to know his people very well. An example being that their son had always shown him at the Stallion Show in long lines, but once, when he was injured, Eddie appeared to be wondering where his friend was, although he behaved very well for his new handler, as always. He is also very well-behaved during stud services and never misbehaves towards the mares. He passes on his breed characteristics very well. Eddie has many descendants in the Netherlands, as well as in Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France and America. Four of his sons have been approved as licensed stallions. Eddie, or ’Mr Ed’ as he is known, was broken for driving in 2003 and since then he has done a of show driving. He has also been driven at weddings and other celebrations and provided transport for Santa Claus.

He carries the Fell flag wherever he goes, and the size and noise of a crowd doesn’t bother him, he just keeps on going; sometimes looking around as if to say, “Did you all come to see me?” The family drives him as a single, pair, tandem and even in a unicorn arrangement. In the pair and tandem he is joined by one of his sons Knillis van het Westerkwartier (gelding) or Odin van het Westerkwartier (also an approved stallion). In unicorn he goes with both of his sons. In tandem, as well as unicorn, Eddie is always the lead pony.

In 2013 Eddie received the award of ‘Preferent’ stallion at the stallion show of the NFPS because of his good offspring.

Haitse and Eddie also took part in the Fell

pony Sports day 2018 run by the NFPS. They both did dressage for the first time, were oldest driver and pony and did very well. Mr Ed is a great ambassador for the breed and a real member of the Postma family, who love him very much.

Peahill Basil Veteran Pony Award – Hardendale Rowan Hardendale Rowan, age 26, has been busy in her first proper year with her young rider Emily, stepping up from being an occasional, opinionated hack. Mum, Jacqueline, reports that they have attended a residential Pony Club camp on their own and survived. They have learned to show jump, go cross country and have attended rallies and competitions. They have taken up a new hobby, orienteering and obstacles, competing with, and beating, adults at TREC. The highlight of their year was getting in the grand parade at their first ever county show. Rowan has given her rider Emily the confidence to want to go further and take on a younger

unschooled pony; and her ambitions now include working hunter classes at the Royal Highland ‐ or maybe even HOYS. Rowan – known as Old Bat – is still challenging, she kicks and bites when being tacked up. She can stand still ‐ but only in a TREC competition.

She’s an outdoor girl who will tolerate a few months of winter care, but definitely not pampering. She has educated the Pony Club about Fell Pony quirks. In some ways she remains the semi‐ feral Cumbrian Fell Pony who had 9 foals in her previous life as a brood mare for Ralfland Stud at Shap. Her offspring

have spread her genes around the world: Ralfland Kestrel; Skylark; Falcon; Petal; Star Trek; Peter Pan; Whisper; JR; and CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR VERY WORTHY WINNERS!

FELL PONY SOCIETY ENDURANCE AWARDS The Fell Pony Society Endurance awards have been very capably run by Fiona Carradus for several years. Although the last couple of years have been particularly challenging, riders have ventured out to more events over the last year and prospects for this year look much more hopeful.

Competitive Distance Winner Lownthwaite Vincent (Lunesdale Tarquin x Lownthwaite Phoenix) and Jenny Gilmour 218 kms

and agile; and Jenny always feels confident that he can safely cover the terrain. He has recorded 15 mph in trot and 29 mph uphill in a ‘race’ with his buddy.

competed in Trec to national level, won at affiliated British dressage and qualified twice for the BD Native pony championships.

Jenny Gilmour found Vinnie, her fifteenyear-old grey Fell pony, when she was looking for a pony for her daughter. She had known him from age five to eight and loved his gorgeous dark grey dapples and that he is such a compact, well put together pony. Jenny’s daughter enjoyed him for a couple of years, doing lots of hacking, SJ and PC events; then mother and daughter swapped rides and Jenny took on the feisty Fell pony. Jenny had always been a happy hacker and in the mid ‘90’s did a few endurance rides, she thought Vinnie would enjoy them too and found that it gave them something to aim for and kept them both fit whilst enjoying days away.

The pair started pleasure rides in 2016 then competitive rides in 2017, they’ve done over 1400km since then and have really got to know each other well. 2021 was slow to start after lockdowns, but they still enjoyed a fantastic season, mainly attending rides of around 30kms all over the south of Scotland, Cumbria, Northumberland and Yorkshire. Vinnie is fit enough to do this distance quite comfortably, whether hilly or flat, and they usually complete 30 km at around 12-13 kph; and he is known locally as being quite speedy.

She turned her hooves to long distance riding in 2021, proving to be a little star completing 250 miles with Endurance GB in Pleasure Rides. The rides have included some fantastic routes in the Derbyshire Peak District, but her forte seems to be fast flat rides in Sherwood Forest and Lincolnshire. Tamara has thoroughly enjoyed the events and had great fun staying over at a lot of the venues, camping in her trailer, while Shandy relaxes in her corral.

Jenny reports that Vinnie is a joy to be around, and she loves spending my time with him. He has a soft, sweet nature, but, perhaps like a lot of brilliant ponies, he can get quite anxious and tense at times, so Jenny is always looking to keep him calm. He has a hard-wired race brain which can make endurance a bit tricky at times, but they always have an exhilarating ride. Vinnie is brave in open country and will happily fly along through mud or cross fords, streams, and rivers. He has the biggest, fastest trot and covers the ground well; is exceptionally sure footed

Jenny finds endurance a fun and very friendly sport, with magnificent scenery to enjoy. Her favourite ride was near Thirsk where she camped the night before with her husband enjoyed a wonderful weekend of good laughs with friends old and new, then a wonderful ride with her amazing boy Vinnie.

Tamara had been hoping to join the ranks of the competitive endurance riders in 2022, but Shandy is showing some age-related issues, so she will see how she goes, Shandy may be passing her hoof boots on to a successor, but we wish her all the best.

Pleasure Distance Winner – Greenholme Shandy and Tamara Habberley 211 kms Tamara Habberley reports that her versatile fifteen-year-old mare, Greenholme Shandy (Lunesdale Redstart x Greenholme Jenny) has proven to be pony of a lifetime. She has info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 51

FELL PONY SOCIETY YOUNGSTOCK AND PERFORMANCE 2022 Christine Robinson reports that, as expected, entries for the 2021 points were lower than in previous years. Quite a few shows and events were cancelled or postponed and, understandably, some people decided to stay at home for another year. However, well done to those people who did take part and let’s hope that 2022 is the year that we can get back to normal.

We’d be delighted if you could join us, and anyone wanting to enter for the 2022 Points Awards can find the relevant information under ‘Awards’ on the Fell Pony Society website.

Through 2021 the pair attended riding club training sessions and competitions, If anyone has any questions, please Carrock Duke (Carrock Elsa x Carrock doing well in show jumping Stride the Nite) followed in his mother’s and don’t hesitate to contact Christine by and Equicross, and they have brother’s hoof prints by picking up the award phone or email, details on the Council also dipped their toes and for most points in the foal section. His first Information page. hooves in dressage and Trec. show was the FPS breed show where he was a respectable second. Next up was Crosby One of their excellent results Ravensworth and in another strong class was at the FPS Southern ponies. They he managed to pick up his first top honour show where they took the WHP reserve started the by winning the foal class. The highlight championship. Charlotte is fortunate to year attending of the year came at the NWASG Foal and have two very active riding clubs within the Sparket Youngstock show where Duke swept the easy reach, both of which complement each Shows with board by taking first prize colt, champion other; one has a good number of clinics the yearlings foal and supreme champion of the show. with visiting trainers and the other runs to get them This was the first time a foal has taken the competitions at least twice a month from supreme at this show since youngstock has Spring to Autumn. Charlotte ended the year out and about and let them been included. Duke has now moved on with three marvellous trophies from riding see different from the Carrock stud to his wonderful new club for accumulating points through the things. Xena home with Anna Ellwood and her daughter Summer; and winning the SJ, Equicross and (Murthwaite Scarlett.

14.2 and under trophies, all of which was Wanted Man unexpected. x Dalewin Charlotte is now clocking up her mileage for Roxanne) Over four years old - Performance the FPS Centenary 100 miles challenge and took Reserve Scotshaven Bella Augusta, Owner/ riding 5 or 6 times a week; and although she Champion at her Exhibitor Charlotte Knight occasionally finds her age creeping up on Holling Wilkie first show which her, Bella’s ‘can do’ attitude keeps her going. Bethany was Charlotte Knight was stunned to hear Charlotte would like to thank Diane Meikle, super-thrilled that she and her pony Bella had won the Performance section and said that as the news Bella’s breeder, for trusting her and selling with. Later Dalewin Uptown Girl (Lunesdale came a week before her 60th birthday it was her to her unseen. Bella is by Lunesdale Black Ice II x Dalewin Fern) came in and Rex out of Lunesdale Lizzie - a mare that the best present that she could have had. started her show season with a bang by Charlotte first saw as a foal with her mother taking Champion Fell Pony at Cumberland Lunesdale White Rose, shown by Bert Show. Over the Summer Bethany took Xena Morland at the Breed show a good 29 plus and Uptown Girl out to various shows and years ago. they were placed in the top 6 every time.

They had a fabulous end to the season at Eggleston Show, where Uptown Girl and Yearling – Dalewin Xena Xena won their classes and Uptown Girl went on to take Fell Pony Champion; and Two-year-old – Dalewin Willow then went one step better and took the Over four years in hand – Dalewin Overall Horse Supreme Championship; a Uptown Girl, very proud moment that repaid all Bethany’s hard work.

Owner Edwin Winder Exhibitor Foal – Carrock Duke, Owner/Exhibitor John Cockbain

Bethany Cousins

Bethany Cousins has had a very busy year showing her grandfather, Edwin Winder’s 52 | The Native Pony | March 2022 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Bethany had also been doing a little in-hand work with Willow who is Uptown Girls full sister, so she decided to try her luck in

the ring where Willow didn’t fail to impress, winning both her classes and taking the Mountain and Moorland Championship and HomeProduced Reserve Championships.

Bethany plans to balance getting the youngsters out to see new sights with allowing them time to just be youngsters.

Uptown Girl will be slowly introduced to Rackwood Aurora ridden work and allowed to mature at her own pace.

Bethany’s dream is to ride at HOYS one day and we wish her all the best.

Three-year-old – Rackwood Aurora, Owner/Exhibitor Eileen Walker Rackwood Aurora is out of Eileen’s very special mare, Rackwood Magic by Linnel Riddler. She is a quiet, kind natured pony who has been shown sparingly during the last three years. Eileen and Aurora attended three shows during 2021 but entered two classes at two of those shows so they gained maximum points from minimum outings. Their last show was at Holmside Hall Equestrian Centre where Aurora was awarded first prize in the M&M Youngstock class and first prize in the M&M Open In-hand class. She then went on to win the In-hand Championship, then they were up against the Champion Ridden and Reserve Champion Ridden to contest the Supreme Championship. Eileen’s little legs had to find another gear to keep up with everything going around the ring, but Aurora impressed the two judges sufficiently for her to be awarded Supreme Champion. A very proud moment for Eileen and a perfect end to her 2021 showing. Eileen plans to show Aurora in-hand and start her dressage career with her during 2022.

Dressage – Ruby III, Owner/Exhibitor Carrie-Ann Richardson For the first half of the summer Karen (Ruby III – Murthwaite Gurkha x Ruby II) was away at stud and unfortunately came home empty; so, Carrie-Ann decided to get back out in the dressage arena for the rest of the season. Their first time back out was successful with 69.8% and second in the Prelim and a respectable 62% in the Novice, just out of the placings. Their success continued, consistently achieving high 60% and several over 70%.

In October a friend offered Carrie-Ann her place in an Elementary test as her pony was unable to go; and even though the pair had never ridden an Elementary test, and had no time to practice, CarrieAnn decided to throw Karen in the deep end and give it a go.

She did not disappoint coming away with 64.2% and 3rd place.

This last-minute opportunity gave Carrie-Ann the push that she had needed to step up a level and they didn’t look back.

For the rest of the season, they moved away from Prelim and moved up to only contending Dalewin Xena Novice and Elementary tests.

Their scores improved every time out, Hall Dusky), is a true all-rounder. His main resulting in a placing each time; sometimes forte is driving trials and he started his career beating “proper” dressage horses competing at club level with West Midlands Driving at BD level.

Group, progressing up to bigger two-day Carrie-Ann still hopes to breed from Karen, events with Midland Carriage Driving. He is known for his flowing style and flying and hopefully she will return home in foal this time. Whilst she is away Carrie-Ann will changes in the obstacle phase and regularly concentrate of getting her homebred 4-year- attracts a little crowd of onlookers! Fiona and family friend Susan Taylor do the ridden old, Stunstead Babybel, out competing at work and Cappa has competed in successfully Intro level, and maybe a few Prelim tests. in ridden dressage competitions where he delights in beating ‘sport horses’.

Junior - Holling Wilkie, Owner Judy Fairburn Exhibitor Ella Fairburn The Junior section of the Points awards is becoming a bit of a family tradition for the Fairburns. Ella won the section this year, riding her Grandmother Judy’s pony Wil, and her Mum, Laura, won the junior points scheme in 2004 riding Lunesdale Clover.

Ella started riding a small pony in June 2020 when she was nine and stayed with Judy during lockdown, but she grew so much she moved on to sixteen-year-old Wil in October 2020. Judy reports that Wil has many t-shirts to his name and happily fits in with everyone, he used to belong to Judith Williamson so had a good education.

Ella is now 11 years old and quite a character, reporting that she likes to ride Wil in competitions and particularly likes jumping and going fast! The pair attended Pony Club rallies and Ella passed her D+ test in December and will be trying to do more arena eventing and show jumping things this year.

Fiona reports that Cappa is a pleasure to train, both under saddle and in harness and will always try his best to please, but he doesn’t put up with any nonsense. He loves his work and his competitions so, hopefully, if this year is a little more ‘normal’ then they hope to get out and show off a bit more!

Fiona also owns the second pony in the driving section, Greenholme George (Murthwaite Wanted Man x Greenholme Becky) who they bought in 2019. George had been broken to drive in the dim and distant past and Fiona and Linda spent the first 12 months re-starting him. He started competed successfully in ridden dressage and club level driving trials later in the year, though his experience has been hampered due to Covid.

This year they plan to progress both his ridden and driven work; hopefully stepping up a level in competitive dressage and continuing his steady progress in driving trials; but above all, with both ponies, the aim is to enjoy their training and have fun!

Driving – Raisebeck Cappuccino, Owner Fiona Bubb Exhibitor Linda Wiggin Raisbeck Cappuccino (Cappa) has won the driving section again with Linda Wiggin. Linda’s daughter, Fiona, has owned Cappa since 2013, and like so many Fell ponies, Cappa (Guards Jester x Orton

CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY!

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 53

Got news? Want to see your pony in print?

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DARTMOOR ROUNDUP From Chris Grant

Meering Merridian

by Julia Berresford I bought registered Dartmoor Meering Meridian, or Mary, just before we went into lockdown in Spring 2020 from her breeder Joy Revell of Meering Dartmoor Ponies. She was purchased for my daughter, Mia, who was nine years old at the time. Mia and Mary quickly developed a close bond and became the best of friends. Mary is a popular character on the yard and has such a sweet and lovable character. Mia has produced her completely by herself and her riding has really improved in the 2 years since we’ve owned Mary. The pair have competed in first ridden, open mountain and moorland classes and

workinh hunter pony classes at local level and had some great success at Equine Sports UK and British Elite in 2021.

The highlight of the year was qualifying for STARS in 2021 representing Ripley Riders Club. They were placed first in the first ridden equitation, fifth in the mountain and moorland first ridden and 16th in the mountain and moorland small breeds, as well as winning a Best Rider, Best Turned Out and Picture-Perfect Awards. Mary did a foot perfect show in the supreme championship and Mia rode her socks off. They were pulled in the top five out of hundreds of competitors. It was fabulous and I’ve never been so proud of them both.

EXMOOR

ROUNDUP From Sue Burger

Performance Awards

Adult

No performance awards were held in 2020 so it was great to see a healthy entry in 2021. There have been three national awards run by the Exmoor Pony Society and several regional points schemes.

2nd. Dunsmore the Famous Grouse, Clare Phillips

1st. Blackthorn Poem, Portly French 3rd. Dunsmore Glenfiddich, Annette Perry

The three national awards are Ridden Performance, Adult and Junior.

4th. Cilliechuimen Hootenanny, Lizzie Raspin

The winners from 2021 are as follows...

6th. Bournefield Celtic Rose, Annette Perry

Ridden 1st. Blackthorn Poem, Portly French 2nd. Barhill Marigold, Charlotte Heslop 3rd. Danelaw Jupiter, Paula Kay 4th. Dunsmore the Famous Grouse, Clare Phillips 5th. Dunsmore Glenfiddich, Annette Perry 6th. Ariel, Paula Kay Also entered: Stowbrook Red Kite & Davinia Johnson. Bournefield Celtic Rose & Annette Perry Cillechuimen Hootenanny & Cosmic Quenisset both Lizzie Raspin.

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5th. Dunsmore Glenmorangie, Rebecca Farley-Brown

Junior 1st. Barhill Marigold, Charlotte Heslop 2nd. Dunsmore Glenmorangie, Christopher Farley-Brown 3rd. Dunsmore Glenmorangie, Amala Wiles 4th. Dunsmore Glenmorangie, Eleri Wiles The variety of disciplines and activities the ponies and their riders took part in prove how versatile they are. The awards have been updated and streamlined this year. The Adult and Ridden awards have been amalgamated and some changes made to how points are allocated. This makes the competition more inclusive and accessible.

Full details are on the EPS website under the Owning drop down.

Scientific Advisory Panel With surge in interest in the genetics and biology of Exmoor ponies the EPS has appointed its first Scientific Advisory Panel. The EPS increasingly needs to be able to call upon geneticists, ecologists, veterinary surgeons and those with experience of the academic system. The Scientific Advisory Panel will ensure that the science it follows is rigorous and contributes to a greater understanding and preservation of the breed. The members of the EPS Scientific Advisory Panel are:

Chair, Professor Marcello Riggio BSc (Hons), PhD. Marcello is Professor of Comparative Oral Microbiology at the University of Glasgow. He has published more than 80 peer-reviewed research papers on oral and systemic diseases of animals and humans and has a wealth of experience in academic research and teaching. He has a successful track record of research in equines, small companion animals and large farm animals. Marcello developed an interest in the Exmoor pony and was instrumental in the foundation of the University of Glasgow herd in 2020. He is committed to contributing to scientific research that will enhance welfare of the ponies and is an extremely positive advocate of the conservation and future development of the Exmoor pony population. He has served as a Trustee of the EPS since 2021.

Dr Sue Baker BSc (Hons) PhD. Sue gained a first-class Honours Degree in Botany and Zoology from Leeds University in 1974. Her doctorate, for a study of the ecology of the free-living Exmoor (Exeter University), was awarded in 1980. The main themes were habitat use, home ranges, diet and breeding performance. She has written books and lectured on the ponies’ natural history and

the history of the breed and participated in various television interviews and documentaries. Sue has been a member of the EPS since 1974, serving as a Trustee /committee member many times, and as both Chairman and President. In recognition of her contribution, she was made an Honorary Life Vice-President in 2016. Sue is currently part of the team implementing the society’s Exmoor Pony Gene Bank Project and is also archiving the EPS’s large photographic collection.

Mrs Deborah Davy BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), Msci.

Deborah has been a member of the EPS and has been breeding ponies on Scorraig, in the North-West of Scotland since 1983.

These ponies run on hill ground proving to be hardy and well adapted to the harsh environmental conditions. She has always been committed to preserving the genetic diversity of the ponies. These interests have led her to study for a PhD at the University of Glasgow, supported by the EPS, investigating the genetics of the Exmoor pony population and their environmental interactions. She is also an EPS judge and foal inspector, former Trustee of the EPS and a recipient of the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s Marsh Christian Award for services to Exmoor ponies.

Blackthorn Poem

Barhill Marigold Dr Philip Davy BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD. Philip is currently a Global Head of Business Development and Senior Scientist at Braizon Theraputics, a biotechnology company based in Tokyo. He also continues research on the genetics of human ageing at the Institute of Biogenesis Research, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii. He has been involved with Exmoor ponies all his life, growing up on Scorraig and being involved with his family’s Herd 21 Exmoor ponies. Philip visited Exmoor herds across the UK and abroad and was involved in all aspects of breeding and managing a hill herd whilst growing up and is an EPS foal inspector. His first degree in biochemistry from St. Andrews led to a MSc in microbiology from the University of Aberdeen and then successful study in stem cell research and bioengineering which led to a PhD from the University of Hawaii.

Philip is very engaged in and committed to supporting research that will ensure that the Exmoor pony population has a secure future.

Ms Gaye Sinclair BVMS, MRCVS. Gaye is a highly experienced veterinary surgeon who has been passionately interested in the breeding and genetic conservation of Exmoor ponies for over 40 years. In the early 1980s, while a vet student at the University of Glasgow, she compiled the matrilineal lines descended from the founder animals recorded in the stud book, work subsequently built on and updated, which has been a foundation of Exmoor breed conservation since its initial release. She is very active in planning breeding that will ensure a genetically diverse and healthy population into the future.

Sue, Deborah and Gaye have all been recipients of the Helen Dashwood

Diary Date: The 2022 AGM, Stallion Parade and NEW Spring Show will take place on the weekend of 7th/8th May.

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | March 2022 Issue | The Native Pony | 55

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DALES

ROUNDUP From Grace Snowdon

DPS Ridden Dales Pony of the Year The Ridden Dales Pony of the Year Final was introduced in 2007. Originally named the ‘Court Farm Ridden Dales Pony of the Year’, which it remained until 2016.

The competition was started thanks to the generous sponsorship of Mr John Knott, a supporter of the Dales Pony Society, and held at the Performance Show annually.

Now simply named the ‘Ridden Dales Pony of the Year Final’, the competition

remains in its original qualifying format.

Champion and Reserve Champion from the following shows qualified for the final; The Spring Stallion and Breed Show, Cumbria Fell and Dales Pony Show, Derbyshire Fell and Dales Pony Show, the Midlands Show, the South Show and the Summer Breed Show. This meant that fourteen ponies were eligible to compete at

the final. This is now eight due to the loss of several shows, including the Midlands Show. The Supreme and Reserve Supreme Ridden ponies now qualify for the final at the Spring and Summer Shows after the introduction of a Supreme Championship in 2016.

Previous winners include the former Horse of the Year Show winner Waterside Ben II, Horse of the Year Show qualifiers Nipna Flora, and Tarbarl Mary Jane as well as the highly versatile Tudor Annie who is a former DPS Summer Show Driven Champion as well as a Ridden Champion. It truly is a competition that celebrates the versatility of the Dales Pony.

Unfortunately, as with many shows across the country, entries have seen quite a sharp decline at the final and in 2016, The Dales Pony Society Centenary year, the Court Farm Final received no entries at all!

In recent years, with a change of venue, including a brief stint at the following years Spring Show, the now ‘Ridden Dales Pony of the Year Final’ is still seeing low on entries with only one pony entered in the 2021 final held at the NPS In hand Show at Kelsall Hill.

2022 sees another venue change for the once highly prestigious competition, this time held at the NCPA Northern Spectacular Show at the Northallerton Equestrian Centre. This year the competition needs your support otherwise the competition will no longer run. With the addition of more qualifying shows, still to be confirmed by the Dales Pony Society, it would be great to see a final packed with quality Dales Ponies, judged by a Dales Pony Society Panel Judge.

2021 Ridden Pony of the Year, Carrock Beauty - 1st Class Images

New Show, hosted by DPS Area 5 and Derbyshire Festival!

This year sees an exciting addition to the Dales Pony Society event calendar. Dales Pony Society Area 5 have introduced a show with the help and support of John Elliott Jnr. Held as part of the hugely popular Derbyshire Festival, the show will take place on Saturday the 11th June at Somerford Park, Cheshire. A central location for those Dales owners and enthusiasts not able to travel to Barnard Castle with their ponies. The Show has a

range of in hand and ridden classes and will be judged by DPS Panel Judge, Miss Anna Pennell. Schedules will be available in April from John Elliott or Val Strong. Please support this show if you can. It is an excellent opportunity to make a weekend ‘break’ of it with your ponies, with a huge range of classes across the whole show including NPS qualifiers and a Dales Pony HOYS qualifier.

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Sally Coles

From Broodmare to Elementary Dressage pony!

Dales ponies can be successful even starting ridden life at the age of nine.

Kimberly Watts tells us about her Dales Pony Westwick Lola.

“In March 2020, Westwick Lola arrived on the Isle of Wight. There had been a mix up when loading the ponies, and we were excitedly waiting for the four-yearold mare, Westwick Rachael II. Westwick Lola, a nine-year-old broodmare arrived instead. As we were stepping into our first lockdown, there was no transportation, so Westwick Lola was here to stay!

I got stuck in giving this pony a new job, a new life, a new chance. As you

can imagine Dales ponies have huge characters and Lola had a few things to say about becoming a ridden pony! She’s so intelligent and so opinionated and really does not like being told what to do!

A slow process, but the most enjoyable and rewarding! We’ve enjoyed so much together from hacking all over the Isle of Wight, to jumping, showing, and beach rides. We have a fun packed summer ahead we are mainly competing in dressage and hope to do our first elementary this summer.”

Rosebarr Ivy Rose Laura Dupré purchased her first Dales Pony, Rosebarr Ivy Rose, as a weanling from her breeder, Dave Sanders in Kent. She was shown by Laura last season as a yearling with many successes resulting in the partnership being awarded sixth place in the mountain and moorland youngstock award at her riding club’s annual awards.

The Dales Pony Society has opened applications for two Education and Training Bursaries.

The bursary will offer financial assistance two young Dales Pony Society members to access further training up to the value of £250 each.

There will be two categories, one for applicants under 18 years old on January 1st, 2022, and one for applicants aged between 18 and 30 on January 1st, 2022.

To be eligible for the bursary, the applicants or their parents must be full members of the Dales Pony Society.

Furthermore, the training must be

completed on a registered Dales pony between the 2022 AGM and the 2023 AGM. Successful applicants will be able to use the bursary to acquire a series of lessons with an instructor in any discipline or a short, intensive course with an approved trainer. They will also be required to submit a short, written report for the Spring and Autumn Dales Pony Despatches updating the society on how the bursary is being used.

For more information, visit www. dalespony.org, or contact Miss Anna

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Got news? Want to see your pony in print?

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CONNEMARA ROUNDUP

From Julia Spacey and Cherry Caddy

This issue’s Connemara roundup comes in the form of a special tribute to Penny Harrieson. Penny and her sister, Anne Harries, who is the current BCPS Chairman, ran the Hayselden stud from the 1970’s.

My Memories of Ridden Connemaras: Especially of the Hayselden Ponies 1976 – 2021 Anne and I bought our first Connemara, Aylesland Silver Secret, in 1976 to bring on for us and the children to ride and hunt and we only started breeding in order to produce another, rather bigger animal for the family to hunt and compete; so at Sheila Inderwick’s suggestion, we bought Secret’s full sister, Aylesland Silver Star, and put her in foal to a TB. The result was my wonderful little hunter, Hayselden Athene. We had always

been mainly interested in breeding for performance but it wasn’t till we bought Sweet Caramelle of Bearwood that we caught the ‘showing bug’ on account of having had such success showing her and her son, Bacchus (by Cocum Hawkstone) in hand.

Lady Duff was another dam of good performance stock. Anne retained two fillies, Artemis and Xenia, and after Xenia’s riding career was over, she put her in foal, and produced two lovely duns: Odysseus who is just starting his ridden career and the mare, Petra, who is going to stud.

Meanwhile during the next eight years, Secret herself proved to be a

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brilliant hunter both for my daughter, Juliet, and I. Juliet also competed her successfully, in working hunter pony classes, showjumping and Pony Club team events, (cross-country being her specialty). Eventually, she retired to stud and lived with Bacchus for many years, producing some very successful ponies, for example: her son, Hayselden Perseus, excelled as a driving and ridden stallion in the States in addition to siring many useful ponies, and another son, Orion, after a triumphant couple of years in the show ring with Julia Woods came home and gave me many happy hunting years.

Bacchus was already at the very top of the in hand stallion ratings but it takes a good deal longer for a stallion to make his name for ridden stock; however he gradually crept right up the stallion performance ratings, gaining the Parry Trophy for winning the most points gained by his progeny over ten years in succession. This he managed not only because he was usually represented by least three or four ponies, but thanks greatly to Bletchenden Fanfare (out of Bulcamp Luck Penny) and Oakenwood Dionysus (out of Monkslane Mrs Noah), two particularly brilliant working hunter and eventing ponies who took part in the PAS scheme. Dionysus competed mainly in the Riding Club world, and Fanfare represented GB internationally in the British Junior Eventing Team. In those days, eventing at that level included four stages: dressage, roads and tracks, steeplechase, cross-country and showjumping.

Not only did Bacchus sire successful purebreds but he was in addition represented by two winners of the part-bred section of the PAS scheme, Persephone and her daughter, Themis.

Her close relative Selene was another very good Bacchus part bred, excelling particularly in the hunting field and travelling all over the country to different packs.

We had so much fun traipsing round the country to the various events that these ponies and horses were competing in, even going to Ireland twice to see Fanfare eventing internationally in the FEI team. Once we went to Tweseldown when both Fanfare and Persephone were there, both competing at Intermediate level, Fanfare (by special permission) having one of his forays into the horse eventing world. Due to the success of his eventing ponies and horses, Bacchus was invited to parade at Burghley Horse Trials. Another very proud memory we have is of the Connemara Stallion Parade in 2003, when he appeared in the ring with both of his top eventing ponies!

I have been talking about performance ponies, but must not overlook the ordinary family pony who gives so much to so many children in the course of its life. All four of the performance ponies that we kept for ourselves right up to the end, i.e. Secret, Cheviot Campion, Orion were ridden not only by Anne and I, but by our own children and grandchildren, as well as those belonging to other families. My

Bletchenden Fanfare with Daniel Megson most poignant memories of our ponies will always be of Orion taking our grandson James aged eight Autumn hunting, and of Thetis looking after him at a little local show, competing in everything, guessing where the next jump was and coming home smothered in rosettes…

This article was written in 2021, ten years after Penny had a freak accident whilst out hacking on Thetis. The pony tripped on a small tree root and nearly came down resulting in Penny falling off and suffering a C3 fracture to her spine which left her tetraplegic.

Pennys’ courage and resilience following her accident was extraordinary. Never self-pitying and always optimistic, she maintained her interest in the ponies and enjoyed following hounds in her four-wheel drive buggy.

Penny died peacefully on 4th March 2022 Penny and Orion

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