FRIENDS OF THE HILL PONIES OF WALES SPRING 2023

Glanusk Super Premium Champion 2022

In this issue:

• Show dates for 2023

• Eppynt Shot from the hills of the Eppynt to a land down under

• Welsh Mountain Ponies The Importance of the Hill

• Commons Defined Areas

Cemaes Hyderus

Judges:

Old photographs & articles are most welcome

If you want any old photographs or articles printed please send them to:colin.thomas18@btinternet.com

Keep up to date with all the latest information – follow us on Facebook @ The friends of the Hill Ponies of Wales

• Commons Hill Pony Improvement Societies locations

• Penllech Ponies on Lower Eppynt

• Section A SemiFeral Welsh Mountain Ponies

• Annual Hill Pony Improvement Society Semi-feral Foal Inspection

• In Memory

Patron: The Hon. Mrs ESJ Legge-Bourke DCVO

Sire: Dyfed Prophet Dam: Silian Harmony - Glanusk Super Premium Champion 2022 with Kevin Davies (EPPYNT)

L/R Gareth Price and Dylan Rees.

Photo: courtesy of EquinePix Photography

SPRING 2023

Foreword

Welcome to the first edition of our e newsletter. We trust that you will enjoy the contents of this new venture. This e newsletter is an attempt to carry on the excellent work that the previous paper based version achieved and which was well received by breeders and followers of the Welsh Mountain Pony.

An increase in printing and production costs has prevented the continuation of a paper based version.

Our hopes are that this new online version will reach a wider audience and build more relationships through the use of social media. It will also be a platform for sharing expertise and increasing our visibility worldwide by overcoming barriers of distance and time, in that it can be accessed anywhere and anytime. It will also give the opportunity to interact with individuals with similar interests.

As this time many people are awaiting, with great anticipation, their foals after what has been a very wet winter, particularly March. We wish you well with this year’s crop of foals.

Proceeds from events and promotions are in aid of the Hill Improvement Societies e newsletter. This is aimed at promoting the preservation of the remaining Welsh Mountain Ponies in their natural environment and publicising the Premium schemes. This e newsletter is self funded and independently produced by a team of unpaid enthusiasts.

Our thanks are also extended to WP&CS Trustees who have welcomed this new initiative and the Company Secretary, Office Manager and staff for their help in promoting the e-newsletter.

Notices:

Any copying of articles and photographs will need the permission of the copyright owner(s)© The Friends of The Hill Pony of Wales 2023.

Views of contributors are personal opinions and not necessarily the opinions of the editor or committee. The editor reserves the right to edit any article.

Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to:

Lettie Francis of the Cui Stud

Sallie Goggin of the Penboeth Stud

Contributors and Advertisers

Show Dates for 2023

Dowlais Pony Improvement Society 47th Annual Horse Show Sec. Sallie Goggin 01685 375116

Blaenavon and District Silver Medal Show to be held at Usk Showground - Contact our Facebook page

Severn Valley Association Summer Show. To be held at Powis Castle Showground, Welshpool, SY21 8RF Contact: email svalley1985@hotmail.com

Llanrhidian Show Sec. Donna Williams 07725 560927

Minsterley Show. To be held at Lea Cross, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY5 8HX. Contact: 07778 708126

Gower Foal show Sec. Alison Grove 07966 847111

Saturday June 3rd

Sunday June 18th

Saturday June 3rd

Sunday July 2nd

Saturday August 19th

Sunday October 1st

Eppynt Shot from the hills of the Eppynt to a land down under

It is a long story. Denise and I had been searching for nearly 2 years for a Welsh Mountain pony stallion to mate to our 9 mares, most of which are by Fronbach Tywysog Cymru (deceased).

Our aims and criteria were a good breeding program, type, conformation, and movement; all equally important.

At that time in Wales I saw many different types of Welsh Mountain Ponies in varying conditions and in diverse environments. I was fortunate to meet and speak to many local breeders. Their knowledge, often passed on from generation to generation, was profound. I learnt much and was guided by their statements when choosing our stallion. I can still hear Welsh voices in my head patiently explaining that a Welsh Mountain Pony must be ‘Welsh’, it must be a ‘mountain pony’. It is more than a beautiful pony, more than a good mover.

After many conversations with Kevin Davies, John went over to Glanusk Show in 2008 where Shot was competing and won.

We purchased Shot and the long journey started, vet checks, injections, isolation at Eppynt for six weeks, quarantine in UK for four weeks and three weeks quarantine in Australia before arriving at our place.

Such a beautiful kind pony with his mares and us but could be a little quirky at times. He passed on his wonderful temperament to all his progeny.

We had seen the CDs of the Hill Pony Open Day stallion Parades over the years and saw Eppynt Shot in one of them. We just liked the look of him.

Wales is a beautiful country, I have met so many helpful and pleasant people during my visits there. Eppynt Shot has been our reference point for the Welsh Mountain Pony.

We have so much to enjoy from his progeny.

We look back and realise how fortunate we were to have Shot here in Australia, to see him every morning as we looked out over our paddocks.

Sadly, we lost Shot in August 2016 with cancer and kidney failure.

Eppynt Shot - Sire: Criccieth Aron, Dam: Eppynt Snap Shotwith Kevin at Glanusk.

Eppynt Shot - arriving at our place

Alianna Sinatra, gelding - free jumping loves doing it and entertains 3 children at pony club.

Alianna Apache Cat, gelding foal. Sire: Eppynt Shot, Dam: Alianna Highland Princess - Sire Carnalw Hyderus(imp).

Eppynt Shot in paddock

Alianna Hot Shot, gelding - Glengwin Merrion her Sire Imperial Playboy

Alianna Raggamuffin – Eppynt Shot x Alianna Muffin, Sire: FronbachTywysog Cymru(imp)

We have his son as our stallion, Alianna Mr.Darcy. Eppynt Shot x Alianna Gee Wizz her sire Waxwing Herod (Imp) has produced some beautiful stock so the story continues.

Yearling filly granddaughter of Eppynt Shot – Dam: Alianna Wizz Willow Sire: Alianna Mr Darcy Dam: Alianna Gee Wizz.

John Tate

Welsh Mountain Ponies

The importance of the hill Dr Donna Davys

Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University.

We raise our ponies on the hill - and the mountains, moors and marshes of Wales. As owners and breeders, we know the beneficial effect of this on our herds. With the freedom to roam, they become skilled, capable and clever, able to find their own resources and take care of themselves. These tough environments craft the toughest ponies, who are then able to pass on genes for health and resilience to their stunning foals. We have long, and rightly, sung their praises.

However, during these times of biodiversity loss and agricultural challenge should we sing about a few more of their benefits? For instance, ponies have a range of physical and behavioural adaptations that mean the way in which they graze is different from sheep and cattle. They can maintain higher levels of forage intake that enables them to support themselves on poorer quality vegetation. Their upper incisors allow them to continue grazing grasslands long after cattle (who have a dental pad instead) have moved on to taller swards. This means that ponies can be useful when there is a need to reduce the dominance of plant species avoided by more selective animals like sheep. A good example of this is bracken. Many have witnessed ponies rolling on bracken, breaking it and eating the young shoots. They can’t eat much because bracken is toxic but they make enough of a difference to minimise the spread of bracken. Indeed, many have commented that the loss of the ponies from certain areas has resulted in an increase in scrub growth.

The growth of scrub has several detrimental consequences. Dead foliage considerably increases fire risk. Dense scrub is difficult for humans and stock animals to walk through, and paths are often lost. Scrub leads to an increased risk of tick-borne diseases reducing safety and access for tourists and walkers. This could be remedied by machinery, but not all areas are accessible to machinery and who will pay the bill to keep thousands of hectares scrub free? The

ponies do it for free, and do it slowly, cutting the scrub and grass to different heights – supporting different species. Whereas a mower only produces one height and doesn’t give time for insects to relocate to other areas if they need to. No grass can grow underneath these stands so that land is lost to agricultural production as sheep and cattle can’t graze it. Continuous scrub also decreases species richness and biodiversity with the potential consequence of local species loss. There are also implications for climate change, as it is now understood that increased plant biodiversity results in increased soil organic carbon storage. In addition, over grazing with one stock animal, such as sheep, results in a shorter sward, with reduced root depth and increased soil erosion. This can lead to lakes and rivers becoming silted, increasing flood risks, but it also reduces soil’s ability to hold and store carbon. Ponies, as part of mixed grazing regimes, can help reduce all of these risks.

So we need these ponies on the hill to improve the agricultural and ecological quality of our uplands, to help address biodiversity loss and climate change, to provide an accessible landscape for tourists and be a genetic pool from which the lowland breeding community can draw to improve the health and resilience of their stock. So, a few more praises to sing then?

Link to a short film - https://youtu.be/tHN4VHQNCWk

https://www.iwa.wales/agenda/2023/02/welsh-uplandponies/

Commons Defined Areas

Commons Hill Pony Improvement Societies locations

Penllech Ponies on Lower Eppynt

The first foundation Penllech mares were registered by my late grandfather Austin Cadwgan Jones of Penllech Farm Maesmynis, which is where I write this article from. These were foaled in 1944, their sire being the premium stallion Duhonw Emperor. They originated from a herd left to him by his grandfather James Jones of neighbouring Cwm-Bwch farm, which had grazed the Eppynt common for many decades before.

Cwm-Bwch, which we still farm, was where the Jones family originally moved to in 1905 after spending 10 years in London running a dairy shop. At Cwm-Bwch several draft type stallions were kept, where it is said up to 100 hill mares would visit each year from neighbouring farms in order to breed sought-after pit-ponies.

1950’s and with much anguish to my grandfather 25 mares had to be sold, the remaining were moved to the adjoining Lower Eppynt common which is not military owned.

Numbers built up again between the 50’s and early 70’s, with many fillies sold through the Cwm Owen sales held at the Griffin Inn on Lower Eppynt, where to this day Penllech mares graze outside. Colt foals being sold the day before at the Llanafan sales.

Austin’s other grandfather, Cadwgan Powell, at nearby Neuadd Blaenduhonw farm also grazed mares on the Eppynt and was registering them using the Honw prefix prior to the first world war.

Penllech ponies originally grazed the part of the Eppynt which was acquired by the military as a training range in 1940. After years of MOD rules banning ponies grazing on the Eppynt being flouted, the military cracked down in the early

Like many other breeders of hill ponies, from the 1980’s onwards numbers were allowed to dwindle. Having fond early memories of gathering the hill with my grandfather and selling foals at the old market in Brecon, it was decided to bolster the herd with the purchase of young mares from

Penllech hill ponies in the 1960’s

Mares going back to the hill after Microchipping the foals

Penllech mares grazing on Lower Eppynt, present day

the Hafdre stud in 2012. These were bred to Rhydgwillim Micky and the premium stallions Afan Cloudy and Dolderwydd Mascot, producing the majority of Penllech hill mares today. Special thanks have to be given to Roger Davies (Hafdre), Dennis Price (Afan) and the late Reggie Bowen (Rhydgwillim) for parting with both valuable bloodlines and knowledge, which has been influential in shaping the current herd.

The present-day herd is kept on the open hill all year round. During the winter supplementary energy/mineral blocks are offered to the mares, these are placed in feed troughs located in the gathering pen. This makes gathering much easier and helps keep the mares to our patch of the hill. Twice a year the herd is walked down off the hill to Penllech farm. Firstly, to microchip foals and collect DNA samples, and then later to wean, halter break and socialise the foals. Those not being retained are sold throughout the autumn and winter, with some of the colts kept on to be sold as gelded three-year olds.

It is of great pleasure to observe the ponies in their natural habitat, noting how they choose different parts of the hill depending on the weather, or where the best forage is. Before the cattlegrid was installed, it was not unknown for my grandfather needing to retrieve mares that fancied a winter down in Builth Wells on the Groe!

Looking to the future, I have recently started venturing into the showring with Penllech ponies, and like to dream I may have some success in the years to come.

Edwin Jones

Foals being sold at Brecon Fair Day 2022, helped here by Ffion Price of (Troedybryn).

Penllech Megan, by Afan Cloudy

Penllech mares by Afan Cloudy drinking from Blackpool Lake

SevernValleyWPCA

3annualshows

Regularsocialevenings

Showingandriddenclinics

Annualstudtrip

SVSummerShowtobeheldon

Saturday3rdJuneatPowis

CastleShowground,Welshpool.

Over100 classesincludingWPCSBronzeStatusforWelsh

SectionsA,B,C,D&Part-Bred,WelshRidden,in-hand& riddenNPSclasses

SchedulesavailablefromearlyApril

FindusonFacebook,'SevernValleyWPCA' or emailsvalley1985@hotmailcomfordetailsof showsandevents

Section A Semi-Feral Welsh Mountain Ponies

The origin of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society Stud Book was formed by the hill ponies.

The Hill Improvement Societies represent ponies that potentially provide a highly unique genetic resource. These include hardy adaptations to specific environmental features which domestic horses or imported ponies may not express.

Centuries of harsh conditions have ensured the sound constitution of the Welsh Mountain Ponies. The importance of retaining these genetic lines is imperative to the breed. Proven conservation grazers, they are vital to the landscape of upland Wales and other nutrient poor lowland areas including designated conservation areas. This native breed is also vital for our culture and historical heritage.

Small (under 12 hands) hardy and lightweight, Welsh Mountain (Section A) ponies are thrifty feeders that can thrive on poor quality forage; they eat coarser grasses rather than flowering plants and rarely eat heather, which is a priority habitat in both upland and lowland Wales. Their grazing habits can encourage rare flower species by opening up overgrown areas.

Ponies brought from improved grazing may take time to adjust to the inferior diet of conservation sites, unlike hill bred ponies. It follows that they will require more supervision than their upland cousins at least in the early stages. It is a hardy and adaptable breed, which can thrive in the harshest conditions. Mares may lose condition in late pregnancy.

Supplementary feed is only recommended in extreme winter conditions. Registered Welsh ponies will normally adapt to seasonal grazing. Their thicker winter coat allows them to withstand exposure to the harsh weather conditions, and their behavioural patterns will predict storms and blizzards a day before and find suitable shelter.

Semi-Feral Welsh Mountain Ponies are rarely handled but are suitable for public access sites, provided there is sufficient scope for them to move away from people and dogs.

The public perception of the Welsh Mountain pony is of a graceful and beautiful breed. Visitors from across the world view and photograph the ponies in their natural environment

Colin Thomas

Kevin Morris

Example - Criban Socks x Criban Shot x Criban Forest Lass - Photo W W Rouch

The WPCS Welsh Mountain Pony Breed Description

Not exceeding 121.9 cm (12.0 hands)

Section A of the Stud Book

General Character

Hardy, spirited and pony-like

Colour

Any colour, except piebald and skewbald

Head

Small, clean-cut, well set on and tapering to the muzzle

Eyes

Bold

Ears

Well placed, small and pointed, well up on the head, proportionately close

Nostrils

Prominent and open

Jaws and Throat

Clean and finely-cut, with ample room at the angle of the jaw

Neck

Lengthy, well carried and moderately lean in the case of mares, but inclined to be cresty in the case of mature stallions

Shoulders

Long and sloping well back. Withers moderately fine, but not "knifey". The humerus upright so that the foreleg is not set in under the body.

Forelegs

Set square and true, and not tied in at the elbows. Long, strong forearm, well developed knee, short flat bone below knee, pasterns of proportionate slope and length, feet well shaped and round, hoofs dense.

Back and Loins

Muscular, strong and well coupled

Girth

Deep Ribs Well sprung

Hind Quarters

Lengthy and fine. Not ragged or goose-rumped. Tail well set on and carried gaily. Hind Legs Hocks to be large, flat, and clean with points prominent, to turn neither inwards nor outwards. The hind legs not to be too bent. The hock not to be set behind a line from the point of the quarter to the fetlock joint. Pasterns of proportionate slope and length. Feet well shaped, hoofs dense

Action

Quick, free and straight from the shoulder and hocks well flexed with straight and powerful leverage and well under the body.

Annual Hill Pony Improvement Society

Semi-feral Foal Inspection

The annual Hill Pony Improvement Society semiferal foal inspection took place at Brecon Market on Saturday December 3rd 2022 with only 5 societies forwarding foals.

18 fillies were entered and 17 foals actually forwarded on the day with 4 colts entered and 3 forwarded. These were inspected by Mr Gareth Price (Littlewern) and Mr Dylan Rees (Pennant) who had also judged the Premium Stallions at Glanusk earlier in the year.

Those foals considered to be of breed standard were awarded premiums. There are 23 premiums in total that can be awarded made up of 20 fillies and 3 colts.

8 of the best foals are then selected to be DNA profiled. Many thanks must be extended to Mrs Betty French and Mrs Mary Redvers for their generosity in funding the DNA profiling. This was possible due to the funds they raised during their special year as President’s of the WP&CS. Thank you ladies.

It was also pleasing to note that there were foals present who were the progeny of mares who had previously been inspected as part of the scheme. 4year old mares can also be inspected on the same day or home visits arranged. There was only 1 mare presented, that being Llanfilo Amber’s Bride.

All foals and colts were sired by Premium or Super Premium stallions and the Llanfilo foals were sired by Llanfilo Amber’s Replica. Penycrug and Braghty foals were sired by Braghty Jayzee. Blaencila and Seaview foals were sired by Ffermymorlais Bow. The Crimond foals were sired by Synod King Cup or Penboeth Mask. The Blaenau foal was sired by Penboeth Vegas and the Ffermymorlais and Tymorlais foals by Ffermymorlais Tramp.

Many thanks to McCartney’s for allowing the market to be used to host the event and Liz Davies from Honddu Vets for undertaking the DNA profiling. It was also pleasing to note the support of some Trustees and President Dennis Price. Meirion and Gemma of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society must also be thanked for organising the day.

Champion Semi-feral filly foal Crimond Super-Nova

Photo: Donna Williams

Semi-feral Foals under Inspection -

Photo: Donna Williams

In Memory

It is with deep sadness that we note and pay tribute to the following Welsh Mountain Pony breeders who have passed away over recent times.

Bill Pounder – Putwell

Bill Collins – Penual

Lewis Edwards – Maesgwyn

G Williams – Twyn yr Arain Farm, Llechrhyd

Evan Jones – Gilfach

Mostyn Jones – Twyn

David Howells – Dowlais

Granville Williams – Carno

They all had one thing in common and that was a love for the Welsh Mountain Pony.

Our sincere condolences go to all family members and friends. They will be sorely missed.