Native Pony June 2023 (160)

JUNE 2023 ISSUE 160

Natives at the Voltaire Designs Badminton Grassroots Championships

At home with the Hisley Stud

Penstrumbly Calon Lan in the Spotlight info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 1

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2 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

MADE IN OUR OWN

UK MILL

A word from our editor Dear Reader, At last, summer is just a hop, skip and jump away. Although, today’s clouds are not filling me with too much hope of putting away my waterproofs just yet.

Windsor Horse Show was a complete triumph despite the mud, and I believe the native sections were stronger than ever with yet more classes on offer. Well done to everyone who did well. I have to say, I was especially proud of my mares coming home home with a champion and a reserve.

RIHS qualifiers are almost at an end, and there seems to have been the usual scramble for tickets. Meanwhile, several native HOYS tickets have been awarded.

Recently I placed a post on my own social media account appealing to the masses for examples of natives engaging in disciplines other than showing. The response was overwhelming and I received almost 100 emails! Once again, I don’t have enough room to do them all justice in this issue and I have some fantastic leads to follow up for the next few. Thank you to everyone who contacted me.

I feel in awe of some of you and your ponies.

I deliberated what to put on the cover this time, but really, there was only one event for me: the Voltaire Designs Grassroots Championships at Badminton. The ponies and riders remain a source of inspiration for me, especially when planning breeding programmes.

As ever, please do keep me in the loop on what you are up to with your natives, from fundraising trekks to Badminton Grassroots, horseball, to showjumping, endurance and dressage. Not only is it a pleasure to read about them, but an honour to share your successes. My email address is beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk In the meantime, happy reading.

Beth

Sponsorship Packages available for 2023 Contact beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk today!

OUR VALUED PARTNERS info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 3

Contents Features 8.

Farming and Native ponies

14. BSPS Winter Championships 17. Badminton Grassroots 21. Windsor Horse Show

Regulars 36. Ruth on the Hoof 42. In the Spotlight: Penstrumbly Calon Lan

32

46. Fell Roundup

17

37

21

COVER PHOTO: Photo by 1st Class Images. Galtee Kassy Cashel Girl ridden by Annabel Ridgway 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.

4 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

In 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 2023. 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, recording or otherwise without prior written permission of Showing World Limited.

P E R F O R M A N C E

P ONIES

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

Majestic’s Winning Moves

How great does this guy look at the NAF Five Star Winter dressage Championships held at Hartpury at the end of April? Hannah Brock’s thirteen year old Welsh Section D Llanarth Magestic – or “ASBO cob” as he’s affectionately known to Hannah! – won the Petplan Equine novice bronze championship ridden by Sophie Lawson. Though relatively new to dressage, the pair scored an admirable 72.22% to take the win from a field of 40. Magestic was bred by the Bigley family by Llanarth Prince of Wales out of Llanarth Nesta. He was purchased

by Hannah as a two-year-old and was broken in to ride by former showing producer Matthew Lawrence. He was later shown by Samantha Roberts, qualifying for RIHS. Hannah explained that he was always kept at home and ridden by Sophie Lawson, who is a full time as a cardiac Physiologist in Bristol. “We decided to have a go at dressage and managed some really good scores and things progressed from there,” said Hannah. The team then headed to the NPS Dressage Finals a few weeks later, maintaining the momentum to secure a second and a first place.

Llanarth Majestic

Meanwhile Connemara pony Slieve Rushen Frank (Fitzpatrick x Monaghanstown Dromore Grey), bred by Tony Maguire, won the Petplan Equine Area Novice bronze Under-21 Festival final ridden by Gabriella Kozersky. The pair have had a superb start to 2023 with a BE100 placing as well as securing a RIHS 153cm working hunter pony ticket at the BSPS Area 7 Early Spring Festival.

Going the Distance!

Thorngate Free Spirit

We absolutely love this photos of Welsh section D Thorngate Free Spirit (Buddy) and his owner Leanne Scott completing their first ever endurance ride at Tentsmuir Beach and Forest, a ride of 27K. He is sired by the uber successful Menai Thomas, who had a fantastic career in the showring. So, it’s little wonder that in the year that she’s owned him, Leanne and Buddy have tried a hand at showing successfully with three championships accumulated on their first ever attempt. They’ve also tried ‘a bit of everything’ else. But Leanne thinks his foray into endurance might just be “his most favourite activity to date,” adding, “We were actually a little too fast as we enjoyed ourselves too much!”

Meanwhile, endurance aficionados Sally Rowe and her Highland pony Brownbread Easter Rabbit kicked off her sixth Endurance season in March with a 41k at the Forest Dean. She ended 2022 as the third highest ranked native pony with Endurance GB – behind two Connemaras – and the highest ranked Highland. Isn’t she fabulous?

Brownbread Easter Rabbit

Don’t forget to keep us up to date with your performance news!

Email us at beth.simons@showingworldonline.co.uk info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 5

Rachel and mum, Heather, with Cathedine Sweet Dreams and Lanesweet Sugar Plum

Sisters Sarah and Rachel armed with their cameras

Sarah Lane runs EquinePix alongside her sister, Rachel. As well as personal stud visits, Sarah and Rachel can be found snapping competitors or participants at shows and country events. We catch up with Sarah to find out more…

Native Pony: When did you develop a passion for photography?

From a very young age, we used to take a camera to shows when our family we’re showing the ponies, we used to just snap away and go through them all afterwards. Not realising at the time that practice makes perfect! And then it became central during our college studies.

NP: How did you come to focus on equine photography?

It kind of just happened after leaving college, when you enjoy taking pictures and then love horses putting the two together just made sense. We are very lucky to now be heading towards our 11th year since the start of our business, we have some very loyal clients who have been with us since the beginning and also two members of the team who joined us shortly after who are also still with us now.

NP: You seem to have a particular love of Welsh ponies. Where does that come from?

We certainly do! In between work, our family based in Herefordshire run our own small stud, the Lanesweet Stud, breeding Welsh Mountain Ponies. Although we don’t get much time to show our own stock when we do have a day off,

6 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

we usually try to get one of our own to a show!

Along with showing in hand, our homebred stallion came out under saddle last season, which was really exciting. Especially having such a good first season going novice champion a few time! So as competitors ourselves we understand how important it is at the end of the day to have a good image of your horse or pony.

NP: What are the pros and cons of being a show photographer?

For us, the pros are when you manage to capture an image that is really special and captures memories that mean a lot to people. The cons are having to be at shows very early and sometimes we work very long days, often without any food or toilet breaks...

NP: Do you have any favourite showring moments?

That’s a hard one as their has been so many! There have been a few people (who we won’t name) who qualified for HOYS and their reactions were rather brilliant and funny!

NP: Do you get asked the same questions by competitors over and over?

People quite often ask if we go through all the pictures at the end of the day and just keep the best ones…But pretty much every time we click the button you will get to see the result. If the handler can be removed from the photo is also quite a popular question!

Rachel showing stallion, Lanesweet Sugar Dash

NP: Is there something you wished competitors knew?

Try not to stand or run right on top of the photographer; you’re not making for a flattering image. Instead, try to give yourselves a little room.

NP: Is there a horse or pony from the past you would have loved to have photographed?

Not a particular one as we have already been so lucky to have photographed some of the horses and ponies we already have. But as a Welsh Pony and Cob enthusiast, it would be really interesting to go back 40+ years and see the Welsh ponies and cobs at shows such as Royal Welsh; to see how different not only photographing them might be, but also how the breeds themselves have changed.

To view their photos or find out more about booking the sisters for an event or Stud Visit, visit EquinePix Photography’s website: www.equinepix.co.uk Rachel showing Cathedine Sweet Dreams at the Royal Welsh

Rachel showing Cathedine Sweet Dreams with colt 2023 foal (now stallion) Sugar Dash info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June Issue | TheLanesweet Native Pony |7

Fell mares and foal on the fell (photo by Fleur Hallam)

Farming and Native ponies

By Libby Robinson, Chair of the Fell Pony Heritage Trust When you think of the native ponies we’ve the pleasure of owning, do you stop from time to time to reflect on their heritage? Do you think about their grand-sires and granddams? Consider that all ponies have a family pedigree? That their parentage is the mixed result of history?

Many stallions and mares in your pony’s pedigree spent their lives in a breeding herd on the hills or moors of their native region within the British Isles or Ireland, only being shown a handful of times as a youngster at some local shows.

But in the instance of the Fell pony, most showing Stallions of the present day are not used for breeding, and these are bloodlines are lost if they do not have a full brother also as a registered stallion being used for breeding. Good broodmares will stay on the fell with their breeders all their lives, hopefully producing 8 - 12 foals in their lifetime before being looked after to spend their retirement in the lowland pastures.

The Fell Pony Heritage Trust aims to preserve the Fell 8 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

pony breeding herds in their Cumbrian landscape, and help to highlight the importance they play in preserving the landscapes they live in.

Fell ponies are a major part of our Cumbrian heritage which has given a natural environment for these wild ponies. Yet the Fell breed is under threat and is categorized by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as ‘at risk’, but even more critical is the natural surrounding that the ponies live in, which is at even greater risk.

These high inhospitable moorlands offer the ponies a unique sanctuary essential for the breed’s survival. Unfortunately, bureaucracy is the biggest single danger to the Fell Pony and other native pony breeds, this is why they need to be incorporated into their landscape through farming.

The life cycle of the hill bred Fell Pony follows the farming year as the ponies are now the missing link to hill farming and the local economy.

A Fell pony working the land in the 1950s

Happy Fell in April ‘23 (photo by Fleur Hallam)

Have you ever thought of your native pony taking the winter off to be part of a conservation grazing project and go back to their roots?

A pony friendly routine could be established with natural grazing projects on farms where owners of single ponies could group together for a group of six ponies grazing to help nature from October to March. Our ponies would be much healthier as well with a natural weight balance over winter.

Spotlight on the Hisley Stud Can you give us an introduction about you and your involvement with the Dartmoor Pony? Who else in the family was involved?

Both my twin sister, Ann and I had six months training (at different establishments), gaining our BHSAI certificates, going on to work in several different showing stables, a top racing stable and in Ann’s case, the Warwickshire Hunt Kennel stables. In addition, Mother bred pedigree Cardigan Corgi’s, a rare breed of dog, which we showed pretty successfully. In fact, one bitch she bred, Gleghonie Blackthorn, won best bitch in breed at Crufts four times in five years and was the record holder in the breed for some time. So we took our knowledge of breeding a rare breed of dog to breeding a rare breed of pony. Ever since leaving school, our ambition had been to breed ponies eventually.

When did you first become involved with Dartmoor ponies?

We first saw Dartmoors at the Royal Show at Blackpool and then worked in different showing establishments to get experience with different breeds of natives and riding ponies.

What was the reason behind the formation of the Hisley stud?

It was always our ambition to breed top ponies in whatever breed we chose. Father and Mother retired to Devon and as we already agreed, Dartmoors were the best looking Natives and a rare breed as well. Dartmoors were the choice.

What do you look for in a pony and why?

Conformation, movement and type are what I look for in any animal because that is the basic of any breed.

Tell us about the ponies who were part of the foundation of the Hisley stud. Who were they?

In the Autumn of 1958, Ann was helping Miss Ferguson out between staff when Miss Calmady-Hamlyn rang. She said she had to sell some ponies, including Jenson, that years Supreme Champion at the Dartmoor Pony Show. Covering the phone, Miss Ferguson told Ann about Jenson and his price, saying “You have until the end of this conversation to make up your mind.”

Ann thought fast and said “Yes,” so that was how the Hisley Stud started. With our knowledge of breeding dogs and knowing that Jenson was related to Jude (actually a double grandson), we decided to look for distant or unrelated fillies to put to him. The first pony we bought was a two year old filly, due to foal, called Oatlands Appley Dapply and she duly foaled a filly by Oatlands Timmy Tiptoes, a result of leaving yearling colts and fillies running together for too long. The following year in 1960 we bought Dunnabridge Wigeon from Newman Caunter (identical breeding to Jenson, but unrelated) who bred Hisley Woodcock,

by Jenson, in 1962 and Heather Queen, aged 2, from John Holman, a very sweet, nicely made but rather slight pony who we sold on as a 5 year old. However in 1968 we bought her daughter, Sweetie Pie, from whom the Hisley S line descends. In 1961 we managed to purchase the roan mare Queenie XXIII, aged 13 from her breeder John White (all the P line go back to her) and her daughter Penny II, aged 4 in 1964. Hele Judith II, aged 14 and her daughter Blachford Brandween, aged 8 (C line), were not purchased until 1970 when W ing Commander Passy gave up breeding. Colin and Margaret Furness were also looking for mares and fillies so we told them about Blachford Greta (Brandween’s daughter and Hisley Caviar’s half sister) who became very influential in the Senruf stud. Other ponies were bought but didn’t prove so influential. If a pony had already produced good stock, we never minded about their age, e.g., Queenie XXIII aged 13 and Hele Judith aged 14.

Which ponies have gone on to be most influential on the stud?

The most influential ponies in the stud were Hisley Woodcock and his son Hisley Salvo, both three times Supreme at the DPS, Salvo’s son Teignhead King of Clubs, Allendale Flauros whom we bought as a yearling and Cawsand Thunder aged 8 in 1989 whom came straight off the Moor. The aforementioned Heather Queen/ Sweetie Pie, Queenie XXIII and Hele Judith II were influential among the mares.

Who would have been your all time favourite mare and why?

The late Ann Jones with Hisley Woodcock winning the Shalbourne Cup at the NPS Champs. Tish Roberts in the background.

10 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

I think my all time favourite was Champion Hisley Solitaire. She was very sweet natured and trusting and

Photos supplied by Tish Roberts

try as she might, her mother, Champion Hisley Serenade (out of Sweetie Pie, a very strong minded lady) could not persuade Solitaire to take over control of the mares from her!

Solly was far too sweet and trusting to boss anyone and tragically died as a result of a broken jaw. She was also three times Supreme at the DPS.

Can you tell us about how the ponies were kept on the farm at Lower Hisley?

All the stallions and colts lived in but went out for exercise most days individually. They spent about three months through the winter living out together. Never turn only two out together as they will spend all their time having battles. Always turn out three or more as the third one gets jealous and joins in breaking up the fight! The yearling fillies and colts spent their first spring together inside (they were never weaned until the New Year) and if being shown, the Summer as well. The mares, foals and fillies 16 months plus lived out year round except when they came in for worming, when they stayed in for 5 days to make sure all the worms had cleared the system, before going back out to grass. This would happen twice a year or more often if required. All mares and fillies, two years and over, were shown straight from the field. They were brought in for a feed for five consecutive days before a show and had their manes and tails cleaned the day before. Grooming was done on show day.

What is your stand out memory from your time with Dartmoor Ponies?

My stand out memory would be winning our first Star Show Breed Championship with a homebred pony, which we did with Hisley Woodcock at the Dartmoor Pony Show in 1966.

Woodcock had been sold to Mr. Horrell (who owned and bred Midget V, a previous DPS Supreme Champion) as a yearling as we owned his sire, Jenson. In July 1966, Mr Shillibeer told us Woodcock was top show standard and we should go and look at him. We went to look at him but the only way Mr. Horrell would part with him was to do a clean swap with Cawsand Cavalier, that year's Devon County breed Champion. 5 ½ weeks later, Hisley Woodcock went Supreme at the Dartmoor Pony Show. It had taken us 5 years to win our first Star Show championship with a homebred pony and we achieved it at the DPS!

Spotlight on the Hisley Stud

Cecil cup for the Champion M&M Brood Mare at the National Pony Society Summer Show in 1985 with Hisley Caviar and 1987 with Hisley Polonaise.

Hisley ponies have gone on to become the foundation of lots of other studs. Can you tell us about some of them?

Hisley ponies have almost certainly helped found other studs but I couldn’t tell you which ones. All I can claim is that some Hisley ponies have certainly made their mark on the studs they went to, such as Hisley Craftsman and Hisley Pedlar. Hisley Craftsman was spotted at the Southern Dartmoor Show by John Jordan when he was only three months old and moved to Moortown that Autumn, spending the rest of his life there. His influence on the stud and the breed since then has been legendary. Hisley Pedlar, on the other hand, didn’t move to Langfield till he was six and already a breed champion. I was always very proud of the fact that though he wasn’t broken till he was 9, the following year he qualified for the Supreme Ridden M&M Champiosnship at Olympia.Brilliant breaking in and brilliant temperament.

In your eyes, how has the Dartmoor Pony changed over the years? ….. and what changes would you like to see?

On the whole, very little, but there is a tendency to lighter bone, probably as a result of the increase in ridden classes judged by all breed judges. Ears have also tended to grow with the years!

Seriously though, I would prefer stronger bone and smaller ears in the breed as a whole.

In hindsight, what is your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement would be breeding some of the most influential ponies in the breed.

As told to Chris Grant by Tish Roberts of the Hisley Stud. Interview kindly provided by the Dartmoor Pony Society.

Can you tell us some of the highlights during your time showing the ponies?

Some of our highlights include: 1. Going best in show at Chagford in 2002 with Hisley Solitaire 2. Qualifying for the Lloyds Bank Supreme at HOYS in 1977 with Allendale Flauros.

3. Winning the M&M championship at the Ponies of Britain Summer Show in 1983 with Hisley Caviar, 1990 with Hisley Polonaise and in 1997 with Hisley Saunter.

4. Winning the M&M championship at the Ponies of Britain Stallion Show in 1967, 1968 and 1970 with Hisley Woodcock.

5. Winning the Shalbourne cup for the Champion M&M Stallion at the National Pony Society Summer Show in 1969, 1970, 1971 and 1974 with Hisley Woodcock.

6. And last but finally no means least, winning the Lord Arthur

Hisley Solitaire being awarded Supreme at Chagford

by Mr. Peter Honey. info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 11

Builth Wells | 20th - 21st May 2023 Report by Celeste Gall | Photos by EquinePix Photography

Strathmore Majestic ridden by Lucinda Dargavel

Highlights from the Royal Welsh Spring Festival An emotional win Lucinda Dargavel landed the overall mountain and moorland (M&M) championship on her own six-year-old Highland stallion Strathmore Majestic. The pair won both the inhand and ridden large breed classes, but opted to ride him in the championship. “I was really emotional as my Dad always wanted me to go champion in the main ring at the Royal Welsh. I just don’t think he thought it would be on a highland,” said Lucinda, who has owned the son of Noah of Meggernie since he was a foal. “He started his education with Aimee Devane and I have lessons with Jimmy Hooker at home on him now. My aim for him this year will be the Picton final at the National Pony Society championships,” added Lucinda. “My champion had a lovely way of going with plenty of bone and feather. He made me want to jump on and have a ride myself,” said M&M judge Danielle Waller.

Another with the aim of winning the Royal Welsh was seven-year-old Harry Joslin, who rode his mother Lara’s homebred Shetland Toby of Catchpool to win the ridden Shetland class, led by Lara, and take the overall Shetland championship. “Harry’s main aim this year was to win Royal Welsh, but the main show doesn’t have a ridden Shetland class so I told him this was his chance,” explained Lara, who gelded Toby for Harry to ride and the pair have grown up together.

Friarly Fendi shown by Thomas Jones

Last season, they qualified for HOYS and the pair are active members of the Swansea Pony Club. “I don’t think he is going to do any qualifiers this year as Harry just wants to have fun on him. He is currently planning to do the working hunter pony class at the Shetland performance show – most definitely on his own!” laughed Lara.

Fendi in Fashion Thomas Jones from the Menai and Friarly stud got their show season underway in fine style taking the overall Welsh supreme with his mother Ann’s yearling Welsh section A filly Friarly Fendi, making her show ring debut. By Friarly Sensation out of Friarly Height of Fashion, Fendi headed a strong yearling filly class before taking the Welsh section A championship en route to the Welsh supreme. Thomas also enjoyed success with another yearling filly making her debut, the Menai Cardi Llwyd daughter Menai Just Imagine, who went on to stand reserve Welsh Cob in-hand champion.

Of Catchpool ridden

by Harry Joslin and led by Lara Joslin 12 | The Native PonyToby | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

THE NATIONAL PONY SOCIETY

Why join the NPS? ONLY the person who OWNS the pony needs to join!

NO ADDITIONAL FEE for your rider-handler-producer-pony/ponies! *excluding HOYS/RIHS

The NPS promotes interest in the Mountain and Moorland breeds of the British Isles, and offers a range of competitions which reflect the versatility of our wonderful native breeds.

NPS membership includes THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE.

Whether you have a worker, mini, junior, open, in hand or home produced, from pure novice to open classes, the NPS is the SOCIETY for YOU!

Join now!

Online or call the friendly team in the office who will be only too happy to help you.

Scan me

www.nationalponysociety.com 01420 88 333 info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 13

BSPS Winter Championships

Thistledown El Toro and Kashia Bhogal

Arena UK, Grantham | 29 April – 1 May Report by Beth Simons | Photos by Equinational

3, 2, 1 Go for Toro!

Showing World’s latest team members Thistledown El Toro and Kashia Bhogal wowed on their first appearance together, just days after Kashia was announced as the winner of our competition to find Toro a partner in crime! The pair improved as the weekend drew on, standing third in their first RIHS class together before standing second in the BSPS LIHS qualifier to take a semi-final ticket, and then going on to win and take the RIHS section championship 24 hours later. No stranger to success, Toro has previously stood second at HOYS, held multiple qualifications for RI, HOYS and LIHS, and taken high profile county level championships including at the Great

Yorkshire Show in 2022. Meanwhile Kashia has also produced and ridden a number of ponies to qualify for HOYS and RIHS, and was led by her older sister Kerinder to win HOYS and stand mini mountain and moorland champion with Dartmoor pony Springwater Legato in 2012.

Native specialist Aimee Devane headed the novice heritage working hunter pony championship riding Welsh section C, Costa Joe The Boss having won the 133cm class.

Five-year-old Joey was lightly contended

by Aimee in flat classes on behalf of Decland Davies but is now co-owned between Aimee and Rachel Cooper, and it is intended that they share him. Rachel took over the

14 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Compass ridden by Evanthe Hughes, and Holly Charnock with her own winner of the exceeding 143cm class, Menai Castaway.

A Welsh pony also topped the heritage novice ridden championship. This time it was Sarah Weston’s Llynhelyg Mistar, ridden by his producer Sarah Parker. The impressive section D stallion was purchased by Sarah last August unbroken after a successful in hand career. She explained that “he has been brought on slowly and has only done a handful of shows, one being BSPS Area 4A where he was thrown into the deep end qualifying for RIHS. He is a super boy with the kindest nature and we are excited to see what he can achieve”.

The “Sarah’s” also won the novice Highland Fell and Dales class with Greenrivers Luke. But in reserve was the winner of the New Forest and Connemara class, New Forest, Nutschullyng River Dance, owned by Karyn Thomas and ridden by her daughter, Ellenor.

Potter and Pedro for Sibling Success

Costa Joe The Boss ridden by Aimee Devane

Section A pony Crumpwell Harry Potter cut a super-cute image under his new rider Kitty Lea. Harry has had an extremely successful run under former rider Daisy Allen, culminating in standing 2022 RIHS UKP&H junior champion last July. He was purchased by Kitty’s mum, Marie from Daisy’s parents Gavin and Jodie in February. “He wasn’t actually for sale, only lease as Daisy still had her last year in the junior class, however after discussions, the Allens agreed that we could purchase Harry for Kitty,” explained Marie. “Daisy has kept the junior ride for this year and we are excited to watch them.

Kitty is 9 so will be in first ridden with Harry all this year and next, and our elder daughter Issie will take over the junior ride next year”. Meanwhile, Harry has moved from the Allens’ South Wales base to producer Jill Rushton’s yard. At the BSPS Winter champs, Kitty and Harry won the tiny tots first ridden section. “We love Harry; he has stepped right down for Kitty. She’s learnt to canter riding him and he’s been good as gold, he is really looking after our daughter who is gaining confidence all the time.” Not to be outdone, Kitty’s younger brother Charlie, 8, rode his own section A Colne Pedro to win the Tiny Tots walk and trot class.

Llynhelyg Mistar ridden by Sarah Parker Crumpwell Harry Potter ridden by Kitty Lea

Colne Pedro ridden by Charlie Lea

ride in flat classes at the BSPS Heritage championships where she was restricted reserve, and she went on to be champion at Thames Valley Welsh Show. Meanwhile Aimee will contest working hunter pony classes with him and stood reserve novice mountain and moorland working hunter pony at the UKP&H Spring Spectacular.

Welsh ponies dominated the championship, with all four section winners being Welsh.

In reserve was Jane Evans’ Felinmor Crown Prince, winner of the 143cm class ridden by Ameila Evans. The remaining classes were headed by 122cm winner Springbourne

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 15

Vinnie joined the Wilson family in 2021 and proceeded to qualify for HOYS later that year as a first ridden, “but as a section B he was a bit much for that class, so we moved him up to juniors,” explained Kim. But disaster was courting them, and in May 2022, it hit.

“I had just dropped the kids off at my mum’s,” said Kim. “When I got back, the horses were staring at the stable yard which was bizarre. When I walked up to the yard, the concrete was just a mass of blood and I saw Vinnie, blood pouring out his chest.”

The origins of the injury remain a mystery, although a “destroyed” section of fence may serve as a significant clue.

Typically, Kim’s CCTV system doesn’t cover the area.

When the vet inspected the hole in Vinnie’s chest, she found it to be almost “elbow deep” and explained he needed to be moved to the Dick Vet in Edinburgh or put to sleep. Unable to contemplate the grim alternative, Kim set off for Edinburgh.

He was operated on and remained at the Dick Vet for four weeks before a further four months box rest at home. Kim explained that “Charlotte found ways to entertain him from singing, reading stories, making him fruit kebabs and playing dunking for apples to stop him going mad with boredom.”

After the long period of box rest came rehab. “We slowly built him up over the winter with hacking, long reining and then swimming before we started pole work and cross poles, which was when we realised how much he loves jumping.”

A career in workers beckoned. “We took him to the BSPS winter champs for some experience and see how he deals with tough tracks. He cleared every track with just a pole and was placed in every class including the RI qualifier.

Thistledown Lord Glencoe ridden by Lara-Rae Jones

Thistledown Coup Sandy Anderson’s Thistledown prefix enviably secured the top three places in the novice mountain and moorland lead rein class. Thisledown Magpie got the nod ahead of second placed Thistledown Silver Bullet and Thistledown Red Win in third. Magpie is owned and led by Jamie Clarke and ridden by her daughter Charlotte Knight. The pair went on to stand reserve champion to a fourth Thistledown Welsh section A, Thistledown Lord Glencoe, owned by Jade Gardner and ridden by his producer Michaela Jones’ daughter Lara-Rae.

Cadlanvalley VIP Makes Emotional Return To Victory It was an emotional moment for Kim Wilson when her daughter Charlotte and section B pony Cadlanvalley VIP (Vinnie) won their 122cm restricted heritage working hunter pony class at the BSPS championships.

“We fell in love with him because he is the true barbie pony, with his flashy golden locks,” explained Kim. “I saw him being ridden by Olivia Brightmore in a HOYS qualifier and I said to Charlotte ‘we are having that pony’!”

Vinne and Charlotte’s last class was the restricted heritage class and he flew round, keeping all the poles up, and winning a really strong class. He looks after Charlotte and always helps her out; they just need more mileage.”

And next? “We have been through hell with this pony and as much as we adore him, it’s been difficult. Charlotte has done all the rehabilitation and jumping work herself and she really deserves some success. We would love to get him to RIHS and HOYS as a worker and really make it the fairytale ending.”

Cadlanvalley VIP ridden by Charlotte Wilson

BADMINTON GRASSROOTS Towerhill Shamie ridden by Chloe Dunn Connemara; Gelding; 15hh; Born 2011; Sire: Celtic Bobby Sparrow; Dam: Cara Donn;

Voltaire Designs Grassroots Championships Badminton House, Gloucestershire Without doubt, the Voltaire Designs Badminton Grassroots Championships is the pinnacle of the amateur eventing calendar.

Hosted over the two days prior to the famous international Badminton Horse Trials, the Voltaire Design Grassroots Championships sees the winners from regional finals from around the country go head-to-head in the overall British Eventing Championship held at BE90 and BE100 level.

The cross country takes riders around the park at the famous Badminton Estate,

past the house and through the renowned Badminton Lake. The BE90 and BE100 competitor with the lowest score after all three phases is crowned in a prize giving in front of Badminton House. Several competitors took to the course riding natives and we think they look fantastic!

Though not a purebred Welsh, we have to give a special mention to winners of the 100cm, Kate Raynor and Annandale Idris, who is by Welsh section C stallion Ewyn Dorian.

the 100cm final. Meanwhile in the 90cm final, Megan Elphick’s Connemara ponies Commons Delight and Jamelia in fourth and seventh respectively. Welsh section D Lodor Carl finished nineth under Katie Mathias, and Carnakilly Little Ross and Amber Moxon finished just outside the top ten in thirteenth place.

Congratulations to all who qualified their ponies!

Purebred Connemara Lough Derg Joe and Eloise Van Praag finished seventh in info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 17

Jamelia ridden by Megan Elphick Connemara; Mare; 15.2hh; Born 2014; Sire: Mystical Bobby Lane; Dam: Tulla June

Lodor Carl ridden by Katie Mathias Welsh Section D; Gelding; 14.2hh; Born 2010; Sire: Penstrumbly Sax-Mad Johnny; Dam: Lodor Cwrlen Commons Delight ridden by Megan Elphick Connemara; Mare; 15.1hh; Born 2010; Sire: Corcullen Silver Belle; Dam: Common Lady 18 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Left: Flying Star ridden by Ros Smith Connemara; Gelding; 15.1; Born 2013; Sire: Classiebawn Black Jack; Dam: Kiltrogue Lassie

Above: Galtee Kassy Cashel Girl ridden by Annabel Ridgway. Connemara; Mare; 14.1hh; Born 2015; Sire: Kinvara Boy; Dam: Drimcong Maria Left: Ferodo ridden by Josephine Spring Connemara; Gelding; 15.2hh; Born 2008; Sire: Young Walt; Dam: Madisons Delight

Lough Derg Joe ridden by Eloise Van Praag | Connemara; Gelding; 14.2hh; Born 2013; Sire: Glencarrig Joe; Dam: Yellow Ribbon info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 19

Holnest Macalla ridden by Charlotte Walters Connemara; Gelding; 15hh; Born 2014; Sire: Glencarrig Marble; Dam: Holnest Coolnaha

Dunally Jane ridden by Ellis Simister Connemara; Mare; 14.2hh; Born 2013; Sire: Dunally Lad; Dam: Lucy Jane

Carnakilly Little Ross ridden by Amber Moxon Connemara; Gelding; 14.2hh; Born 2014; Sire: Ross Fear Bui; Dam: Harnell’s Heather Belle

Penstrumbly Calon Lan ridden by Ruby Thompson Welsh Section D; Gelding; 15hh; Born 2010; Sire: Yorkin Come Lucky; Penstrumbly Jemima Rose

Myshall Robby ridden by Poppy Turriff Connemara; Gelding; 14.1hh; Born 2009; Sire: Edenmist Pride of Thieves; Dam: Sally Ann

Millies Cove ridden by Susan Chappelhow-Lacey Connemara; Mare; 14hh; Born 2016; Sire: Caherlistrane Bay; Dam: Lady Biggera

20 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Windsor Horse Show Ridden Mountain and Moorland Ponies Report by Beth Simons | Photos by 1st Class Images Castle Kestrel ridden by Lucy Glover

Kestrel King of the Castle (Arena) Reigning LIHS mountain and moorland champions, Lucy Glover and Amanda Sharman’s Class 1 Connemara stallion Castle Kestrel are set to defend their title after securing the mountain and moorland ridden championship at Royal Windsor, held in the show’s inimitable Castle Arena. The eight-year-old gave yet another an exquisitely executed individual performance after ride judge Martin Jones set a complicated show including a canter transition “absolutely on a straight line towards the fence”, a canter circle, and a walk mid-way through the diagonal change. Kestrel, who impressed 2022 final onlookers with a well-mannered one-handed show, made light work of it, and shone in the evening’s championship.

Bred by Henry O’Toole, he is by Glencarrig Knight and out of Castle Melody. Lucy first spotted him online as a

yearling, while he was still in his native Ireland. Spotting his potential, Lucy messaged Amanda, who is based just fifteen minutes away – to tell her about him immediately. “I told her, ‘we need to buy this one, Amanda,’ but I later read on the advert that he was sold to a ridden home,” Lucy recalls, fondly, “So I rang her and said that he had gone, which was when she replied, ‘Yes, he’s gone because I’ve bought him!”

Despite their initial excitement to show him, he remains lightly competed. He was turned away at four allowing him to mature, and COVID-19 claimed his five-year-old year. Nevertheless, he won Windsor in 2022, qualified for RIHS, stood a credible seventh at HOYS and wowed to win at LIHS. No doubt we will see more of the pair’s winning ways as the season draws on.

In reserve was a pony who is also no stranger to the info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 21

limelight. This was Sarah Weston’s homebred Dartmoor stallion, Westown Wild Fire, ridden by Sarah Parker. They also claim a ticket to the final, as Royal Windsor is uniquely the only direct qualifier not hosted by the BSPS themselves to award a ticket to the reserve as well as the champion. The seven-yearold combines ridden and stud work and already has a win at HOYS in 2021 and a RIHS runner up spot to his name. Sarah was responsible for no less than two of the section winners. She also rode the Pennell family’s unstoppable Dales stallion Nipna Midnight Rambler (Rambo) to win his class before handing the reins to fellow native producer Jess Talbot for the championship.

Rambo and Sarah are twice runners up at HOYS and twice LIHS Best of Breed. He also topped the UKP&H Intermediate final at the RIHS in 2022 under Caitlin Hamilton. Sarah and Rambo have already qualified for the RIHS, HOYS and LIHS, meaning Jess could enjoy every second of the Castle Arena championship with no pressure!

Westown Wild Fire ridden by Sarah Parker

Whilst Sarah was responsible for his production, Menai Georgie Boy’s reins were handed to his owner Leah May for his Welsh section C class, in which he stood second. The pair were pipped to the post by Jodie Haywood and her own Lantau Supernova (Novi). Jodie and the ten-year-old Wyken Rob Roy Welsh section C are former RIHS winners and HOYS runners up. Jodie also swapped her long boots for running shoes the previous day to handle Novi into third place in the open Welsh section C in hand section.

It was a surprise win for Henry Belton, 11 in the Welsh As and Bs riding 11-year-old Moelview Orlando. Bred by Richard Jones, he is by successful ridden stallion Moelview Prince Charming out of Moelview Flicka, and is owned by Henry’s mum, Fiona Cork. Usually a dedicated worker fan, this was Henry’s first time showing on the flat at Royal Windsor. The BSPS semi-final ticket they won at Windsor will now be added to the RIHS open As and Bs ticket they already have after winning at BSPS Area 9A’s Spring Show.

Last – but certainly not least! – is the winner of the Welsh section D class, Thorneyside Guardsman [Douglas] ridden by his owner, Katy Marks.

Nipna Midnight Rambler ridden by Jessica Talbot

Thorneyshire Guardsman ridden by Katy Marks

Lantau Supernova ridden by Jodie Haywood

The powerful 12-year-old D stallion was purchased by Katy as a three-year-old, and has been brought on by her to great success. Last year, they finished 7th at the RIHS, 6th at HOYS, and Best of Breed at LIHS. Katy and Douglas also won the first large breeds PP RIHS qualifier hosted at Windsor making it an excellent day’s work for the pair. This was the pair’s first appearance at Windsor Horse Show. “I love that horse and have always wanted to ride here having seen everyone’s photos each year, and I thought there’s no other horse I’d want to come to Windsor with. It’s nice for him because he’s such a lovely horse and tries so hard; obviously things can go wrong because he’s a horse but generally he’s a really good boy and a pleasure to ride.”

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Moelview Orlando ridden by Henry Belton

Dafren Rhodri ridden by Jane Smith

Towergate First Impression ridden by Tabitha Hughes

Woodend Marigold ridden by Camilla Hollis and led by Heather Cook

Perfect Piggy Pretty Polly Champion

booked their place in the open section A and B class at BSPS Area 15 Essex Spring Show, and a spot in the open first ridden class at BSPS Area 15A Spring Show.

There were four Pretty Polly mountain and moorland classes in total, with the top spots dominated by Welsh ponies. Winning the small breeds class – which included Welsh section Cs – was Jane Smith’s Dafren Rhodri. Sired

by Parvadean Recharge, the seven-year-old stallion was purchased by Jane last year, and gave a mannerly show to finish ahead of Abbie Dark and her own HOYS-bound Welsh section C, Blaencilla Penny, sired by Parvadean Rooney. Abbie and Penny went on to secure their ticket the following day at BSPS Wales.

However, it was the littlest riders of the day that took home championship rosettes. The championship was awarded to three-year-old Naomi Lear riding Thistledown Velvet Touch (Piggie), led by Rosie Lear. Fourteen-year-old Welsh section A Piggie is sired by the multi-garlanded prolific stock-getter, Blackhill Piccolo and she’s out of Thistledown Velvet. No strager to the limelight, Piggie is a former RIHS mini champion when under the care of team Burchell, and she was second and reserve champion at HOYS based at team Hillyard. The Lears have owned her for about 18 months but due to Naomi’s young age, this is her first season of showing Piggie. In between, Rosie explained that Piggie “goes on fun rides, does clear round jumping, and a bit of everything; she’s perfect!” Naomi concurred: “she’s a unicorn!”

Meanwhile the first ridden section was won by Miranda Hughes’ Towergate First Impression, ridden by Tabitha Hughes. The 13-year-old Welsh section A is sired by Colne Turbo and out of Waitwith Connie. He made Tabitha’s dreams of riding at HOYS come true last season in the junior small breeds class, and seems to be on form again this season, this being his third RIHS 2023 ticket. The pair

In reserve was Heather Cook’s 13-year-old Welsh section A mare, Woodend Marigold, ridden by Camilla Hollis.

Thistledown Velvet|Touch ridden by Naomi Lear info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue The Native Pony | 23

Pedro: “He’s a Legend” The inimitable Laburnam Richard (Pedro) claimed the mountain and moorland working hunter pony championship for the fourth time in five appearances having won the exceeding 143cm class ridden by owner Amy Smith. The sixteen-year-old Connemara gelding and Amy are an incredible duo. They’ve won HOYS three times and stood champion twice, in 2017 and 2019.

Amy purchased him from the Clifden sales at three with the intention of selling him on. A year later, she had not received a single enquiry about him and so decided to keep him. ‘We Laburnam Richard ridden by Amy Smith

Lisa Kelly built an interesting course with plenty to look at and an off-set treble to keep competitors on their toes and onlookers entertained. As ever, the anticipation of a great track and Windsor’s iconic grounds meant that competition was fierce with plenty deciding to compete irrespective of whether they remained in need of the RIHS ticket. This was most evident in the 122cm class where the top four had already qualified.

This was also eventually topped by a young pony early in his career: Delami Bravado (Benny). owned by Fiona Aston and was ridden by her son, Ollie Rowlands. The Dukeshill Dot eight-year-old and Ollie had already qualified at NPS Area 13, and took no less than two tricolours at NPS Spring Festival. Last season, they also qualified for HOYS for the first time, and are gearing up for another season of qualifiers.

Joyton Sunshine ridden by Ella Eynon

just understand each other,’ said Amy. Her sister, Vikki, finished second with her own JP Corbally. “She just needs to retire him so I can win a big one,” joked Vikki, though she may be waiting a while, as a beaming Amy was adamant he wouldn’t be retiring any time soon!

Pedro and Amy jumped a copybook round before giving a stonking gallop in the championship, impressing judges Gillian Simpson and Mark Sheen. “Our champion jumped a lovely, balanced round and was so consistent at

every phase,” said Mark, “he was a champion from start to finish”.

In reserve was a pair making their debut appearance at Windsor. This was Ella Eynon and her mum Rebecca Faulkner’s 133cm Joyton Sunshine (Dougie). The six-year-old Welsh section C started his 2022 campaign as a novice and ended it as Mountain and Moorland Working Hunter Pony of the Year at HOYS. He was subsequently turned away for the winter before enjoying PC and showjumping as preparation for his 2023 season.

24 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Delami Bravado ridden by Ollie Rowlands

Last year’s champion rider, Gemma Pallett, once again took home a red rosette. This year, however, it was her mum, Angela Pallett’s Mirah Hero (Hugo) who brought home the bacon, topping the not exceeding 143cm division.

Gemma had returned from a trip to Thailand shortly before Windsor, and credited Angela with preparing her ponies.

Now 18 years old, Connemara gelding Hugo has been an incredible pony for Gemma.

He was purchased for her from Katie Duxbury, and over the years, Gemma has jumped him at Windsor a total of eight times, the first time being when she was just 13 years old. He’s stood first, second and third at Windsor and has won countless other accolades. As well as consistently qualifying for HOYS and RIHS – often standing in the ribbons – he’s also been chosen for various teams throughout their time together, including jumping a fabulous clear at Royal Dublin in 2019 as a part of the English Connemara team. He was retired from competition with a leg injury pre-pandemic, but this year has made a terrific comeback, looking great and seemingly loving his job as much as ever.

A-List Celebrity John Harvey led Anna Cayzer’s Springwater Happy Day seven-year-old, Coppinshill Celebrity (Bart) to the open mini championship, with Windsordebutante Lilly Cayzer, 5, in the saddle. Interestingly, it also marked a first for John, as despite his countless accolades with lead reins, he had never previously taken this particular title.

The trio looked a formidable combination despite having only been to one show previously, UKP&H where they claimed their ticket to the RIHS. The quality Dartmoor gelding was spotted by John a while ago, and so he urged Anna to purchase him from then owner Debbie Barr when he came on the market last autumn. Anna kept him at home over the winter, attending PC to allow Bart and Lilly to gel.

In reserve was the uber successful Shetland gelding Briar Snowfox, ridden by Lilly Richardson. They won the first ridden class en route to the section championship. No strangers to success, Lilly and Snowfox won their open breed class at HOYS in 2022 and are the reigning LIHS Best of Breed.

Snowfox has already had a fantastic start to his season’s campaign with a clutch of RIHS tickets shared between Lilly and younger sister Penny.

Mirah Hero ridden by Gemma Pallett

Briar Snowfox ridden by Lilly Richardson

Coppinshill Celebrity ridden by Lilly Cayzer and led by John Harvey

Fleetwoods Loch Lomond

Rhi Rhandall stands up Fleetwoods Loch Lomond

Royal Windsor Horse Show (In Hand Natives) 12th of May, 2023 | Report by Beth Simons | Photos by 1st Class Images Loch Lomond Lands Dream Day “It doesn’t seem real,” said Rhi Randall of her supreme mountain and moorland accolade. “Never in a million years did I expect to win the overall; it’s just a dream come true to win such a prestigious championship at Royal Windsor horse show.”

Rhi lifted the title with her homebred Highland stallion Fleetwoods Loch Lomond (Lochie). The four-yearold is by Bluebraes Merrick out of Copperview Rose.

Lochie was shown lightly but successfully last year to stand supreme at the Southern Highland Pony Breed show under judge Sylvia Ormiston, stud manager at the Balmoral stud. He followed this up by winning and going champion

in the Highland Pony Society Youngstock final held at NPS Great British inhand show, where he was also Highland pony breed champion. A true native enthusiast, Rhi enjoys a range of activities with her ponies from eventing to workers and flat showing, and Lochie seems destined for a career under saddle next.

“He was lightly backed at the end of last year and has been turned away since with the hope to bring him out as a novice in 2024,” explained Rhi. Reserve supreme was the champion Welsh section D, London Total Temptress, owned and showed by Tony Newman. She was the 2019

London Total Temptress shown by Tony Newman

Stuffynwood Princess shown by Sarah Noble

Royal Welsh youngstock champion having charmed the crowd with her outstanding movement. She was bred by Stephanie Edwards, by the popular stock-getter Swanhill Golden Rocket, and out of Tardebigge Sea Empress.

She was sent to Tony to be produced for a few foal shows before being sold from his yard but a breeder of Section Cs, Tony was so taken with this cob filly that he decided to purchase her for himself. “I had always admired the Ds but was more of a C man,” said Tony, “but she really caught my eye – she converted me!” said Tony. Fast forwards and now a five-year-old, she proved she certainly hasn’t lost that star appeal, the crowd getting

behind her show for supreme judge Amanda Gommersall.

The Dales championship rosette found a new home in the Derbyshire Dales, as Sarah Noble and her own homebred Stuffynwood Princess took the title. The four-year-old is the last foal born by Westwick Douggies Lad, and she’s out of Stuffynwood Purdy Mae. This is the third tricolur of three attempts for a Stuffynwood pony at Windsor, with Princess’ paternal half-sisters Primrose and Daffodil standing champion in 2017 and 2018 respectively, Primrose going one further to take the overall supreme for her owner John Elliot.

Hannah-May Stuart’s two-

Bybeck Agnes shown by Thomas Partridge

year-old filly Bybeck Agnes gave a terrific show of her paces in the Castle Arena’s supreme having already clinched the Fell tricolour shown by Thomas Partridge. Agnes is by Bybeck Rodney out of Bybeck Stella.

David Allen handled June

Woodrow the Warrior shown by David Allen

her own and Caroline Crouchman’s Idyllic Perseus, to win the Welsh section A championship. Six-yearold Percy is by Brynrodyn Derwyn, and is out of former HOYS in-hand finalist Idyllic Perdita. He was purchased

Thistledown Red Rain shown by Beth Simons

her down. However, he made an exception for my now husband, who secretly purchased her for me as his wedding gift. I am hoping that seven-year-old Red will produce her first foal next spring.

Chris and Louise Jennings’s 12-year-old mare Synod Rose Alex took the Welsh section C tricolour. The couple purchased the Synod Robyn Dundee x Synod Rosie O’Hara mare from the cob sales last autumn in foal to Ormond Rosenthal. This was

Knockferry Vision shown by Sophie Robins

Whitman’s homebred Woodrow the Warrior to the New Forest title. The threeyear-old is by multi-garlanded ridden pony and prolific sire, Farriers Finger Print, and he’s out of Woodrow Delight’s Double.

Sophie Robins’ five-year-old stallion Knockferry Vision impressed for the Connemara breed tricolour. Bred by Vincent McDounagh, he is out of Glencarrig Knight out of Morning Blossom.

Georgia Crouchman showed

from breeders Mark and Liz Kilbey as a foal, and has been successfully shown in hand as a youngster despite a close call when he was two and incurred poisoning from a blackthorn.

My own Thistledown Red Rain stood Welsh section B champion. By Mintfield Sandpiper and out of Thistledown Summer Rain, Red was initially leased to me by breeder Sandy Anderson.

After falling head over heels for her sunny disposition, Sandy turned my requests to purchase

Idyllic Perseus shown by Georgia Crouchman

Judge Amanda Gommersall hands a DPS special rosette to Pizwell Xander, shown by Julian Walters

Synod Rose Alex shown by Dex Davies

her season debut and although she is home-produced, she was shown by Dex Davies with her foal at foot handled by Chris and Louise’s daughter Savanna, who is “obsessed with [foal] Billy the Kid,” explained Louise!

Devonshire breeders David Hodge and Julian Walters claimed two breed championships. The Shetland tricolour was awarded to home-bred 12-year-old stallion Blackertor Magneto, who is

by Clivocast Napoleon out of Bayview Maggie May. He was shown by David, while Julian took charge over Dartmoor champion Pizwell Xander.

The two-year-old colt is by Dunnabridge (W) Pegasus out of Pizwell Peebles.

Multi-garlanded Exmoor stallion Dunkery Widgeon brought yet another title home for owner

Blackertor Magneto shown by David Hodge

Maureen Richardson. The 15-year-old is by Dunkery Godwit out of Dunkery Corn Bunting. He was shown by his usual former show rider, Hayley Reynolds, with whom he enjoyed a fantastic run under saddle. The pair listed a ridden win at Windsor amongst his many accolades, which also include several HOYS and RIHS placings and Best of Breed at Olympia/LIHS with multiple appearances. Maureen explained that far from struggle to get Widgeon ready for Windsor’s early date, the hardest work was stopping this super-cool laid-back customer from getting too fat now his duties are mainly at stud rather than ridden!

28 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk Dunkery Widgeon shown by Hayley Reynolds

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Manor Duke (Jump in Action. Net)

Natives Storm first Price Family Supreme In-Hand Final Qualifiers The first golden ticket to HOYS 2023’s Price Family Supreme In Hand final was awarded to Louise Noonan and family’s homebred Connemara pony stallion Manor Duke at the Northern Ireland Festival. 12-year-old Duke is

by Currachmore Cashel out of Banks Vanilla.

He was shown by his producer, Joe Burke, who is a fellow breeder of Connemaras. This will be the pair’s second visit to the HOYS final, as they also qualified in 2021, finishing third.

Interestingly, the first Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year qualification was awarded to Joe’s own breeding, with 2022 RIHS supreme mountain and moorland Aniar Cashel taking the ticket. He was ridden by his owner, ridden Connemara doyen Sandra Burton. “I had him in the Cuddy Supreme [now the Price Family Supreme] a couple of times and now he’s with Sandra,” explained Joe. The ten-year-old is out of Gowlane Star, and by HOYS finalist and Olympia Best of Breed, Banks Timber, whom Sandra won the RIHS championship with in 2017, and who also belongs to Joe and family.

“It couldn’t have worked out better,” summed up a delighted Joe, especially as Sandra and daughter Emily had flown out to Ireland to watch at the festival.

A few weeks later, Kerry Wainwright’s Skellorn Bronze Soldier trounced all others in the final battle for the second place in the Price Family Supreme final line-up at Notts County Show.

Skellorn Bronze Soldier (Lauren Barnes Photography)

Remarkably, this will be his fifth visit to HOYS competing in this prestigious final, and he’s also narrowly missed out on a spot in reserve on a further four occasions. He was shown by usual handler Stuart Mason, who also showed him to lift the ultimate accolade for a Welsh breeder in 2019, standing section champion at the Royal Welsh. Last season, he proved that sometimes handsome is as handsome does, jointly topping the coveted Royal Welsh sire ratings.

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The sixteen-year-old Welsh section B is out of Burside Penny Black and is Skellorn Consort, meaning that he is a fourth-generation homebred pony.

Soldier now makes up an elite trio, with we believe just two others equalling his record for qualification: Castle Emperor and Rosslyn Sweet Repose who qualified five and six times respectively.

Dalefoot Amber II ridden by Olivia Swailes

Menai George ridden by Beth Simons

Aniar Cashel ridden by Sandra Burton

NPS Spring Festival – HOYS Highlights!

Three Counties Showground, Malvern | 22nd of April, 2023 | Report by Emily Cooper | Photos by 1st Class Images Despite testing weather in the run up to the show, the National Pony Society hosted a great spring show, enjoyed by all, and a collection of early HOYS tickets meant open ponies were out in force.

Amber Glows for Golden Ticket “It still hasn’t sunk in, the season we are having,” said Olivia Swailes, whose own 13-year-old Fell mare, Dalefoot Amber II secured both a HOYS and RIHS ticket at the show. The pair clinched the first open Fell Pony of the Year spot, heading off competition from other Fells, Dales, Highland and New Forest ponies. They also won their PP Heritage Mixed Breeds class, their third ticket of the year, having already secured a place in the UKP&H intermediate and amateur finals at NCPA Easter Spectacular and NCPA Lancashire Spring Show respectively, where they also stood champion. At the BSPS Championships a week later, they went on to secure a fourth ticket in the open Fell, Dales and Highland final.

Amber is by Greenholme Look At Me out of Dalefoot Amber. She has been a part of the family since 2017. “We bought her from Kevin Turner (Green River stud) however she was bred by Barbara Potter (Dalefoot stud),” explained Olivia.

They have “been lucky enough” to compete at the RIHS for the past four consecutive shows, finishing fourth in 2018. They have also made two prior consecutive visits to HOYS, finishing sixth and ninth. “This season is by far our best results; we have never been lucky enough to have all our

tickets for the full season before May,” she said, adding, “Amber is our family pet she is used by the whole family. My mum, Emma Foster, uses Amber to hack out and do local fun rides, I use Amber to compete at shows and my three-year-old daughter Lily is learning to ride on Amber alongside hacking to our local ice cream shop for an ice cream. Amber will remain a part of our family forever.”

Hannah Turnock’s reigning LIHS Welsh section C Best of Breed Menai George made his seasonal debut a successful one taking the first Ridden Welsh section C of the Year qualification. The Tyreos Survivor eight-year-old was originally produced by Hannah on behalf of former owner Robert Elliot, but having fallen for George, Hannah and her mother Sarah Lee purchased him last summer. They enjoyed a superb 2022, qualifying for RIHS, LIHS and HOYS. However, with Hannah expecting her second child in July, George was ridden

by Showing World editor Beth Simons.

“George is a lovely pony and Hannah’s worked so hard with him it was a pleasure to be a part of his ongoing success,” said Beth, “having said that, I couldn’t quite believe we would be so lucky as to take a first ticket, and despite a top pull and checking my number a few times during the class, I still had to check one more time when my number was called!” Flying the flag for their own ponies was Beth’s sister Maggie, winning the novice 133cm mountain and moorland working hunter

pony class with her own “Barbie pony” Welsh section C Brynseion Mr Paxford.

However, the reserve championship was taken by the recipient of the first Ridden Connemara Pony of the Year qualifier.

This was 2022 RIHS supreme mountain and moorland, Aniar Cashel ridden by his owner, ridden Connemara doyen Sandra Burton.

The ten-year-old was bred by Joe Burke, for whom Sandra initially showed him before purchasing him over the winter. He out of Gowlane Star, and by HOYS finalist and Olympia Best of Breed, Banks Timber, whom Sandra won the RIHS championship with in 2017, and who also belongs to Joe and family. “We’re so pleased with him,” said Sandra’s daughter, Emily.

The tricolour was awarded to the winner of the Welsh section D class, Dorian Lloyd’s Haighmoor Horace, ridden by Dorian’s wife, Michelle Rowles Lloyd. Bred by Julie Evans, Horace is out of Haighmoor Groten Goch, who narrowly missed out on a ticket to HOYS of her own standing second on two separate occasions under Zara Owen.

This will be Michelle and Horace’s second trip to HOYS as they also stood champion at Royal Norfolk last season, something of a dream come true for Michelle, who explained at the time that she had dreamed of riding at HOYS since a little girl.

Haighmoor Horace ridden by Michelle Rowles Lloyd

Eriskay Pony and foal photographed by Linda Trotman

RBST Watchlist 2023: A Mixed Picture for Rare Breed Equines The new Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watchlist published earlier this spring shows a mixed picture for the UK’s native equine breeds.

There is better news for a number of the UK’s other rare equine breeds, which are seeing positive trends of population growth or welcome stability.

Formed in 1973, this year marks 50 years of the Rare Breed Survival Trust’s work conserve and promote our native livestock and equine breeds.

Amongst pony breeds, the Dartmoor pony appears to be making significant improvement. An iconic south-west breed, the Dartmoor’s numbers have improved sufficiently for it to be moved from the Watchlist’s Priority category to the ‘At Risk’ category, with the population’s genetic diversity being one reason for the move.

The RBST Watchlist is the annual situation report for these breeds, reflecting robust measures of the genetic diversity within each breed as well as the numbers of breeding females registered.

The new RBST Watchlist highlights two equine breeds which remain in particular need of urgent support: Eriskay ponies and Suffolk horses.

Originating in the Scottish Western Isles, the Eriskay ponies are strong and hardy, but there were only three Eriskay foals registered in 2022 so the breed remains in a critical situation.

Meanwhile the Suffolk horse is the oldest of the UK’s native Heavy Horse breeds and their numbers also remain concerning.

The New Forest pony also enjoyed a strong year for registrations in 2022, demonstrating welcome stability in the breed, which nevertheless remains in the At Risk category for the time being.

There are also encouraging statistics for another Priority category breed, the Exmoor pony, with the number of dams increasing by 38%.

Also in the Priority category is the Cleveland Bay Horse which has nevertheless seen an increase of 17% in registrations and an increase in the

32 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

DID YOU KNOW? The RBST recognises that native breeds provide a major contribution to our rural economy, both economic and culturally, and estimates that there are around 30,000 herds and flocks of native breeds in the UK, contributing over £700 million to UK local economies.

Lovelyhill Folklore standing Ridden New Forest of the Year 2022

number of breeders. Similarly, the Hackney Horse & Pony remains in the Priority category but has enjoyed an increased number of breeders.

RBST Chief Executive Christopher Price says: “The welcome stability and positive trends across many of the equine breeds in this year’s Watchlist pays testament to how well the keepers of our rare equine breeds have managed to navigate the impacts of the pandemic, needing to work within restrictions which put breeding opportunities at risk.

“For some of our rare equines the number of breeders has been increasing steadily, thanks to a strong equine market and growing appreciation of these breeds’ unique characteristics and range of important modern uses, from forestry and conservation grazing to the showring and riding schools.

“However, the picture remains very concerning for some of our rarest breeds, particularly the Eriskay pony and the Suffolk Horse. We are also keeping a close watch on emerging impacts of the economic downturn, especially for the small pony breeds.”

Exmoor pony Warrenmere Woodcock ridden by

stands| Best Breed 2022 at LIHS info@showingworldonline.co.ukElzabeth | June Etchells 2023 Issue TheofNative Pony | 33

Saturday 2nd December 2023 Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire Brought to you by Showing World Magazine

Launched in 2009, the British Showing Awards have grown year-on-year to become the most prestigious and credible awards celebrating British showing success.

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34 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

“SEIB are delighted to be sponsoring the SEIB/Showing World British Showing Awards. SEIB have long been committed to the showing industry, and these are the premiere showing awards, celebrating the best of the best in the showing community. We look forward to working with the Showing World team to bring you a superb celebration of this season’s best.”

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This year’s categories are set to include: • • • • • • •

Breeder of the Year 1st Class Images Junior of the Year Cuddfan at Coxlake Native Pony of the Year Show Pony of the Year supported by the NPS Polypads Show Horse of the Year Veteran Horse or Pony of the Year Groom of the Year

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Nominations will be sent in via the Showing World website, which will subsequently be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel of judges and then put to public vote. Nominations will open shortly - keep an eye on our social media platforms for the announcement.

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TICKETS ON SALE SOON info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 35

Ruth on the Hoof

Words and images by Ruth Chamberlain A flight to the Faroe Islands to meet a breed on the brink of extinction During my archaeological studies at University – I was naturally very interested in horses. I specialised in zooarchaeology and had a keen interest in the Norse movements in Britain and further North. This is where I first came across the Faroese horse.

At the time I did not realise just how rare they were, but I did a little paper that compared our British breeds to the horses taken to the Faroe Islands and Iceland by the Norse – it was to investigate the relationship of our horses with other Atlantic breeds. Fast forward to Ruth On The Hoof where I am always looking for links to our British rare breeds, and the Faroese horse popped up again. I got chatting on Instagram to the official page for them and soon I had a trip booked into to see them.

Now for a little background on the Faroese horse. There are around 86 left in the world making them one of the rarest horse breeds alive today. Despite being called horses they generally stand between 11-12hh, not much taller than a Shetland pony. However, like with

Icelandic horses they are still culturally called horses due to their build and strength. Faroese horses share many similarities with our rare native British breeds, both in their traditional uses and in their physical shared ancestry.

They were traditionally a multipurpose work horse on farms and in the towns.

They transported peat, seaweed, manure etc, and even did the milk round. They are thought to have been brought to the islands by Norse settlers who came from both Scandinavia and of course the British Isles. When the Norse came to Britain they would have bred some of their horses with our local breeds (which would be able to thrive better in our climate) and they took these horses north to the Shetland Isles, Faroe Islands, and Iceland. This is why the British Atlantic breeds like the Eriskay pony, Highland pony, and the Shetland pony are related and/or physically similar to the Faroese horse and Icelandic horse.

It is also interesting the the gene that is responsible for gaited horses (such as the Icelandic horse and some Faroese horses) has its origins in Viking York – and yet British native breeds are not gaited. Our native

Beautiful mare Lý in a tunnel

36 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Sif - one of the Faroese horses at Hanusarstova

Sandur and the Sands of Time. Sandur translates to sand and I got quite emotional thinking scenes like this could be lost forever

breeds have a fascinating historical link with the horses of the far North and this relationship can be physically seen in the Atlantic breeds and their similarities. These comparisons even extend to the equipment used with the horses. The traditional Leypur (boxes on the back) a reminiscent of the creels used for the Eriskay and Highland ponies out on the west coast of Scotland, and the Klibbers and nets used on the Shetland Isles – all for transporting the same sort of materials.

The Faroe Islands felt very familiar, the cultural similarities between there and rural parts of the northern UK with the small croft-like farm and roaming livestock made be feel very much at home.

The Faroese horse was once vital to life on the Faroe Islands, just as many of our own native breeds were vital to our survival such as the Dales, Exmoor and Eriskay pony breeds which are now “Priority” breeds on the RBST 2023-24 Watchlist. Unlike our natives however, the Faroese horses faces very real extinction. Sadly once machines and roads arrived in the Faroe Islands, the horses were not really needed as they had once been. Many were loaded onto ships and exported to Britain where they were traded for sheep. In Britain they were imported as pit ponies where they sadly lost their Faroese heritage.

This is one reason I wanted to help the breed, when they were imported they became an important part of our

Brynja crossing the river

own history and Faroese genes may live on in some of our ponies today.

With only 86 in the entire world, the situation is dire. The Faroese horse struggles for demand in their homeland – there simply are not enough horses being born and not enough people on the Faroe Islands with the space or means to own them. There is a demand for them abroad, but sadly exporting abroad in the modern day is not possible by law as horses need a passport to leave and enter a country.

There is currently no passport issuing

organisation for them and therefore no passports. This means that the horses can only exist in the Faroe Islands where owners are hugely limited by land and resources. This passport dilemma is a Government issue and it is severely endangering these horses. It is a very real possibility they will become extinct in the near future if things do not change. The Faroese Parliament are meeting soon to discuss the future of their horses, and they want to see that there is support and a will to continue breeding these incredible horses.

The stunning view at Norðradalur

I went for a long weekend to meet and photograph these horses. It was a short flight from Edinburgh to the Faroe Islands, which lie between the Shetland Isles and Iceland. It was a lovely drive through the impressive underwater tunnels that link much of the Faroe Islands together. I stayed at a wonderful place called Hanusarstova in the little village of Æðuvík. Harriet who runs this accommodation with her husband has 4 Faroese horses and I wasted no time in going out to meet them. Harriet is a sheep farmer and was busy lambing when I was there, but she still found time to help me meet Faroese horses. I even took an early morning ferry out to the most southern island, Suðuroy, which is said to be the most beautiful of the islands.

It was easy to agree, the landscape was phenomenal! It was wonderful to meet the various owners who are passionate about keeping their breed alive – just like all the wonderful owners I meet in the UK. We spent another day in the capital of Tórshavn with a couple of horses to take photos of horses outside the government buildings at Tinganes. Another favourite moment

was a photoshoot with the characterful Skessa – a stunning chestnut mare who loved to show off! My final evening was spent looking down to the sea at sunset – it was freezing cold but absolutely breathtaking. The Faroe Islands is a very special place, and there native horse breed is equally special and should not be lost to history.

How to help: Visit: https://www.ffr.fo/indexen Follow: @the_faroese_horse on instagram (if you’re interested in potentially breeding them abroad let them know - a list of potential breeders if exporting were possible would be very helpful!)

At40 the| docks of Tórshavn next to the 2023 restored schooner Norðlýsið - it’s easy to imagine the horses being loaded into boats like this for mass exportation to the British Isles The Native Pony | June Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Tickets on sale now!

Horse of the Year Show 4th - 8th OCTOBER 2023 W W W. H OY S .C O. U K

British RAISING THE BAR

In the Spotlight: PENSTRUMBLY CALON LAN A well deserved post-dressage pat!

Born: 2010, 13 years old Owner: Sarah Thompson Rider: Ruby Thompson Breeder: Kath Hall Height: 152.50cm Sire: Yorkin Come Lucky Dam: Penstrumbly Jemima Rose Stable name: Batty

Best results so far: 2016 1st & reserve champion ridden Royal Welsh under Lucy Parr 2019 1st & champion mountain and moorland working hunter pony at the Royal International Horse Show under Ellie Callwood 2022 1st BE100 Blair Castle Scottish Championships ridden by Ruby Thompson 1st BE90 u18 at Belsay ridden by Ruby Thompson 2022 Qualified for Voltaire Grassroots Championships 90cm at Badminton Grassroots, finishing 15th 2023 Qualified for Voltaire Grassroots Championships 90cm AND 100cm at Badminton Grassroots

42 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

At Badminton in 2022

past Badminton House 2022 info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023Cantering Issue | The Native Pony | 43

At HOYS in 2016 as a ridden Welsh section D

Penstrumbly Calon Lan, or Batty as he is known at home, was bought by his rider Ruby Thompson’s mum, Sarah, three years ago having already enjoyed an illustrious career in showing. He qualified for HOYS as a ridden Welsh section D in 2016 ridden by Lucy Parr whilst still a ‘new kid on the block’. A change of ownership into Jane Hanger’s hands saw him pursue his love of jumping in earnest and making his mark on the working hunter scene piloted by Ellie Callwood, the pair standing champion at the RIHS and finishing eighth at HOYS. It is clear from his catalogue of results that he’s a pony that relishes an occasion. Not only that, he also loves an audience.

“If there are a lot of people, he gets excited and has a lot more presence; he likes to strut his stuff around the arenas,” said Ruby.

Batty joined the Thompsons in July 2020 and was originally intended as Sarah’s own ride. However, Batty and 16-yearold Ruby quickly formed a formidable partnership and she took over the reins. Ruby and Batty went on to book his third trip to HOYS in 2021, this time plaited for the 153cm Plaited Working Hunter Pony of the Year final.

By this time, the Thompsons had also discovered his eventing

Batty visits Windsor Horse Show in 2019 with Ellie

prowess, and there was no looking back. By now, Ruby and Batty focus predominantly on their eventing aspirations.

They competed in their first BE event in August of 2020.

“He loved it and won it,” said Ruby, despite having never previously evented. This meant that he qualified for an Area Festival in 2021. He duly won that, too. “From then we just did a few events in between doing HOYS qualifiers. He qualified for HOYS at Staffordshire County and then we just took him eventing until HOYS.” Once their NEC trip was over, it was time to attempt a BE 100, the pair finishing with a dressage score of 29 and a double clear. For those of you not ‘into’ eventing, that’s a great score!

His 2022 season was impressive, and he finished an impressive 15th in the 2022 Voltaire Grassroots Championships 90cm final at Badminton. This season, he went one better, qualifying in both the 90cm and 100cm sections.

Being a typical Welsh section D, Batty has a tendency to carry more weight than is needed for the endurance challenge of eventing, therefore doing a lot of canter work, visiting the local gallops twice a week, and weekly dressage lessons, all form part of his preparation for a big event.

Showing his best moves in the dressage phase at Badminton this year

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Batty and Lucy Parr win the Royal Welsh and stand reserve in 2016, qualifying for HOYS

Batty poses as RIHS champion mountain and moorland working hunter pony

“Normally we would have two practice runs but with the weather being so bad this season, we didn’t manage any before Badminton,” Ruby explained.

Batty stands champion mountain and moorland working hunter pony at the RIHS in 2019

Batty and a delighted Lucy Parr step forwards for the win at Royal Welsh in 2016

Their next ‘biggie’ will be Blair Castle, where Ruby hopes to retain their title and possibly attempt a 1* event. Still, she is philosophical, and maintains that when it comes to the future, she just wants “to continue to have fun with Batty,” hoping they will “keep challenging each other to see how far” they can go.

Batty at Home: Ruby’s Perspective

A loveable character that thrives on attention, carrots and treats, Batty can be “very spooky and a little bit cheeky” according to Ruby. Although generally very well behaved and a special pony to have around the yard, Batty is often found opening his own stable door to visit his stable mate Millie!

The breeder, Kath Hall on Batty’s success

“I’m obviously very proud of everything that Batty has achieved. Although, no matter how good the pony you breed, you’re dependant on the hands they fall into to make the best of them. I have been lucky Batty has always found himself in excellent hands.”

The starter’s perspective

Lucy Parr started Batty off, and he still holds a special place in her heart. “I adored him. He’s a super-special cob and I was lucky to have had him. I couldn’t be happier that I was able to be a part of his journey and continue to follow his career with his superb jockey Ruby,” said Lucy.

Jumping around the HOYS 153cm working hunter pony final in 2021

info@showingworldonline.co.uk | June 2023 Issue | The Native Pony | 45

FELL

ROUNDUP The Fell Pony Society AGM April 2023

Ally Knight Endurance winner with Shadowcroft Pagan Princess

Bill Potter of the Greenholme stud collecting the Drybarrows trophy

Barbara Bell received the Peahill basil award on behalf of Georgie Lewis Roberts

Edwin Winder collected awards won by his Dalewin stud

Eileen Walker collected awards won by her Rackwood stud

Rachel Woodruff received the prizes won by Team Woodward

Report by Claire Simpson The Fell Pony Society held its AGM at Orton village hall where a good turnout of members heard reports from the Chairman, Secretary and Sub-Committees; including the Area Support Groups, Display Team; and the Judges, Conservation Grazing and Overseas SubCommittees.

To begin the Society’s Chairman, Peter Boustead, reflected on our Centenary year, and thanked Jane Rawden and the Centenary Committee for all their hard work and confirmed that the Committee had been awarded the Queen’s Award which is presented to the person/s who have done the most to publicise the Fell pony breed over the previous year.

The Centenary events began with the fabulous parade of Fell ponies at Windsor, led by Lady Louise Windsor, and attended by Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen was obviously delighted with the display and chatted to Peter and Jane Rawden as they presented her with The Queen’s Award for 2021; she gave a wry smile when she noticed that the late Duke of Edinburgh was the first recipient of the award in 2006. She was also presented with a bespoke FPS Centenary scarf, designed by Laura Pennell, and depicting Carltonlima Emma; and the Centenary book ‘A Century of Fells’ authored by Sue Millard and signed by members of the FPS Council.

Jane Rawden received the Queen’s award on behalf of the Centenary Committee

Paul Metcalfe and Severnvale Grey Bobby

In turn the Society was presented with a signed photo of the Queen holding her two grey Bybeck ponies, Katie and Nightingale which became the iconic image of her in her anniversary year. She described the fun that she had had in creating the photo and the fact that she had waited until the camelias in the background were just starting to bloom to get the picture just right. She also discussed the conformation and character of the individual ponies, and remarked about how sad it was that there was nobody to take on the Bybeck herd when the Roberts family retired.

Following the display at Windsor, the northern launch of the Centenary celebrations took place at the Stallion & Colt Show which included some special events including a super historical tableau by the Display team and a parade of stallions including past show champions. The oldest Murthwaite Look At Me was 23

46 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Prizewinners pose together

Paul Metcalfe received the Edinburgh Prize for driving

years old and had sired 127 registered ponies, whilst the twenty year old Carrock I’m Yer Man had sired 92; both were a picture of health and testament to their care and the longevity of the Fell pony.

The Breed show in August attracted the largest number of spectators ever recorded; and was attended by all the Past Presidents, as well as many overseas visitors. Throughout August Janet Wood hosted an exhibition and various events at the Old Courthouse, Shap, which attracted a steady stream of visitors. The local school children even played their part by creating Fell pony artwork that was displayed throughout the month. Events were rounded off by the spectacular Centenary Ball, where Vicky Parker’s attention to detail made sure that the event was just perfect, as did the fabulous cake created by Megan Wilkinson.

Following the very sad death of the Queen the Society was kept very busy with requests for comments and contributions to TV and radio programmes as well as various press publications.

Peter thanked all the Council members and Penny Randell who provided input to meet the many requests. Congratulations were in order for Lizzie Finlayson-Briant who was amongst those recognised for her service to the Queen and had received the Member of the Royal Victorian Order from the Queen’s Demise List. Lizzie had cared for and shown the Queen’s Fell ponies from 2002 and her Highland ponies earlier than this.

An educational video was created by Tom Lloyd during 2022 with input from Paul Metcalfe and Sue Millard and is available to purchase as a DVD from the office; or can be downloaded free of charge from Vimeo.

Waverhead Dazzler II

Secretary Katherine Wilkinson reported that the number of foals registered by UK and the Dutch daughter society breeders in 2022 was very similar to the previous year at 321 and 38 respectively, with 120 foals registered by hill breeders. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust had also reported that they are very encouraged by a steady increase in the number of Fell pony breeders since 2019, and that no erratic fluctuations have been recorded, which is very positive.

celebrate the life of our late Queen and It will be open to all members of the Fell Pony Society both in the UK and internationally. Entrants are invited to complete 96 miles, one for every year of the late Queen’s life, with their Fell ponies and Fell pony friends.

Local Area Support Groups will manage the registration, which will be cost £5, and also the presentation, and/or distribution, of the beautiful rosettes that will be awarded to those who complete the challenge. Again, the miles can be accumulated by riding, driving or leading ponies; and entries by teams as well as individuals are invited.

The four open positions on the FPS Council were filled by existing Council member David Wilkinson and new faces Tom Lloyd, Heather Mawrey and Liz Whitely. Peter thanked retirees John Potter, Colin Roberts and Ruth Eastwood for their work on Council; and all those who had put their names forward for election.

A dedicated Facebook page will be created for entrants to share their plans and their experiences.

Barbara Bell was unanimously confirmed as President for the next two years; Barbara has previously held the position, but her role was curtailed by the coronavirus and so we all wish her a Covidfree tenure.

Shadowcroft Pagan Princess

We hope that you will join us in this celebration of the life of our late patron and that we all have as much fun completing this challenge, and sharing our experiences, as we did in our Centenary year.

It was reported that The ‘Learning with Fells’ scheme will be offered again in 2023, it will be open to all ages, but with priority given to those aged 10-18. Details are on the website at fellponysociety.org.uk The meeting concluded with the presentation of awards, including the youngstock and performance awards that were reported in the last Native Pony Fell News.

A huge ‘Well Done’ to all our award winners; to those who run the award schemes; and those who support the Society in countless different ways.

The Edinburgh Prize – Paul Metcalfe Members were delighted to see Paul Metcalfe be presented with the Edinburgh prize at the AGM. Paul has been involved with Fell Ponies for most of his life; is a wellrespected FPS judge, Council member, breeder and is well known across the Fell Pony Community.

Terry Pendry was unanimously confirmed as an Honorary Member of the Society in recognition of his long service as Head Groom to the late Queen and her Fell ponies. The FPS was blessed to have Her Majesty’s patronage since 1982 and who couldn’t fail to be moved by the image of Terry and Carltonlima Emma amidst the floral tributes on the Long Walk as Her Majesty’s funeral cortege travelled past to her final resting place. Carltonlima Emma was awarded the Lownthwaite Rob trophy which is awarded to the pony that has done the most to publicise the breed outside the show ring.

During 2023 we aim to keep the spirit of the centenary community alive by launching the Queen Elizabeth II Memorial Challenge which will start on her birthday, 21st April, and run to 31st October 2023, and be run along the same lines as the 100 mile challenge we ran in our centenary year. The challenge will

Paul has driven many Fell ponies over the years, including his own gelding Lunesdale Prince Henry and the late George Guy’s stallion Severnvale Grey Bobby as singles and in tandem; both of whom were successful ridden ponies alongside their driving careers. They won many prizes at breed shows and also competed at Royal Windsor.

Prince Henry was also partnered with Murthwaite Murphy and latterly Bobby also pulled an eye-catching London Trolley and competed in Trade classes at various agricultural shows. In recent years, Paul has been driving his own gelding Greenholme Dec, they have been part of the FPS display team, competed at the Breed Show and a number of local agricultural shows.

Paul enjoys judging at various events throughout the season and is always happy to lend advice to those new to the sport. Over the last 12months Paul has been helping fellow

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FPS member Tom Lloyd with his team of Fell Ponies and groomed for him at the breed show in 2022. Paul has taken part in a number of driving demonstrations and training days over the years again passing on his wealth of knowledge to anyone who wants to learn.

Peahill Basil Award – the late Waverhead Dazzler II The late Waverhead Dazzler II (Possum) won the Peahill Basil award, awarded internationally to a single registered Fell Pony for achievements as a veteran 15 years and over with Georgie Lewis Roberts. Possum was 20 years old, and in 2020 he won the Supreme Veteran of the Year at the Veteran Horse Society Championships. He qualified for the Royal International Horse Show in the Intermediate and Amateur classes in 2021, and in 2022 he qualified Amateur and Pretty Polly for RIHS, as well as qualifying for the SSADL veteran class there, by being Champion Veteran at Three Counties Show. He also took part in the Fell Pony Parade at Royal Windsor. He was supreme veteran at Equifest 2022 and also supreme of show at the Senior Showing and Dressage Championships in 2022.

During his life he really showed the versatility of the Fell pony, he did workers, hunted, carried a side saddle, and he was still hacking out regularly, and escorting youngsters as he had such a good temperament. As a stallion he has progeny out competing, both here and abroad.

The Drybarrows Trophy – Greenholme Stud All in hand exhibits at the FPS Stallion & Colt Show, FPS Breed Show and FPS Southern Show are automatically entered for the Breeder’s Trophy donated by the Thompson family in memory of Chris Thompson. The award is calculated on a points basis and awarded to the breeder whose prefix accumulated the highest total points. This year the trophy was awarded to Bill & Isobel Potter of the Greenholme stud.

Shadowcroft Pagan Princess

Endurance Awards Fiona Carradus runs the Endurance Awards scheme and collates points for distances achieved by long distance riders of Fell ponies, with awards for competitive and pleasure riders.

Competitive Distance Winner - Lownthwaite Vincent & Jenny Gilmour Jenny Gilmour found Vinnie, her sixteen-year-old grey Fell pony, when she was looking for a pony for her daughter. who enjoyed him for a couple of years, doing lots of hacking, SJ and PC events; before 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.

Vinnie has a lovely temperament and is brave and fast, whilst being exceptionally sure footed and agile; a perfect endurance pony!

Pleasure Distance Winner – Shadowcroft Pagan Princess & Alison Knight Ally Knight and Shadowcroft Pagan Princess won the pleasure section with 232 kms (accumulative total 430.5 kms). Ally made the long journey from the Forest of Dean to collect her awards and reported that she bought Pagan as a yearling and spent the next 3 years leading her around the forest. Having ridden competitively at Endurance for 30 years Ally decided in my mature years she would concentrate on pleasure rides. She backed Pagan as a 4-year-old but took things very slowly and started again in the following Spring, slowly built up the distance out hacking over the summer and then giving Pagan her first taste of Endurance in a short 12km locally at Christmas. Ally was thrilled that Pagan powered around the route and was evidently going to enjoy Endurance as much as she did.

Over the next few years she went from strength to strength and finally in 2022 Ally decided to make the effort to get her FPS

48 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

Lownthwaite Vincent

Endurance Award sheet filled in and signed at every pleasure ride and submitted it to the FPS at the end of the season.

Although the rides were no more than 32km the kms soon mount up over a season and it was a complete surprise for Ally to open the FPS magazine 2023 and find they had won the Pleasure ride award.

Do please think about joining our points awards schemes, there really are classes for everyone with in hand, performance and endurance; and a new award for 2023 is the Greenholme Shandy Trec award to encourage Fell pony owners to have a go at Trec.

Also, if you think the achievements of a person or pony should be recognized with an award, please send your nomination to the FPS Secretary before 31st December.

CONNEMARA ROUNDUP

Compiled by Julia Woods

BCPS Breed Show Since 1948 the BCPS has held an annual Breed Show, celebrating the best attributes of the Connemara Pony. The Breed show, this year is on the 15th and 16th July at Moreton Morrell, Warwickshire, CV35 9BP and entries close on the 1st July entries through Entrymaster.

The show is now a popular two-day event which includes a variety of competition that highlights the versatility of the breed, as well as several important BCPS championships and National Qualifiers. It is also a great social occasion for the BCPS with competitors travelling from across the country and staying overnight, especially for our famous Al Fresco supper!

that you will also be eligible to be placed in the Connemara event as well - taking your results from the Solihull event. The BCPS give placings for the ODE, the Dressage and the Cross Country phases. There is on site overnight stabling available and please bring a picnic for the Saturday evening.

BCPS Filly Inspections Explained This inspection is to assess the filly for the purpose of breeding, to improve the breed and ensure the characteristics and type that are needed to produce the true to original next generation.

These fillies can be shown, compete and breed foals as with a Class 1 Class 3 Fillies that have not been presented for inspection.

Fillies that are found to have a malocclusion of the jaw.

Fillies who have received a 3 or below on inspection.

Fillies who have not met with the veterinary checks, or who have a negative genetic issue.

Progeny of a Class 3 mare will themselves remain in Class 3 A filly could be deferred for a later inspection if the inspectors have a concern on the day.

If a filly owner wishes to appeal the Society Inspectors decision, the Council will arrange a further inspection during the current year. The owner will be liable for the full cost of such an inspection and applications must be received within 1 month of the original inspection.

BCPS ARENA EVENTING AT PICKERING GRANGE 4th March 2023

Classes include: In Hand ( including Tam O’Shanter qualifiers and finals and NPS qualifiers) Ridden ( including HOYS and NPS qualifiers) Unaffiliated classes Dressage ( NPS qualifiers and BCPS Finals) Show Jumping and Combined Training WHP ( NPS qualifiers, unaffilated and Performance Pony) Please note that non-Connemara pony society members entry fees are double’ The BCPS Performance Day 2023 will be held with Solihull Riding Club’s unaffiliated One Day Event on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd July. This event will be a BCPS Eventers League qualifier. Classes on the Saturday will be 40cms, 50cms and 60cms. Sunday will be 70cms, 80cms, 90cms and 100cms. Please enter on the Solihull Riding Club’s website and put on ‘the notes’ that you are riding a registered pure or part bred Connemara - this means

It is our responsibility – as filly owner and inspectors – to be part of maintaining the breed for the future. As inspectors and pony owners we are all custodians of the breed at this present time.

The mares are just as important as the stallions for breeding and some faults can be passed on and are difficult to improve on.

Hopefully with this information, you can choose the correct stallion to compliment your mare.

Below is a summary of the 3 classes a filly can achieve.

Class 1 Fillies that have passed the Societies Visual Inspections, have had a vet check and measures between 128cms and 148cms.

Class 2 Fillies as above, but which measure either below 128cms or more than 148cms. Fillies that do not reach the required level of Class 1 of the Societies’ inspection but have passed the veterinary check.

The team at Pickering Grange ran a great Arena Eventing competition in their amazing well-equipped arena in Leicester.

The courses included a water complex, steps and a coffin and consisted of a course of show jumps and portable cross-country fences and was a qualifier for the NPS finals held in September at Aston Le Walls.

Several Connemaras successfully competed over the courses of 50cms to 100cms. It is hoped that this competition will be run again next year and if any areas would be interested in running a qualifier, we could incorporate a championships there as well.

Thank You to Gillian Hasberry and Jan Funnell for all their help in organising this event.

PHOTO APPEAL! We are appealing to readers for any archive photos and information for an 80th Anniversary book, coming out soon.

If you have anything of interest, please contact Julia at uglyjulia@hotmail.co.uk

EXMOOR

ROUNDUP The Exmoor Pony Society launches £100,000 Gene Bank Campaign Exmoor stallion Elsinore Alan Partridge first to participate in new programme to have genetic material cryogenically frozen and stored Guardian of the equine breed since 1921, the Exmoor Pony Society’s campaign to help secure the future of the UK’s oldest native breed has progressed significantly since its launch. With £50,000 already raised and committed, the first stallion, Elinsnore Alan Partridge has now donated semen to the gene bank.

The Exmoor pony is Britain’s oldest breed of native pony, thought to be little different from the original wild ponies that colonised Britain many thousands of years ago.

Exmoor ponies can be seen roaming all across Exmoor, and are classed as “Priority” by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.

Historically, the Exmoor pony was used by hill farmers to undertake all kinds of work from being ridden for shepherding to being used in harness for ploughing, harrowing, taking feed to stock and the farmer’s family to market and church.

The new innovative initiative led by the ponies’ breed society will create an Exmoor pony gene bank that will cryogenically preserve genetic material that could safeguard the breed against future disasters.

Nigel Hill, Chairman of the Exmoor Pony Society, said: “It is our role to safeguard the future of the Exmoor pony, one of the most iconic native breeds in the UK. The Exmoor is a ‘Priority’ breed according to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and this means they’re essentially endangered.

“Instrumental in the launch will be the oversight of our recently announced Scientific Advisory Panel, which will lead on genetic research and innovation. The panel is comprised of Exmoor pony experts from the fields of genetics, ecology and veterinary science, which ensures we are well placed to take advantage of developments in equine genetic conservation.”

Q is First to Donate

Q - Elsinore Alan Partridge

Elsinore Alan Partridge, known as ‘Q’ at home is the first stallion to provide genetic material to the initiative. Q is a 15-year old multishow winning registered Exmoor pony. His stable name is simply Q, after the Star Trek character of the same name, and he has sired 12 ponies in the stud book. Q is based at the Suffolk stud owned by mother and daughter breeders Sandy Wooderson and Madeline Haynes.

“We were delighted to be asked to take part in the Gene Bank Campaign,” said Sandy. “We bought Q as a yearling and he really kicked off our love of the breed and our stud. At the age of six he had qualified for the Horse of the Year Show under saddle and has also sired some beautiful stock who are now also winning in the show ring. We are very proud of him!”

Madeline added: “It’s wonderful that the EPS are introducing such a forward thinking initiative, which is paramount for protection

50 | The Native Pony | June 2023 Issue | info@showingworldonline.co.uk

of this rare breed. Learning from history, a catastrophe really could happen. We’re proud to be involved and contribute to protecting this precious native pony that faces the real life possibility of extinction, as well as safe guarding Q’s rare genetic bloodline”.

“In a way, it’s ironic naming him Q after the character in Star Trek, who is an omnipotent and immortal being. The Exmoor pony is far from immortal, but Q’s contribution feels like they now could be!” said Sandy.

“I hope other equine breed societies are able to follow suit.”

The semen donated by Q and other stallions in coming months will be owned by the Exmoor Pony Society, which will co-ordinate the collection and preservation logistics.

Gene Bank Project will safeguard a fragile future The Exmoor pony gene pool is numerically small with only 600 (15%) of the total population

actively breeding; which makes the breed extremely vulnerable. Genetic variation within the gene pool is limited because the population crashed to just 50 individuals during World War II, and many bloodlines then and subsequently were lost.

Cryopreservation – the freezing and storage of genetic material – is now an established strategy for ensuring that, if decimated, a viable population can be restored, or a disappearing bloodline saved. The minimum requirement is for semen samples from 25 stallions, representing as much of the breed’s genetic variation as possible, to be held in long-term storage at two separate locations.

Eight embryos should also be in a breed’s gene bank, but there are currently still technical issues to overcome in equine embryo preservation.

Ecologist Sue Baker, a member of the Exmoor Pony Society’s Scientific Advisory Panel, said: “Currently semen from only six Exmoor stallions is stored in the National Livestock Gene Bank but only three of these have sufficient doses.

“In order to reach the minimum quantity to provide breed ‘catastrophe insurance’, ideally 22 additional

Dr Sue Baker and Nigel Hill

Q with Badleybridge Ab Fab c Equinational

stallions need to contribute 50 doses each. The primary aim of the project is to achieve this within two to three years.

“We need to commit £100,000 to the project to support the costly collection of genetic material and its cryopreservation. The Exmoor Pony Society is part-funding this, to get the project off to the best start, by contributing £50,000. We are looking to raise the additional money through fundraising, legacies and donations.”

The new Scientific Advisory Panel, which has experience in sample design and understands the structure of the Exmoor population, will take on the major task of selecting suitable stallions to represent the variation within the breed.

The Exmoor Pony Society seeks donations towards their Gene Bank Campaign. Full details are available on the Exmoor Pony Society’s website at www.exmoorponysociety.org.uk

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