Wessex Shetland Pony Group
Wessex Shetland Pony Group
The Wessex Shetland Pony Group works within a 60 mile radius of the Royal Bath & West Showground. Although members are welcomed from further afield, the events are held within this radius. Our aim is to unite Shetland pony owners and breeders within the Wessex area and capture their enthusiasm to enjoy and promote this lovely breed.
The first group show of the year is the Spring Show which is held at the Kingfisher Equestrian centre near Castle Cary in March, this is an ideal opportunity to practise with your young stock before going to the bigger events.
In August we hold the group’s main summer show. It is at this show that we present perpetual trophies to our members on winning their class. Our final show of the year is in October at a lovely spacious indoor arena, which is always the ideal start for the year’s foals to practise ready for the following year.
We finish the year with a Christmas lunch at the end of the year.
The advantages of being a member of the Wessex Shetland Pony Group:
1. Join a group of enthusiastic pony owners and breeders
2. Regular informative and friendly newsletters throughout the year
3. Several group shows a year which are all affiliated to the Shetland Pony Stud-Book Society
4. Perpetual trophy for the winner of each class at the main summer show
5. Group Christmas Lunch
6. Annual Show Awards to celebrate your success in the ring at group shows
7. Reduced entry fees at all group shows
8. Promotion of young handler and ridden classes at the group shows
9. Special Wessex Shetland Pony Group rosettes presented at affiliated shows for the highest placed group member in the class on presentation of a current membership card.
2011 was another busy and successful year for the Wessex Shetland Pony Group, holding four group shows and a lovely Christmas lunch at the Holbrook House Hotel in Wincanton with the presentation of the group show awards.
The first show in March was held at the Kingfisher equestrian centre Nr Castle Cary, right in the heart of the Wessex area. It is a beautiful, light and airy arena which saw large class sizes in both the standard and miniature pony rings. On the day we were blessed with good weather and everyone was enthusiastic for the new showing season which promoted a friendly atmosphere encouraging the new members who had brought their ponies. After a hard day’s judging Mrs F Hammond and Mrs G Cowell chose the standard gelding, Yaffle of Breamore as their Supreme Champion.
After barely having time for a break at lunch time they found their Supreme Champion from the miniature ring and the reserve from the standard ring.
The early summer show in June was held at the Town & Country fayre, unfortunately this day saw the worse rain of the entire summer, it absolutely poured down but not one single exhibitor failed to turn up. The judges were in their wellies and waterproofs, whilst the exhibitors squelched around the ring, neither were deterred. With a fantastic amount of exhibits, Mrs C Seipp & Mrs S Seward had a very busy day with very full classes in both the miniature and the standard pony ring. The main summer show in August was held at Wincanton racecourse, fortunately the day gave us lovely weather, no wellies required this time, thankfully!
Mr D Kaye judged in the Miniature ring whilst Mrs M Davenport in the standard ring, both had plenty of exhibits to judge.
Two of the exhibits who enjoyed success at the 2011 summer show
Lovaton Waterlilly Eiger Libby
November saw the group holding the last of our four shows which was in the beautiful arena at Kingston Maurward College in Dorchester, with judges
Mrs J Jones and Mrs A Sergeant.
The last show of the year was in October at the lovely Kingston Maurward Equestrian centre. The Wessex Group have been very fortunate to have generous sponsorship from the Equine clothing Company who this year gave the owner of the Supreme Champion at each show a lovely embroidered fleece jacket. The picture below shows Delia holding her embroidered fleece jacket which she won in October, just right for the colder weather.
Several awards were presented, with Susie Henderson and Gordon Smith’s Yaffle of Breamore taking the overall Accumulator Award for the most points gained by one pony throughout the year, a versatile pony which is shown in-hand and under saddle.
Best Junior Miniature Pony winner – Mrs G Mather
The other category winners were:
Junior Young Handler – Bella Bride
Runner up Junior Young Handler – Shannon King
Senior Young Handler – Eve Richardson
Runner up Senior Young Handler – Catherine King
Best Ridden Pony combination was won by Beccy Chapman
Best Junior Miniature Pony – Shawdene Bouloux Bon Bon
Best Junior Standard Pony – Coppice Maggie May
Best Senior Miniature Pony – Edern Pansi
Best Senior Standard Pony – Yaffle of Breamore
Best Miniature Pony Newcomer – Laura, Susannah & Andrew Willment
Best Standard Pony Newcomer – Delia Woodley
Accumulator Winner – Yaffle of Breamore
The winning younger group members
The afternoon was rounded off with a raffle and an auction, all of the items being generously donated by the group members.
Frank & Carol Hodder and Jenny Gamblin would like to express our thanks to all of the group members who have supported us and our functions throughout 2011 and wish everyone a successful year in 2012.
www.wessexshetlandponygroup.co.uk
The finale for the group in 2011 was the Christmas lunch and Awards presentation, 80 group members and their guests had a wonderful time in the beautifully tranquil surroundings of the beautiful old Manor House known as the Holbrook House Hotel & Spa.
Events for 2012
All shows are affiliated to the SPS-BS
Spring Show
Sunday 25th March 2012
Main Summer Show
Sunday August 19th 2012
Autumn Show
Sunday October 28th 2012
Christmas Lunch & Awards Presentation
Sunday December 2nd 2012
The Holbrook House Country Hotel & Spa,
Wincanton, Somerset BA9 8BS
