President's Report
7th July 2025
Dear Members,
I am writing this, my first report, some two and a half years earlier than expected, and without having served the customary two-year term as Vice President. Nevertheless, it is an honour and a privilege to serve as President and to be an ambassador for the Shetland Pony.
Council met on the 3rd and 4th of July, and I am pleased to report that it was an extremely productive and encouraging meeting.
A key part of the discussions centred around ‘The Way Forward’ for both Council and the Society. Our primary focus will remain the preservation of the purity of the Shetland Pony, and the continued promotion, breeding and protection of the breed—not only within the Shetland Islands and the rest of the UK, but globally, in line with our constitution.
It was recognised that communication with our members must improve. We hope you will begin to notice quicker, more comprehensive responses to your correspondence. Currently, Council meets four times per year, which can result in delays. At present, correspondence must be submitted at least 14 days prior to a meeting. We plan to reduce this timeframe to less than one week to ensure that as much correspondence as possible can be considered and responded to in a timely manner.
As requested by some members, we are currently exploring the potential for easier access to meeting minutes. As this will involve a change to the Society’s constitution, it must be implemented with care and regard to legislative requirements.
Council met with the society’s accountants on 4th July, and despite recent challenging trading conditions, the society remains in a stable financial position. We are currently exploring where efficiencies can be made in order to strengthen the society going forward.
I am delighted to announce that Miss Corinna Seipp has been elected as the next Vice President of the Society, effective immediately. Additionally, Mrs Mary Davenport has been co-opted onto Council for the remainder of this year and 2026 following the resignation of Ms Catherine Evans. Both Miss Seipp and Mrs Davenport bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I am confident they will be valuable additions to Council.
Regional Groups continue to play a vital role in the Society, offering opportunities for members through well-supported shows, training days, social events, and a chance to reconnect with long-standing acquaintances and make new friends. I am especially pleased with the reinstatement of the North West and Borders Group. This is a significant step forward for a large geographical area, and the enthusiasm and hard work already evident from the committee are sure signs of its future success.
I look forward to meeting as many members as possible at the AGM and Breed Show in August.
Kind regards,
Nick
SPS-BS President