President's Report
Dear Members,
I am writing this report for July despite the fact that we were unable to hold Council Meeting on 3rd July as hoped as I felt that you might like to have a short letter giving what news I can.
Claire and Victoria are now back in the office and Pauline and Kate are due to return on Monday 27th July when their furlough ends. Claire and Victoria are doing well managing at half strength but we all look forward to Pauline and Kate’s return.
As you will all be aware the Covid 19 Restrictions are slowly easing, Scotland and Wales at present being more cautious than England. Like so many of you I am very sad that we are unable to hold a Breed Show but am delighted that next year the Breed Show will go ahead under the very able management of Julian Walters, David Hodge and their committee in August 2021. The International Show has also moved it’s 2020 Show in France to 2021 using the same venue and date (23 – 25 July) as this year would have had.
The SPSBS will not be affiliating any shows this year, due, obviously, to the Covid 19 restrictions and I have personally written to all our Probationary Judges saying how sorry I am that they will not be able to probation at any shows this year. It is possible that a few areas may decide to hold late autumn unaffiliated small shows, under Covid rules, but this will depend on the restrictions and obviously no Probationary Judge would wish to go to a show not being held in the usual correct way. Judging this year is going to be a complete wash out as far as shows are concerned which is a huge disappointment to me as it will be to so many of you, not only to show our ponies but also to enjoy meeting friends and sharing news, always one of the nicest things about any show.
We are hoping to be able to hold our October Council Meeting but I must stress that it is still not definite, the Scottish government are, quite rightly, being very strict on what may or may not be done and who knows what the Autumn will hold but I am keeping my fingers tightly crossed that we will be able to meet! OSCR have given us a dispensation regarding holding the required number of Council Meetings and the same for an AGM should we not be allowed to have the Sale of Registered Ponies at Worcester.
I have spoken to many of our members who, like me, are enjoying their foals, the early part of Lockdown was such lovely weather and some of us had more time for playing with foals than we usually have. Claire tells me that she has had a large amount of requests for foal registration forms so hopefully we will all be enjoying a 2021 crop of foals.
I do think of you all with your many and various difficulties during this particularly hard time and for those of you whose family or friends or family have been touched too closely by the virus, it has been a time unlike any we have ever known during our lives and I really do send you all my thoughts and hopes that you are coping with the Covid difficulties.
With all my very best wishes,
Anne
(Countess De La Warr, President SPSBS)
