Please find the link to the Breed Show entry forms here – www.spborkney2026.com/entries

Council welcomed and introduced new board members.

Attendance: council members present, apologies noted.

Confidentiality and conduct reminders.

October and Zoom meetings minutes approved and follow up actions implemented.

New members applications approved.

Costings for a fire alarm system to be obtained, an electrical survey is due together with a building survey.

Groups to be reminded that membership cards need to be shown in order to receive Bronze Medals.

The Council is in continuous contact with the Scottish Government about the issue of Silver Dapple Ponies. Updates to be posted in due course.

Breeder contacts have been requested from Azerbaijan, the office to send a stud book.

Members to be encouraged to fill in gift aid form, forms to be emailed to all.

Council is exploring various grant options including lottery funding and Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust grants as the building is in need of repairs.  The office building is situated in a conservation area of Perth and might have historical value.

The Society covers the cost of an evening meal and lunchtime sandwiches for council members at meetings four times a year. This was discussed and found to be a reasonable practice.

Staff salaries and hourly rates discussed. Minimum wage increase from 1^st April 2026

HR companies approached for costings to update staff contracts. Feedback to be discussed at next meeting.

Council discussed how to better utilise the Grassroots system.

Judges Seminar in March to be open to all, speakers confirmed.

Starting from 2027, one seminar to be held a year, moving strategically around the country.

NPS/Hoys: Miss Emily Mayfield was agreed to be the societies NPS Young Person representative.

The Royal Agricultural Society was approached to act as future scrutineers for the society.

2027 Breed Show to be held at Lincoln Showground on the 8th August.

Council reviewed terms and conditions for society sales concerning welfare issues raised at past sales. Improvements to be implemented across the board.

The biannual magazine was discussed, members to be encouraged to provide articles, new print options for the studbooks are being looked into.

Improvements to downloadable forms from the society’s website. From 2027 all forms will be available to download to save postage. If requested by post, a fee will be applicable. Further details in due course.

Silver Medals to be discussed at next meeting. 

Council meeting dates:

Thursday 16th & Friday 17th April,
Thursday 25th & Friday 26th June,
Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October.

We were delighted that 20 year old Emily Mayfield represented the society at the inaugural National Pony Society Mountain & Moorland Young Persons M&M Zoom meeting on Thursday 12th March.

This new initiative from the NPS brings together young representatives from the Mountain & Moorland breed societies – our next generation of handlers, riders, and breeders – to talk and collaborate with others who have a passion for their native breeds.

Emily described it as a real honour to represent the society and said the meeting was ‘fabulous’, with a huge range of ideas discussed and shared amongst the young representatives and attendees.

The meeting was hosted by the NPS’ M&M representative, Mrs Janet James, who later thanked all participating breed societies, commenting, “All of the representatives were a credit to their Breed Society, enthusiastic, sharing their ideas, keen to be part of a wider group, and much more, which was excellent.”

Are you a society member aged 18–30? We have the opportunity to nominate another young person to represent the society alongside Emily at the next NPS Young Persons M&M zoom meeting in July.

This is a great chance to share your ideas, represent other young members, and take part in discussions that help shape the future of the society.

If you would like to be considered, please submit a short written response of at least 150 words explaining:
• Why you would be a suitable representative for the society, and
• What you feel you could contribute to the meeting and wider discussions.

Please send your responses to claire@spsbs.co.uk by16/04/2026

We’re looking forward to hearing from our young members and reading your responses.

As of 1st January 2026 our microchips will be £10.00 each.

October Council Meeting

Council met on 30th-31st October 2025 with Corinna Seipp presiding.

Topics included membership, event feedback, member complaints, rulebook review and finance.

Attendance: council members present; apologies noted.

Confidentiality and conduct reminders.

Previous meeting minutes approved, follow-up actions implemented.

New member applications approved.

Council receives a request from the Royal Highland Show to provide a short list of judges for their 2026 show. A list of all current judges is to be sent to the Secretary of the 2026 Royal Highland Show, minus the Intermediate Judges and those who will be judging the 2026 Breed Show.

Discussed welfare breaches and complaints, including a welfare issue concerning a pony at the Aberdeen Sale. Council will investigate and decide on actions.   It was also noted that some vendors left ponies without hay or water, a reminder of the welfare requirements to be included in the sale entry form.

Lerwick Sale had good feedback.

Issues regarding parking problems at the Worcester sale were brought to Council’s attention; this will be addressed with the auctioneers to achieve a satisfactory solution.

Positive correspondence discussed and appropriate replies drafted.

Building maintenance and possible grants were discussed, and a new fire door is to be installed.

Positive feedback received from the last Judges seminar; Council is looking to put in place a 3-year seminar schedule, which should make it easier for judges to plan their attendance.

Council reviewed the Rulebook, and minor adjustments are to be implemented for 2026.

Retiring Council members, including the Past President, were thanked for their support and contribution to the Society during their terms.

Council Meeting dates for 2026:
Thursday 19th & Friday 20th February
Thursday 16th & Friday 17th April

At present, the SPS-BS is not aware of any silver/silver gene Shetland ponies, referred to in the SPSBS statement silver/silver gene, being registered in the UK Shetland Pony Stud-Book.
All ponies accepted, rejected or removed from UK or European Stud Books must be done in line with EU legislation.
The SPS-BS is in the process of researching this matter through the Scottish Government and the UK Ministry.

Individual questions from members or non-members on this matter will not be answered.

 After extensive research, it has become apparent that there are abnormalities within the pedigrees of Shetland ponies of the colour Silver or carriers of the Silver Gene.  
The SPSBS (Mother Stud-Book Society) strongly advises its members/breeders and members/breeders of its Daughter Societies not to use ponies of the colour Silver or carriers of the Silver Gene within their breeding programs for registered pure-bred Shetland ponies.
Investigation and research into this is ongoing and may result in registered Shetland ponies of the colour Silver or Silver Gene being removed from all Stud Books for pure-bred Shetland ponies.

It was a great honour to be invited to judge at the Hyllestad Show. The venue could not have been more spectacular—set beside a beautiful lake with mountains rising in the background, and blessed with fine weather, it created a truly memorable atmosphere for exhibitors and spectators alike.

The turnout was excellent, with both standard and miniature ponies of consistently high quality presented throughout the day. The event was extremely well organised, with every detail thoughtfully managed, including the presentation of wonderful rosettes for all classes.

A full report will appear in the next issue of the Stud Book Magazine, prepared by the Norwegian show organisers.

Corinna

The Norwegian Daughter Stud Book hosted this year’s International Shetland Pony Committee (ISPC) meeting at the Hotel Sognefjord in Leirvik. Set against a stunning natural backdrop, the hotel provided excellent facilities and comfortable accommodation for the delegates.

Representatives from Norway, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Poland, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and United Kingdom were in attendance.

Key topics discussed included:

• Silver Dapple: Thoroughly debated; further details will be shared in due course.
• Asymmetrical Heads in Shetland Ponies: No scientific evidence currently suggests this condition affects ponies’ health or explains its cause.
• Colour Nomenclature: The Mother Stud Book records coat colours by phenotype (see breed description), while some Daughter Stud Books use genetic testing (genotype) for classification.
• Artificial Hair: The use of artificial hair on ponies remains strictly prohibited in the show ring.
• International Show: France presented a overview of the costs involved in organizing the event.
• Slovenia: An application for ISPC membership has been submitted; approval from the Slovenian ministry is still pending.
• ISPC Meeting 2026: The UK Mother Stud Book will host, with the specific venue to be determined by the Council.

The meeting was a valuable opportunity for international collaboration and exchange, ensuring the continued welfare and promotion of the Shetland pony.

2025 International Show France

https://gallery.equinepix.co.uk/theshetlandsocietybreedshow2025/

Please note that our shop has been updated with our latest clothing products.

As there are multiple colours and sizes, please add your requirements (colour/size) in the additional notes section at the checkout or alternatively call 01738 623471 and ask for Victoria or you can email me at victoria@spsbs.co.uk and we can discuss your order.

As of the 1st of January 2024 the following price increases will come into force:

Subscriptions:
Individual Annual £40.00
Joint Annual £70.00
Junior £17.50
Family £90.00
Life £1,000.00
Annual Crofter £30.00
Life Crofter £450.00
Associate £30.00
Late penalty fee £10.00

Registrations:
Passport amendments £15.00
Duplicate passport £40.00
Keeper registration £20.00
Import £250.00

Miscellaneous:
Priority service £30.00
Extra rosettes £3.00 each

The Society would like to remind breeders that as of 1st January 2024, all first foaling/maiden mares must have their DNA profile completed prior to foal registration.  Please bear this in mind when submitting foal registrations as this may mean they take longer to complete.  We would encourage breeders to get mares DNA profiled in advance of foal registration. The cost will be £60.00 this will be for the DNA and the mare registration.

BHF BB update press release 111023

Instructional video – how to take a hair sample

Legislation requires all equines born before July 2009 to be microchipped.

This will come into force on the following dates

England – 1st October 2020
Wales – 12th February 2021
Scotland – 28th March 2021

Your vet should add the barcode sticker to the passport above the silhouette and sign and stamp it.  The vet must then notify the society by post or email, giving the pony’s name and registration number and the number of the chip inserted.