The Welsh Pony and Cob Society
Cymdeithas y Merlod a'r Cobiau Cymreig

AGM 2009

Saturday 7^th March, 2009
Llandudno, North Wales

The 110th Annual General Meeting of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society was held under the Presidency of Mr Len Bigley, Llanarth Stud at Venue Cymru, Llandudno on Saturday 7th March. Over 400 members attended including several from overseas.

Mrs Jan Pearce (Glyncoch), chair of Finance guided the members through the balance sheet which showed a turnover of over £1m. The other chairs of Committees outlined their activities during the year, Mr Jeff Parry (Talponciau) on Education and Welfare, Miss Sue Hardy (Briarth) on Promotions and Mr Edwin Prosser (Mintfield) on Judging and Showing. The chief officer Mrs Gian Fazey-Koven resigned in July 2008 and the staff are to be congratulated for keeping proceedings ticking over in the absence of a chief officer.

In the absence through serious illness of the chairman, Mr John Russell (Gartconnel) the chairman’s report was delivered by the vice-chairman Mr David Williams (Moelgarnedd). A total of 10,276 animals were registered during 2008 made up of 35% section A, 11% B, 10% C, 25% D and 19% Welsh part-breds. This showed an increase on 9,137 in 2007 and 9,707 in 2006. Exports at 592 for 2008 were up 51% on the previous year led by 149 to Holland and 91 to France. Exports to Australia were up from 1 in 2007 to 8. Home transfers during the year amounted to 10,971. Stallions licensed during the year showed a decrease from 550 to 487. The membership at 7,894 comprises 1,784 life members and 6,110 annual members.

Mrs Gwyneira Edwards, Mr David Williams and Mr Len Bigley
Lowri Jones (Nerwyn Stud) at the Clwyd Welsh Pony & Cob Association stand	(left to right) Caryl Oldfield (Carylmai stud), Alison Davis (Llanalyn stud) and Margi Edwards (Nefydd Stud)

Mrs Gwyneira Edwards & Mr Len Bigley

Honorary Life Membership was conferred by the President upon Mr Mark Bullen (Australia), Mr Cliff Holland (Calerux), Mr Kevin Townsend (New Zealand) and Mr Basil Williams (Llwynneath) and Honorary Life Vice-Presidency upon Mr Lewis Edwards (Maesgwyn), Mr Gareth Evans (Hewid), Mr Brynmor Jones (Fronarth), Mrs Jocelyn Price (Courtway), Mrs Lorna Reynolds (Springbourne), Mr Nelson Smith (Trevallion) and Mr John Williams (Seiont).

The sire rating trophies were presented to Mr and Mrs Watkins (Blackhill Picalo, section A), Mr Dewi Evans (Eyarth Tayma, B), Mr Owen Jones (Nebo Bouncer, C) and Mr Meirion Evans (Gwynfaes Culhwch, D). Miss Laura Hutchins of the famous Bengad Stud was presented with the Brodrick memorial trophy. The Debbie Dunbar painting for the champion section B at the Royal Welsh Show was presented to Mr and Mrs John Carter for Millcroft Dahlia. Life-time Achievement awards were made to Dr Wynne Davies and his wife Ruth for outstanding service to the Society over 60 years.

Members of Council

Dr Wynne Davies, Publicity Officer, described a very successful year with a top price of £11,000 (Rosmarche Huckleberry) and Sale total of £364,595 for the Fayre Oaks Sale and a top price of £12,000 (filly foal Abergavenny Princess Yasmin) and Sale total of £664,496 for the Royal Welsh Sale. At the Horse of the Year Show Drumacre Lloer Solo (D) was champion ridden Mountain & Moorland, Trefynys Princess Saskia ( C ) was M&M Working Hunter Pony champion, Abbeybells Queen Adelaide (A) was M&M mini champion, Rhos Emblem (WPB) was riding pony champion and Pinewell Bucks Fizz (A) was Cuddy In-hand champion. At Olympia Delami Destiny (A) was 2nd out of 37 qualifiers with Drumacre Lloer Solo (4th), Cottrell Amaretto (best of breed B) and Wyken Lady Jasmine (best of breed C).

Mr Len Bigley displays the Debbie Dunbar 2008 Award of a portrait of the Section B Royal Welsh Champion, Millcroft Dahlia, owned by Mr & Mrs Carter.	Life Time Achievement Award for outstanding service to WPCS - presentation to Dr Wynne Davies and his wife Ruth by acting Chairman, Mr David Williams.

The retiring Young Ambassadors Alex Kelly and Daniel Hughes had been a credit to the Society and officiated and assisted at many events during the year; Lauren Hadley the in-coming Young Ambassador has already organised fund-raising events and Gail Butler from Glamorgan was installed as Young Ambassador-Elect. Mr Gareth Watkins of the Danyddraig Stud, Abercanaid, Merthyr Tydfil was awarded a students bursary.

Mr Terry Court accepts his nomination for the post of President Elect	Young Ambassador Elect Miss Gail Butler
Miss Sue Hardy, Chair Promotions Committee	Miss Lauren Hadley receiving the Derwen Harp as Young Ambassador

David Blair, editor was congratulated for producing the 2009 Journal with 768 pages and advertising income of £59,000 two weeks ahead of schedule. Two publications which appeared during the year were “Cobiau Campus Cymru” (Winning Welsh Cobs) from Gomer Press and “Sixty Years of Royal Welsh Champions” from J A Allen. 500 copies of “Sixty Years” were sold in the first month.

Outgoing President congratulates newly-elected President, Mr William Lloyd	Mr Len Bigley presenting the Miss Brodrick Trophy to Miss Laura Hutchins

A vote of thanks to the retiring President was given by Mr Peter Jones (Menai) and seconded by Mr Dai Davies (Glanrannell); Mr William Lloyd (Geler) was installed as President with Mr Terry Court of Brightwells as President-Elect.

Mr Jeff Parry, Chair of Education & Welfare Committee	Mr Edwin Prosser, Chair Judging and Showing Standing Committee

The Brightwells Sales Champagne Moment trophies were presented to Mr Lyndon Morgan-Foley (Fayre Oaks), Jones family, Fronarth (Royal Welsh Sale), Mr Jonathon Batt (foal trophy), Mrs Abbey Gregory (brood mare trophy) and Mr Henrie Leeuwenhaag (Brightwells Perpetual trophy).

Mr Meirion Evans receives the Section D award for Gwynfaes Culhwch	Mr Owen Jones acepts the Section C trophy for Nebo Bouncer

As a result of postal ballot plus voting of the members present, the following were elected to serve on Council for the period 2009 – 2012: Lady Evans-Bevan (Bronllys), Mr Steve Everitt (Tireve), Mrs Lisa Reed (Tyngwndwn), Mrs Elizabeth Russell (Gartconnel) and Mr Gethyn Williams (Hendre).

Mr Dewi Evans receives the Section B award for Eyarth Tayma	Miss Jess Hansford accepts the Section A award for Blackhill Picalo
Mr John Williams accepting Honorary Life Vice-President	Mr John Kirk accepts Honorary Life Membership on behalf of Mr Basil Williams
Mrs Jocelyn Price accepts Honorary Life Vice-President	Mr Gwyn Jones accepts Honorary Life Vice-President on behalf of Brynmor Jones
Mrs Pat Lewis accepts Honorary Life Vice-President on behalf of Mr Lewis Edwards	Mr Gareth Evans accepts Honorary Life Vice-President
Mr Lyndon Morgan-Foley receives the Fayre Oaks Champagne Moment Trophy from Mr Terry Court	Mr Frank Morgan of Brightwells presenting the Cob Sales Champagne Moment Trophy to Mrs Nicola Jones Frongoy Stud.
Jonathon Batt receives the Brightwells Foal Trophy from Catryn Bigley	Mrs Lisa Reed accepting the Brightwells Perpetual trophy on behalf of Henri Leeuwenhaag from Mr Terry Court and Mr Frank Morgan

Mr George Mitchell accepting the Brightwells Brood Mare Award on behalf of Mrs Abbey Gregory from Miss Catryn Bigley of Brightwells

Report by Dr Wynne Davies
Photographs by Tom Best

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