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

WPCS Judges Seminar 2008

Sunday 16^th March, 2008
Hartpury College, Hartpury, Gloucestershire. GL19 3BE

Conference delegate's pack on view at the reception area

Erin Moss answers a question at the Conference reception area

Steve Dawe (Real Time Imaging) caught the entire conference on film

The largest assembly of Welsh Pony and Cob judges ever, 210 in number, attended the third in a series of conferences which was held at Hartpury College on Sunday, 16^th March. This was also the first time to have ponies and cobs present, 40 in number, a very good selection including some well-known winners. In addition there were 92 members present including some intending to sit the judges assessment in future years. The Hartpury Arena proved to be a convenient venue for the delegates who had travelled from all over the UK and there were also members present from Holland and France.

Speakers and their families

WPCS President, Len Bigley thanks all the Conference speakers for their contribution to a successful day

The morning programme concentrated on type, movement and conformation with experienced speakers, Mrs Ann Overton-Ablitt (Colne Stud) section A, Mrs Ann Bigley (Llanarth Stud) section B and Welsh Part-Breds, Mrs Charmian Middleton (Ross Stud) section C and Mr Peter Jones (Menai Stud) section D. All speakers agreed that the ponies and cobs had to be bred for a purpose, the modern market being for ridden animals. Welsh ponies and cobs also won all the supremes at the 2007 World Driving Championships and the driven aspect will be a topic at the next Conference. The consistent message was that correct conformation leads to suitability for performance. Essential requirements are a good length of front, a wither which will keep a saddle in place, strong quarters and hind legs, good limbs and free straight movement. All emphasised the need for animals to walk freely.

Speakers from left: Mr John James, Mrs Ann Overton-Ablitt, Mrs Julie Templeton, Mrs Ann Bigley, Mr Peter Jones, Mr Matthew Lawrence, Mrs Kathleen James, Mrs Charmian Middleton

Mrs Overton-Ablitt obviously had a favourite type, her Colne Stud was based on the great-moving “Coed Coch” ponies and have met great success for thirty-five years; the ridden scene has greatly benefited from her breeding policy and her outstanding yearling colt Colne Turbo topped the 2007 Fayre Oaks Sale.

Mrs Ann Overton-Ablitt discussing Section A

Section A speaker, Ann Overton-Ablitt with the Section A ponies used in the demonstration

Welsh Section A breeder, Betty French, asks a question from the floor

Mrs Ann Bigley described the variation of type within section B but that her “ideal” has substance closely akin to the “hunter pony”. She emphasised the need for good riding shape which involved a good length of rein, good shoulder and clean wither. Comparison was made by the speaker on section B’s in continental Europe which were stronger in their movement and many have been trained to perform dressage movements. Though the section B is a quality pony, it was stressed that this should never be an excuse for weediness.

Mrs Ann Bigley discussing Section B

Ann Bigley with one of the Section B's used in the demonstration

Mrs Charmian Middleton addressed the question with regards to height influencing type; she declared her own preference to be near the upper height limit of 137 cm and felt the smaller 122 cm pony was rather lacking in type. This generated lively discussion from the audience, some declaring a growing trend of over-height animals being shown in hand. She then gave an interesting insight of the proportions one should look for in any equine and how various measurements across the body relate to one another.

Mrs Charmian Middleton discussing Section C

Section C speaker, Charmian Middleton with Justin Davis and one of the ponies he supplied for the Conference

Mr Peter Jones felt that action should not only involve the bend of the knee but also extend the leg forward. It is the action of the Welsh breeds, handed down to us from our forefathers who were brilliant “stock men” that sets the Welsh breeds apart and made Wales world-famous. Mr Jones was fortunate to have four animals forward who were all proven champions and exceptional examples of the breed. He emphasised the need for a good front relating it to his past riding experience acknowledging the need for an engine behind. The audience obviously acknowledged Mr Jones’s experience, a home-bred, home-produced “Menai” section D was the brilliant M&M ridden champion at the 2007 Horse of the Year Show.

Mr Peter Jones discussing Section D

Peter Jones explains lie of shoulder on a Welsh Cob filly

Mrs Ann Bigley drew on her extensive experience of breeding both part-bred ponies and horses, many “Llanarth” part-bred horses having gone on to be household names in the International Eventing world. She stressed that there can be no “type” for a part-bred since some can have as little as 12.5% Welsh blood while others can be almost 100%. The Welsh part-bred is a performance animal and the eight animals forward on the day clearly showed the vast range of jobs that they could be used for. When judging, an open mind should always be kept and the basis for judgement, according to the speaker, was one of “fit for the purpose” through sound conformation and movement. From small beginnings in the 1960’s, compared with the other sections which have been in existence for many hundreds of years, the Welsh part-breds have proved to be so versatile and popular that they now constitute a major proportion of the Welsh Stud Book, the 1,922 animals registered in 2007 representing 19% of the annual total compared with 3,670 (36%) A’s, 2,504 (24%) D’s, 1,152 (11%) B’s and 1,079 (10%) C’s.

Ann Bigley discusses the performance aspect of the Welsh Part Breds

The afternoon programme dealt with riding issues and the WPCS was extremely fortunate to have the services of two of the leading world experts, Mrs Julie Templeton and Mr Matthew Lawrence, from outside the Society to disseminate their knowledge with us.

Mrs Templeton’s topic was assessing suitability, manners and way of going in the lead rein and first ridden pony. There was again an excellent selection of ponies for the speaker to demonstrate on, ranging for a four-year-old novice to a previous HOYS champion. The performance aspect of judging these classes was emphasised over and over again with the speaker highlighting the need for ponies with excellent temperament for these small children making the first steps into equestrianism. Other important aspects of performance included even stride, balanced and correct but not over-exaggerated movement, still head carriage and complete acceptance of their small jockey. We were explained some of the “tricks of the trade” such as the leader speeding up on corners and slowing down on the straight so that the pony had a constant pace. Mrs Templeton has a special affinity for the first ridden class claiming it to be her favourite; she loved to see well-schooled ponies taking care of the not-so-experienced riders without the comfort of a lead rein. A little experience in the show-ring as a yearling is an advantage but preferably not over-shown and over-trotted at two and three.

Julie Templeton with some of the young riders and ponies who performed in the 'mini' section

Mr Matthew Lawrence gave a clearly structured approach to tackling the judging of WHP classes; he had an excellent collection of ponies and cobs on which to base his presentation. Each pony in turn jumped the course and this was followed by a structured analysis of the round with the speaker allocating a mark for jumping style with appropriate reasons. The course set for the animals in the spacious Hartpury Arena allowed the animals to tackle the course at true hunting pace. A similar pattern of demonstration, comment and marking was applied to the second phase of the competition when manners had to be assessed.

Matthew Lawrence refers to the WPCS newly published Judging and Showing Handbook

Mrs Kathleen James commented on the ridden animals forward within section A and B and Mr John James on the ridden C’s and D’s. Following each animal’s individual show, the speakers discussed the pros and cons and gave reasons for the allocation of a mark. This allowed the audience the opportunity to compare the performances with a mark. This generated spirited discussion with the audience and some useful exchanges of views which was one of the core objectives of the day. Both speakers stressed that their reasons were an expression of their own view of performance and appreciated that there was room for a difference of opinion or a difference on emphasis by individual judges. Not all judges have the same priorities. In both the WHP and flat classes, the speakers emphasised the need for a good walk, free movement, extension in the gallop and smooth transitions.

Mrs Kathleen James discussing ridden Sections A & B

Kathleen James explains her set show to a Section A rider

Mr John James discussing ridden Sections C & D

John James explains what he looks for in a ridden Welsh C and D class

The Conference was organised by the WPCS Judging and Showing Committee which was chaired by Mrs Jocelyn Price and much credit must be given to her enthusiasm and attention to detail. Mrs Price has now retired from the WPCS Council under the new Articles of Association and consequently from the Chairmanship of the Committee. The other two Committee members and Conference organisers were Mr Daniel Morgan and Mr Edwin Prosser. The Judging and Showing Committee is greatly indebted to Messrs David Blair and Tom Best of the Waxwing Stud who contributed significantly to the organisation of the Conference and acted as Ring master and steward on the day.

Jocelyn Price, Conference organiser and Chairman of the WPCS Judging and Showing Committee along with her granddaughter Lucy Morris

Edwin Prosser, WPCS Judging and Showing Committee member & Conference organiser, at work during the day

WPCS Judging and Showing Committee member & Conference organiser, Daniel Morgan. helps at the ringside

The Conference is part of the on-going programme of education within the WPCS, an essential element for the Society to retain its charitable status. Questionnaires completed by the delegates showed that 25% regarded the Conference as “excellent”, 56% as “very good”, 18% as “good” i.e. a total of 91% as “good or better”. The Conference organisers are also very greatly indebted to the Office staff who worked hard with the preparations and were present in strength.

WPCS Exhibition Unit Manager, Erin Moss & WPCS Office Manager, Gwyneira Edwards, on duty at Hartpury

WPCS President, Len Bigley, draws the 2008 Conference to a close

Report by Dr Wynne Davies
Publicity Officer.

Photographs by Dr Wynne Davies and Tom Best

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