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

National Welsh & Part Bred Championship Show 2007

Started in 2003 the ‘Welsh National’ has developed into one of the major shows for Welsh ponies and cobs attracting entries from all parts of the UK and spectators worldwide. This year’s event, on Sunday 5^th August, will again be held on the popular Shrewsbury showground of the Shropshire and West Midlands Agricultural Society.Entries to date show a healthy increase for the 100 scheduled classes and also the various prestigious National Supreme Championships which are also well subscribed with most of the season’s best competing.

The leading auctioneer firm, Brightwells is again giving generous financial support to the show through their sponsorship of the section A, B, C and D in hand classes with the champions receiving the much sought after Brightwells rug and a qualifying ticket into the respective National Championship.

Chris and Pat Gibbons of the Rhydspence Stud again generously sponsor the National Supreme In Hand Championships with £2500 going to the five sections which also includes Part- breds. New for 2007 are the National Youngstock Specials awarded within the ‘Nationals’ with the winners each receiving a bag of Equilibra.

Ridden animals are not to be out done and also have a full classification concluding with their own ‘National Finals’. Like all National finals they carry very generous prize money which for the ridden has been kindly given by Mrs Ceri Fell of the Brynseion Stud with £3000 on offer for the finals and includes Lead Rein and First Ridden Ponies.

The show was originally conceived to provide a platform for the promotion of the Welsh Part-bred so it is of little surprise that a full classification exists for this important section of the Stud Book with classes for both large and small part-breds. The Scottish based Bedlay Stud sponsor the £500 National Welsh Part-bred Ridden Championship probably the most diverse of the day with entries ranging from lead rein ponies to hunters!

Welsh bloodlines have long been sought after in the performance field with many animals taking top awards at major events both ridden and driven. The NFU Mutual, long-time loyal supporter of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society, has for 2007 sponsored the new National Performance Championships with a £1200 prize fund on offer.

Young people are also well catered for with a handlers’ competition as well as a Junior Club Members Championship. However on the eve of the show, budding young judges take centre stage when they compete to be the Young Judge of the Year and with it a bursary for their own Association. Competition is always of the highest order and the winner has the opportunity to accompany a judge during the judging of one of the National Finals the next day. The presentation to the winning judge will take place at a special International Theme Night organised by the Young Peoples Committee.

Classes get underway on Sunday at 8am with the National Finals taking centre stage during the afternoon in the famous Shrewsbury main ring. The show, with its friendly atmosphere, provides no better a place to see Welsh ponies and cobs, generally recognised as the most universal breed of equine. The organisers extend a very warm welcome to anyone interested in this native breed.

Home - The Society - Ponies & Cobs - Studs Directory - Adverts - Shop