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Former Secretary fondly remembered by the Society

A memorial bench dedicated to former WPCS Secretary, Mr. Tom Roberts, was officially unveiled on 20th July 2005, during the Royal Welsh Show. Mrs. Megan Roberts formally unveiled the bench which sits in prime position outside the Society’s Pavilion on the Royal Welsh Showground.

Mr. Roberts was held the post of Secretary with the Society from 1965 – 1987 and was highly regarded by members, Council and staff.

Attending the event were Mrs Megan Roberts (widow of the late Tom Roberts), Miss. Rosemary Philipson-Stow (Chairman), Mr. Len Bigley (Vice-Chairman); Lady Jennifer Evans-Bevan (President); Mr. Mike Johnston (Presisdent-Elect); Mr. John Kirk ; Mrs Betty French , Mr. Keith Spenser; Miss J. Powell (Young Ambassador Elect); Miss Laura Hutchins, Mrs. Llinos Spenser; Mrs Gian Fazey-Koven.

l to r (Standing) Mike Johnston (President-Elect), John Kirk, Len Bigley (Vice-Chairman of Council), seated: Lady Jennifer Eans-Bevan, Miss Laura Hutchins, Miss R. Philipson-Stow Mrs. Betty French, standing: Mrs. Megan Roberts, Keith Spenser.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
22 July 2005

Resignation of Mr. Ifor Lloyd from the Council of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society

“It was with great disappointment that we received the unexpected resignation of Mr. Ifor Lloyd, on Wednesday, July 20th. Mr. Lloyd has been a member of council for many years and his decision to resign is one which is regrettable. ”

In response to other reports currently circulating the Society has the following comments:

As outlined in the press release issued on Wednesday 20th July 2005, the Society will proceed to defend against the claim made by suspended member Mrs. Dania Leyson.

Mrs. Leyson’s membership was suspended following a disciplinary hearing in January 2004. The council has acted on the advice of their solicitor in order to protect the interests of the Society.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 July 2005

Society to defend against claim of suspended member

On Friday, 22 July 2005 the Welsh Pony and Cob Society will file a defence against the claim made by suspended member Mrs. Dania Leyson. The decision was taken by the Council of the Society at a meeting at the Royal Welsh Show on Tuesday, 19 July 2005, in order to protect the interests of the Society.

The Society regrets that it is not able to make further comment at present.

Message from the Chief Officer

It is with great pleasure that I begin the first of regular postings to our website. I hope that over the months you will find this an additional way to gain insight into the workings of the Society and our activities.

The full text of the Chief Officers message may be viewed HERE

Chief Officer,

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society are pleased to announce the appointment of their new Chief Officer, Gian Fazey-Koven. Originally from Tregarth, North Wales, Gian is a graduate of the University of Warwick. Following graduation in 1994 she emigrated to Newfoundland, Canada where she pursued a career in theatre production management and arts management, holding senior management positions in the theatre and the music industries. She has worked in the charitable and voluntary sectors since her return to Wales in 1999. In 2002 she joined Citizens Advice, the national organisation for Citizens Advice Bureaux, where she held the post of Business Management Consultant.

“It is both a pleasure and a privilege to be taking up the post of Chief Officer of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. The society has a well-established, and well deserved, reputation as the largest and most successful of the British native breed societies, both nationally and internationally. I look forward to being a part of the continued development of that reputation; to working with the staff and members in furthering the aims of the society; and to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Miss Philipson-Stow, Chairman of Council, commented:
“We are delighted to have appointed such an outstanding candidate and we look forward to many years with Gian leading the Society’s administrative team.”

05 April 2005

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WELSH PONY AND COB SOCIETY JUDGES CONFERENCE

128 members of the Judges Panel of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society attended the first ever Judges Conference held at the Royal Welsh showground on 19th March. The objectives of the Conference included sharing ideas among fellow judges, understanding the task of judging and promoting the uniformity of judging.

The first guest speaker was Mrs Davina Whiteman who drew on her wealth of experience and warned judges from placing animals whose temperament and constitution dictated that their successes could only be shortlived. The second speaker, veterinarian Charles Frank who, with his wife Wendy, run the very successful Sunwillow Welsh pony stud, guided the members through correct conformation and predicted various unsoundness which would otherwise result.

The members were then divided into groups and the topics discussed included unruly or fat exhibits, discourteous exhibitors, interfering stewards and the maximum amount of white markings tolerated. There was an obvious dearth of young judges and ways of encouraging them were invited.

All members were of the opinion that this was a very worthwhile and educational exercise and were greatly indebted to the Judges Administration Board for all the hard work involved in staging it.

Wynne Davies

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WELSH PONY AND COB SOCIETY, AGM,
Winchester, 5th March 2005.

About 400 members turned up for the AGM held at The Guild Hall, of the historic Cathedral town of Winchester, Hampshire under the Presidency of Mrs Anne Vestey of the Kentchurch Stud, Alresford. The minutes of the AGM of 6th March 2004 were approved however minutes of the EGM of 30th October 2004 were not approved.

The chairman, Miss Rosemary Philipson-Stow reported a record number (11,068) of registrations during 2004 (up from 6,597 in 2002) with 9,024 already processed: 2644 section D; 2529 section A; 1829 Welsh part-breds; 1,127 section B and 895 section C. 11,083 passports from existing registration certificates were issued during 2004 plus another 1,657 duplicate passports from mislaid registration certificates; 8 postbags full of passport applications were received one Monday in February 2005. From Meetings attended at the Welsh Assembly, it was understood that no passports are required for foals accompanying their dams at Shows or travelling to Stud but will be required for Sales. 12,181 transfers were recorded, compared with 8,430 in 2003. 274 animals were exported during 2004 led by 46 to Sweden, 42 to Holland, 32 each to the USA, France and Germany, 28 to Eire, 18 to Denmark, 11 to Norway, 9 to Finland, 4 each to Canada and Switzerland, 3 to Belgium, 2 to Argentina and 1 each to Austria and the Czech Republic. During the year 911 new members were enrolled bringing the total to 7,787 (5,903 annual and 1,884 life members). The chairman introduced Mrs Gian Fazey-Kover who will be starting employment as Chief Officer on 1st April 2005. Also introduced were Judith Powell the incoming Young Ambassador Elect and the current Young Ambassador Miss Danielle Morgan.

Mr Paul Wilding-Davies, Chairman of the Finance Committee, guided members through the Balance Sheet and Accounts for the year 30th September 2004 which showed the largest surplus ever in the history of the Society. Mr Brian Foster then enlarged on the Balance Sheet for WPCS Trading Ltd which was also very satisfactory.

Mrs Vestey conferred Honorary Life memberships upon Mr John Carter (Millcroft), Mr Don Edwards (Minsterley), Mrs Jenny MacGregor (Eastlake), Mr Rowland Michell, MRCVS (Senny), Mr Alan Pearce (Glyncoch), and Miss Jill Whiting, USA. Past-President Miss Laura Hutchins (Bengad), Mrs Mary Redvers (Bwlch) member since 1945 and 85-year-old Mr Richard

Mr Edwin Prosser receiving the Debbie Dunbar painting from the President for Mintfield Songthrush (Champion Section B at the Royal Welsh Show).

Williams (Wian) from Anglesey were elected Honorary Life Vice-Presidents.

The 2004 sire rating trophies were presented to Blackhill Picalo and Pendock Legend (joint, A), Carwed Charmer (B, third time), Nebo Bouncer (C, eleventh time) and Trevallion Harry (D).

The Performance sire ratings dressage trophy was presented to Longnewton Maestro, sire of the reigning Pony Club Dressage champion Duntarvie Catalan, Duntarvie Catamount etc.

The Derwen silver spoons for the highest-placed ridden geldings at the 2004 Royal Welsh Show were presented to Springlane Psalm (A), Moelview Mardi Gras (B), Newhill Aristocrat (C) and Seiont Rhun (D). The Llanarth Braint trophy for the highest-placed section D at the Baileys/NPS Championships at Olympia was awarded to Ffoslas Ceredig and the Brodrick Memorial trophy to the Misses Sue and Janet Hardy of the Briarth Stud. Brightwells Auctioneers Sale Champagne moment trophies were presented to Mr Bill Pounder and daughter Barbara Green (Putwell) for the Fayre Oaks Sale and Mrs Julia Maddever (Royal Welsh Sale). The Stud contribution award went to Messrs Peter and John Gray of the Thorneyside Stud.

A vote of thanks to the retiring President, Mrs Vestey was proposed by

Brightwells 2004 Stud Achievement Award presented to Peter & John Gray of the Thorneyside Stud

Mr Peter Jones (Menai) who informed members that Mrs Vestey has qualified the highest number (23) of animals of all breeds for the Olympia Ridden championships and Mrs Gladys Dale (Scole), seconding the vote of thanks, reminded the members of Mrs Vestey’s success with Kentchurch Commandant who ammassed the highest points ever (10,490) for a section D in the WPCS Performance Competition (1982).

Lady Jennifer Evans-Bevan (Bronllys) was installed as President for 2005

Lady Jennifer Evans-Bevan (right) 2005 President after receiving the President's badge from the 2004 President Mrs Anne Vesty.

with Mr Michael Johnston (Fontmell) as President-Elect.

As a result of postal ballot the following were elected to serve on Council for 2005 – 2007: Mr Gwyn Berry (Betws, 564), Mr Michael Daley (Vale, 416), Dr Wynne Davies (Ceulan, 787), Mrs Mary Edwards (Cascob, 623), Miss Laura Hutchins (Bengad, 693), Mr Wyn Jones (Nerwyn, 431), Mr Ifor Lloyd (Derwen, 683), Mr Daniel Morgan (Parc, 580), Mrs Jocelyn Price (Courtway, 591), Mr Edwin Prosser (Mintfield, 510) and Mr Keith Spenser (Felinmor, 495).
 

Dr Wynne Davies, M.B.E., Publicity Officer.

REPORT OF THE PUBLICITY OFFICER
AGM MARCH 2005

We have continued with the success of putting reports on the WPCS web-site; these can be passed direct to Overseas Societies, many of which publish them in their periodicals. The 2004 reports include the AGM (5 photographs), Performance Competition Presentation, Glanusk Show (10 photos), Brightwells Spring Sale ( 8 photos), Northleach Show (7 photos), Young Judges Competition (2 photos), Fayre Oaks & Polaris Sales (11 photos), Royal Welsh Sale (9 photos), Royal Welsh Winter Fair (10 photos). In addition the Office has supplied up-dates for the web-site including Welfare Liaison Meeting, Hill Pony Societies Meetings, Passports etc.

Various organisations/publications have also been supplied with reports of the major events/successes of 2004. These include the Fayre Oaks Sale where the total figure was £339,341 (up from £143,465 in 2001) with an average of £824 (up from £419 in 2001 and £21 in 1954) and the Royal Welsh Sale with a total of £620,128 (up from £358,938 in 2001) and, for the first time ever, a four-figure average (£1,071) compared with £719 in 2001, £188 at the first RW Sale in 1977 and £104 at the first Llanarth Sale in 1964 (Sale total = £3,744).

The Welsh breeds fared well at the Horse of the Year Show 6 – 10 October starting with Waitwith Connie (A) M&M mini champion ridden by Emily Skuse (lead rein winner where 17 of the 22 qualifiers including the top 8 were Welsh), with Foxtrot Gemma (first ridden) reserve ridden by Megan Cookson. The section D stallion Penstrumbly Sad Max Johnny ridden by Vickie Hesford was reserve M&M ridden champion and the section B stallion Northlight Galliano ridden by Danielle Waterhouse won his class and was later (20th December) overall reserve ridden M&M champion from 34 qualifiers of all native breeds at the NPS/Baileys championships at Olympia. The section D mare Cathael Bay Girl ridden by Jill Wormall was HOYS reserve champion M&M WHP after winning the over-138 cm division; 12 out of the 17 qualifiers (122 cm) and 10 of the 16 qualifiers (138 cm) were Welsh. The WPB gelding Colbeach Salaman ridden by Samantha Dent was 128 cm open ridden winner and Show Pony Of The Year and the 138 cm WPB mare Broadgrove Chatterbox (HOYS Cuddy In-hand champion in 2003) ridden by Lucy Loughton was reserve champion; Chatterbox was also RIHS show pony champion and overall supreme at the BSPS Summer Championships. The WPB Harver Relativity (first ridden) ridden by Alice Greenwood was HOYS open mini champion and another WPB Nantcol Sylphide (lead rein) ridden by Charlotte Dent was reserve mini champion. Finally the palomino section B gelding Wharley Pageboy was Driving Pony Of The Year for his owner, Nicola Bladin from Jersey. Buddy Bunn, winer of the Hickstead Jumping Derby is 25% section D; an offer of £500,000 for him has been refused.

The 2005 Calendar made a nice surplus; thanks to members and Area Associations who sold/ bought them. There are still many prominent WPCS members who seem unaware that the Publicity Committee has produced colour Calendars for 27 years (and black & white prior to this!). Our Patron Her Majesty The Queen wrote another very nice “thank you” letter for her Calendar adding how much she enjoyed watching the judging of the Welsh Pony and Cob classes at the 2004 Royal Welsh Show. Many thanks to the WPCS staff who have manned the WPCS Publicity Vehicle often under difficult conditions. WPCS publications still continue to sell consistently; there are very few “One Hundred Glorious Years” books left, there will never be any more so secure copies for your children/grandchildren now while stocks last. Members will be notified of the availability of the next book “The Welsh Pony” (sections A, B, C, Welsh part-bred ponies and Performance) (J A Allen), the sister volume to “The Welsh Cob”, on the WPCS web-site.

All members of the Publicity Committee put in an enormous amount of work and without them, it would be impossible for me to carry on and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all. David Blair succeeded in getting the 2005 Journal out by the deadline date of 5th January despite a two weeks delay in getting the information out to the members. This meant working day and night and he is to be congratulated for a magnificent publication, reaching 800 pages for the first time ever, almost 10 times the first issue in 1962. Kathleen James spends months checking the figures in the Performance competition, assisted by David Jones (who is in charge of trophies) and Richard Miller (geldings). Many thanks also to sponsors of prizes for this competition and bursaries for our young competitors. Again thanks to Laura Hutchins for organising the Christmas cards which annually provide a nice surplus and to Sue and Janet Hardy for collating the sire points at the Royal Welsh Show.
 

Dr Wynne Davies, M.B.E.,
Publicity Officer,
Welsh Pony and Cob Society

Royal Welsh Show 2005

Amended classes for the Royal Welsh Show 2005 have been announced.

Please click HERE for more information.

8th March 2005

Brief Report of the Extraordinary General Meeting held at Stareton Hall, Stoneleigh Park, Kenilworth at 1.30 p.m on Saturday 30th October, 2004.

The President Mrs A. Vestey and approximately 140 members attended the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 30th October, 2004 to discuss and consider the approval of Special Resolutions as circulated to members of the Society in a Notice dated 14th September, 2004.

The President formally put the two Resolutions to the Meeting.

Members were supplied with relevant ballot papers and these were counted by the Society’s solicitor, Mr Mark Lewis of Wright Hassall & Co., Leamington Spa.

By 77 votes to 57 the first Resolution was not accepted.

By 75 votes to 56 the second Resolution was not accepted.

The Solicitor confirmed that 75% majority was required therefore neither Resolution had passed.

The President thanked Mr Mark Lewis for attending to assist the Society. The President also thanked the members for attending and formally closed the meeting at 4.58 p.m.

August Mailing

The Society regrets any inconvenience that may have been caused with regard to the recent mailing of the Newseltter, etc. This was to enable the Society to arrange for one mailing to take place to include the Newsletter and EGM Notice, rather than having to do a second separate mailing therefore avoiding extra cost to the Society. All members will have received, with the Newsletter, an addendum extending some of the dates for the return of articles, etc. for the Journal.

Judging Under Saddle Classes

As from 1s January, 2005, judges officiating Ridden Classes for the Welsh Breeds must no longer ride entries and these must be judged from the ground.

THE NATIONAL EQUINE DATABASE AND THE DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998

It is required under data protection legislation to advise individuals about the processing of personal information i.e. why this information is being collected, how this information will be used and the circumstances in which it will be disclosed.
Information suppied in connection with your application/registration will be passed by this Society to the National Equine Database [NED]. NED is jointly operated by the National Equine Database Society for Government and the GB equine industry.
Horse passport based information about horse and owner is being collected by NED in order to provide a source of data that supports veterinary disease control and surveillance activities. The information will also enable DEFRA to carry out its responsibilities regarding the implementation of the horse passport requirement. It will also facilitate strategic planning within the equine sector, assist in tracing the owners of straying, lost or stolen horses and reduce malpractice in the sale of horses and ponies. The data collected for this purpose will be adequate, relevant and not excessive for the above purposes. For the equine industry in general, the information passed to NED will provide a central archived source of Breeding, Evaluation and Performance [BEP] data which will enhance the quality of horses bred in Great Britain. BEP data will be accessible by other interested parties [for a fee] via Internet website.
The horse passport based information provided may, in future, be used for research purposes or statistical analysis. Your personal data may be shared, if necessary, within the DEFRA family, other Central Government Departments, Non-Departmental Public Bodies and Local Authorities. Your personal details [i.e. name and address of horse owner] will be treated as confidential at all times and all data supplied will be kept secure. Data may be processed by a contracted third party that will also be required to keep all data secure. Your personal details will not appear on the commercial BEP website. Any enquiries from users of the BEP website will be directed to the organisation or society that forwarded the information to the National Equine Database.
In limited circumstances, NED Society or its agents may be required to release information, including personal data and commercial information, on request under the Environmental Information Regulations, the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information or the Freedom of Information Act 2000. However, neither NED Society nor its agents will permit any unwarranted breach of confidentiality nor will we act in contravention of our obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998.
DEFRA or its appointed agents may use the name, address and other details on your application form to contact you in connection with occasional customer research aimed at improving the services that DEFRA provides to you.

IMPORTANT RULE CHANGE RELATING TO THE REGISTRATION OF SECTION C PONIES - MATING BETWEEN SECTIONS

As from 1st JANUARY 2006 Council has resolved that the Stud Book will be closed to foals resulting from the following mating:

Section B x C
Section B x D

For a further details please click HERE

National Welsh and Welsh Part Bred Championship Show

The Show took place at Shrewsbury on Sunday 1st August 2004.

For a full results and pictures please click HERE

Young Judges Competition

The 2004 Young Judges Competition took place at the National Welsh and Welsh Part Bred Championship Show, Shrewsbury on the evening of Saturday 31st July 2004 prior to the Show on Sunday 1st August 2004. Entries were taken via Area Associations.

Fourteen-year-old Jenna Dart from Gwynedd was the overall winner retaining the Geler Perpetual Trophy kindly presented by the Lloyd family. In runner-up position was the winner of the junior section, Eastern Association member, Holly Jones-McCutcheon who is twelve years old and comes from Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.

For a full report and pictures please click HERE

Older News

To keep this page current and fast loading, we've moved some older news items (including past show reports) to a page of their own:

Older news

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