The South and West Wales Shetland Pony Group

SPRING

2010201020102010

Photograph taken in 1981 –Stanhoe Happy Wanderer the Stalwart of The Barflat Stud.

By kind permission of Ms Alston

PLEASE MAY WE REMIND ALL MEMBERS THAT SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE THANK YOU

CHAIRMANS ADDRESS

Dear Members, We have several new members who I would like to welcome warmly, we pride ourselves on being a friendly group and please do not hesitate to contact any of the committee members with your queries or comments. Unfortunately I have to inform you all of the death of one of our founder members Mrs Jennifer Taylor of the well known Celtic Stud. Jennifer was a lovely lady who with her family and friends started this group in 1995. Jennifer always had time to spend with fellow Shetland enthusiasts and the Celtic Stud has very much been known for it’s top class Shetlands, one of which won the accolade of being Supreme at the Breed Show. We shall miss you Jennifer; our sympathy and best wishes go out to her family. I hope you are all just about getting over the very cold winter we have just had; it seemed endless, hopefully we can have a summer this year! The Groups’ activities start with a Social at Taladd Arms, Llanllwni on the 10th April, see further details in this newsletter; followed by our Spring Show on Sunday 25th April at Peniel, schedule enclosed. We were going to hold a social earlier but with the frequency of the snow we thought better of it! Our joint Summer Show with the NPS Area 28 has been brought forward to the 19th June, we were frequently clashing with a show on the Gower that holds Shetland classes and we want to encourage shows to keep our classes not loose them. The NPS are holding their Shetland classes straight after our own, so if you are able, or have the energy!, please consider staying on and supporting them. We have listed a few of the local shows in this newsletter that we know of but if you have any extra dates please pass them on to us so that we can try to pass them on to fellow exhibitors. It has been suggested that we hold a clinic this Summer; Sandra George has very kindly offered their facilities; this would include riding, driving and in-hand. Can you please let us know if you are interested in joining this clinic, when we have numbers we can organise a date etc. If there are any other suggestions any of you have for future events, either in-door or out please contact any of the committee. Wishing you all an enjoyable showing season this year. Charles Seward (Chairman).

Charles Seward (Chairman) Anna Stevens (President) Sandra Seward (Secretary-01267 275 485 Pauline Mander (Vice Chair-Performance) Stephen Mander (Driving Nick True (Treasurer) Eric Williams Sandra George (Ridden/Performance) Ms Janet Law Debbie Pittard (Newsletter-01685 873 373) Timothy Evans Joan Hunter (Scrapbook) Gerwyn Pittard

Don’t miss the Spring Social & Quiz night at The Taladd Arms, Llanllwni, Saturday 10th April, Meals are available ie chicken/chips. sausage/chips or vegetarian option all £6. per person, please book your menu choices early so as not to be disappointed, ring Sandra on 01267 275485, Please bring a raffle prize

The extremely popular Spring Show will be held at Coombe Park Peniel on Sunday 25th April , there will be the usual classes with some new fun / childrens classes. A schedule is enclosed .If you would like to sponsor classes at any of our shows please contact Gerwyn on 01685 873373. The show-class board will be in-situ with the class numbers clearly displayed as we have had some problems in the past! So no more worries about missing classes and anyone who isn’t showing and would like to volunteer their services please let us know-likewise a photographer to snap the section winners –Thanks! The Summer Group Show is to be held once again in conjunction with the NPS at the Cothi Bridge Showground in Nantgaredig on the 19th June 2010 with Judges Mr & Mrs Wright, schedules will be posted in due course.

The Shetland Society have asked us to make people aware of the growing welfare concerns that they have with increasing numbers of welfare and neglect cases –it has been suggested that we form a Welsh Shetland Welfare group to help in such cases- please contact Sandra with any offers or suggestions. It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing away of our Shetland group founder Mrs Jennifer Taylor on 17-02-10 .Mrs Taylor was a great supporter of the Shetland, a passion spanning over 25 years and together with her daughters Zoe & Vicky bred some superb ponies at their Celtic Stud including Celtic Mutineer,Celtic Matilda & Celtic Music. We are all very saddened and offer our heartfelt sympathies to the Family. It had been suggested that we hold a Clinic for in hand showing, ridden/ performance and driving, possibly held at an indoor school near Carmarthen if members would be interested in this please could they contact Sandra Seward on 01267275485 to put their ideas forward.

Our new website is up and running on www.shetlandsinwales.co.uk if anyone would like to add pages to their stud or are interested in having their website linked or a website designed then please get in touch with Sandra and she will give you the details.Advertisements for tack or ponies for sale can be extremely effective and the costs minimal.

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Tel: Day Time 01495 302069 Mobile: 07773354449.

South & West Wales Shetland Pony Group. Autumn Show Results200

Class 1 Stslion 1st Brinleyview Comanchee L Stevens Class2 Mare or Gelding 1st Owlacombe Eclipse Neil Davies 2nd Celtic Butterfly N & A True 3rd Top Rock Valua N & A True 4th Brochwel Birthday Boy Mrs Abel 5th Birchmoor Doublet Mr & Mrs M S Davies 6th Bincombe Vogue Mrs P Mander Class 3 Colt Foal 1st Blue Shadow of Catchpool Miss L Stevens Class 4 Filly Foal -- Class 5 2&3 yr old 1st Crank Genisis Mrs Sandra George 2nd Dumbledore of Catchpool Miss L Stevens 3rd Minerva of Catchpool Miss L Stevens 4th Melliver Minnie Mermaid Mr Rleismeir Class 6 Yearling 1st Rugpit Eve Mr R Leismei r CHAMPION Brinleyview Comanchee Miss L Stevens RES’ CHAMPION Owlacombe Eclipse Mrs V Davies Smalls Class 7 1st Tygwyn Black Prince Pittard Family 2nd Mardlebrook Joss Cath Harries 3rd Goytre Calum Joan Thomas 4th Kerswell Sparks Joam Thomas Class 8 Mare or Gelding 1st Cwmllynfell Fuschia I D & J Oliver 2nd Shandytown Nutkin MrsSndra George 3rd Hasguard Flora 4th Staplow Tyffany Jones family 5th Goytre Lizzie Pittard family

Class 9 Colt Foal 1st Cwmllynfell Lenny Tracey Wilson 2nd Morgan of Catchpool Miss L Stevens 3rd Finetime Strike a Pose Debbie Tremellen 4th Timberland Chippys Little Cracker Jones Family 5th Merrychip Merlin Mr & Mrs Hime Class 10 Filly Foal 1st Tygwyn Flora Pittard Family 2nd TimberlandChiquitita Jones Family 3rd Timberland Cattlin Jones Family 4th Shalaine Rose Colour E Smith & S Gordan 5th Cadlan Vally Bunny Girl Class11 2&3 Year old 1st Mardlebrook Lenardo N Dark 2nd Anthelney Virginia Jones Family 3rd Saplow Busy Body R Leismier Classs 12 Yearlings 1st Windwillow Mirage June Lewis-Hughes 2nd Finetime Shirley Ann Debbie Trmellen 3rd Timberland Dindi Jones Family 4th Meechland Synbad Mrs J Edmonds 5th Windwillow Zsa Zsa J Lewis Hughes Small Championship Champion Windwillow Mirage Reserve Champion Timberland Chiquitita Class13 Best Turnsd Out Ridden 1st Celtic Butterfly N &A True 2nd Owlacombe Eclipse Neil Davies 3rd Alltcraig Dominic Abbie Johnson 4th Brockwell Birthday Boy Mrs Able Class 14 Best Turned Out In-hand 1st Altacraige

Lowri Caswell 2nd Cwmllynfell Lenny Tracy Wilson 3rd Tigwin Black Prince Pittard Family

5th Cwmllynfell Fushia I D &J Oliver Class 15 Lead Rein 1st Birchmoor Doublet Mr & Mrs S H Davies 2nd Top Rock Valua N &A True 3rd Altacraig Domnic Abbie Johnson 4th OwlacombeEclips Harriet Davies 5th Brochwell Birthday Boy Mrs Abel Class16 First Ridden 1st clivocast Nina Mrs V Morgan 2nd Celtic Butterfly N & A Treu 3rd Aran Bryan Mander Griffiths 4th Brockwel Birthday Boy Sara Abel Class17 Open Ridden 1st Haine Blackberry Mrs V Morgan 2nd OwlacombeEclipse Hywel Pennock 3rd Brinleyview Comanchee Miss L Stevens Ridden Championship Champion Birchmoor Doublet Mr & Mrs H S Davies Reserve Champion

Haine Blackberry Mrs V Morgan

Foal Champion Cwmllynfell Lenny Tracey Wilson Reserve Champion

Tygwyn Flora Piiard Family Junior Champion

Windwillow Mirage June Lewis Hugh Reserve Champion

AnthelneyVerginia SUPREME SUPREME SUPREME SUPREME CHAMPIONCHAMPIONCHAMPIONCHAMPION Birchmoor Doublet Mr & Mrs HS Davies RESERVE SUPREME RESERVE SUPREME RESERVE SUPREME RESERVE SUPREME CHAMPIONCHAMPIONCHAMPIONCHAMPION Windwillow Mirage June Lewis Hughes Class 18 Progeny

Class 18 Progeny Group 1st Leora Barnaby Finetime Strike a Pose Finetime Shirley Ann Jade Amber and Debbie Tremellen Class 19 Fancy Dress 1st Altacraig Dominic M Jones 2nd Brocchwel Birthday Boy Mrs Abel 3rd Birchmoor Doublet Mr & Mrs HS Davies 4th Owlacombe Eclipse Neil Davies 5th Yarnolds Jada Cree Pauline Mander Class 20 Best Gelding 1st Owlacombe Eclipse Neil Davies 2nd Brochwel Birthday Boy Sara Abel 3rd Candy Fluffs Remus Paul Mander 4th Arran Bryan Mander Griffiths 5th Leora Barnaby Debbie Tremellen Class 21 Best Veteran 1st Arran Bryan Mander Griffiths 2nd Bincombe Vogue Pauline Mander Class 22 Child Handler 10 years & under 1st Lowri Caswell 2nd Sara Abel 3rd Harriet Davies 4th Bryan Mander Griffiths 5th Aled True Class 23 Child Handler llyrs & Over 1st Sandra George 2nd Amber Tremellen 3rd Hywel Pennock “MY LITTLE PONY” CHAMPIONSHIP Crank Nutty Sandra George RESERVE Arran Bryan Mander Griffiths’

AUTUMN SHOW PICTURES

CLASSIFIEDS

For Sale A stunning Black 35.5 Inch Licensed Stallion. Goytre Napoleon AQ2168/S08. "Neo" has plenty of bone and a lovely conformation. Excellent Bloodlines. Sire & Dam Parentage Checked. Sire:- Goytre Edward AE1767/S99-017 Dam:- Mill Of Towie Susan AK0347/M04-521 Very sad sale as we have had "Neo" since he was a yearling and had every intention of using him as one of our own Stallions. Unfortunately he is now to big to run with our Miniature Mares, so totally wasted here. For further information, photographs and full pedigree please see our blog page:- http://hericusminiatureshetlandstud.blogspot.com/ Price £950.00 open to negotiation to the right home. Genuine Enquiries Only Please. Contact Debbie or Mick on 01239-710354

For Sale Hericus Bucephalus AW3058 AKA "Beau" Beautifully marked Miniature Skewbald Colt Foal. Born: 11.5.2009 Sire:- Goytre Kai AM1777/S05-072 Dam:- Lisawelon Princess Jasmine AN1435/M09 Excellent Bloodlines including Birchwood, Tawna, Kerswell and Hippominimus. Regularly Wormed and eating hard feed. For further information, photographs and full pedigree please see our blog page:- http://hericusminiatureshetlandstud.blogspot.com/ Price £350.00 Genuine Enquiries Only Please. Contact Debbie or Mick on 01239-710354

For Sale Hericus Barnabas AW3059 AKA "Barney" Beautiful Tiny Miniature Chestnut Colt Foal with a White Lightening streak on his bottom. Born: 8.6.2009 Sire:- Goytre Kai AM1777/S05-072 Dam:- Littlefolk Miss Muffet AG0146/M00-096 Excellent Bloodlines including Birchwood, Tawna, Kerswell and Hippominimus. Regularly Wormed and eating Hard feed. For further information, photographs and full pedigree, please see our blog page:- http://hericusminiatureshetlandstud.blogspot.com/ Price £350.00 Genuine Enquiries Only Please Contact Debbie or Mick on 01239-710354

For Sale Login Black Boy INT/06-P5 AKA "Yum Yum". Lovely Standard Black Colt. Born: 19.5.06 Sire:- Marlcris Puzzle AJ1715/S02-76 Dam:- Shoemaker Q-Tee INT/99-P4 MO2-353 Excellent Bloodlines. Seva on both Sire and Dam's sides. Regularly wormed and Feet Trimmed. Was running "Yum Yum" on to put through his VVE, but he is too big to run with our Miniature Mares, so would be totally wasted here. For further information, photographs and full pedigree, please see our blog page:- http://hericusminiatureshetlandstud.blogspot.com/ Price £350.00 Genuine Enquiries Only Please Contact Debbie or Mick on 01239-710354

Wanted Stud Books and magazines -pre 1970s or other Shetland items -Please Phone with details.

Wanted Show bridle in hand to fit miniature mare/stallion and filly in hand bridle- please telephone 07852901616

Keensacre Robin 7 year old registered minature Shetland mare , approx 34 inches. Was bought 2 years ago for my little boy and has always behaved brilliantly under saddle, good to lead, great with the farrier etc. Sold as companion or broodmare only as she has a habit of throwing herself on the ground when she gets excited, she has never done this while being ridden BUT she could and I don't want to take the risk. She would make a brilliant mum as she has always been a companion to other horses and ponies and really mothered our sec A foal although she has never had a foal of her own. Great breeding so would be an asset to any stud, would consider long-term loan to right home Please email Heidi on h.76 @hotmail.co.uk or telephone :- 07891 688846

SOUTH &WEST WALES SHETLAND PONY

GROUP

POINTS SCHEME FOR GROUP SHOWS ONLY 2009 MRS A ABEL Brochwel Birthday Boy 3rd Lead Rein 3rd Best Turned Out 4th Best Turned Out Ridden 3rd Black Mare or Gelding 1st Gelding 1st Child Handler 1st Private Driving MRS PAULINE BRADDOCK Seva Kelt 4th Coloured Entire Male 2nd Small Entire Male CARMILO STUD Carmilo Cinnamon 5th Lead Rein 1st First Ridden 3rd Coloured Mare or Gelding 5th Gelding 1st Child Handler Sapphire Classic 3rd Open Ridden Crank Genisis 3rd 2 and 3 yr old Coloured colt filly Shandydown Nutkin 3rd Coloured Mare or Gelding 5th Small Mare or Ge3lding LOWRI CASWELL A JOHNSON Altacraig Dominic 4th Best Turned Out in hand 3rd Best Turned Out Ridden 4th Child Handler MRS KAY COOK Ladbury Broadway Boy 5th 2 and 3 yr old Coloured Colt or Filly 2nd 2 and 3 yr old Small N DARK Mardlebrook Lenardo 3rd Small 2 and 3 yr old MR&MRS H DAVIES Birchmoor Dublet 1st Lead Rein MRS V DAVIES owlacombe eclipse 3rd Lead Rein 3rd First Ridden 5th Open Ridden 2nd Bwst Turen Out Ridden 1st Black Mare or Gelding 2nd Gelding 3rd Child Handler (Harriet Davies) 2nd Child Handler(Hywel Pennock) MR J W DAVIS Mona Lisa of Brynifor 1st 2 and 3 yr old Coloured Colt Filly CRAFTON STUD Beatrice of Crafton 2nd Black Mare or Gelding Royal Occasion of Crafton

1st Black Entire MRS J EDMONDS Meechlands Orlando 1st Small Entire3 Male MRS K GRIFFITHS Arran 5th First Ridden 2nd Veteran 1st Child Handler (Bryan Mander Griffiths MRS CATH HARRIES Mardlebrook Joss 5th Small Entire Male MR & MRS J HIME Seva Jessica 1st Piebald and Skewbald MS JUNE LEWIS HUGHES Dderwyn Phoebe 5th Black Mare or Gelding Windwillow Mirage 1st Small Yearling Windwillow Zsa Zsa 5th Small Yearling MR4S JOAN HUNTER Ladbury Eve 1st Black Yearling MRS P JOHN Celtic Mozart 2nd Lead Rein JONES FAMILY Timberland Bindi 4th Yearling Coloured 3rd Yearling Small Valsheda Lulu 2nd Small Mare Athelney Virginia 1st 2 and 3 yr old Small McCreed Just William 3rd Coloured Entire Male 5th Snall Entire Male Abrilla Bliss 3rd Small Broodmare 2nd coloured Broodmare Timberland Chiquitita 2nd Coloured Foal 3rd Small Foal 4th – Child Handler MR R LEISMEIER Rugpit Eve 2nd Yearling Coloured MR PAUL MANDER Trevassack Jessie 5th Open Ridden 1st Coloured Mare or Gelding 2nd Veteran Whinston 1st Unregistered 1st Private Driving MRS PAULINE MANDER Yarnolds Jada Cree 2nd Best Turned Out 5th Coloured Mare or Gelding Bincombe Vogue 1st Veteran MRS V MORGAN Clivocast Nina 1st First Ridden Ridgeacre Melody 1st Open Ridden

Haine Blackberry 2nd Open Ridden L M NICHOLLS Marillion Tammie Noir 1st Gelding under 3 years ID & J OLIVER Cwmllynfell Katkins 3rd Piebald and Skewbald 1st Coloured Yearling Cwnllynfell Fuschia 2nd Small Mare or Gelding MR N J PARLE Ladbury Viceroy 1st Black 2 and 3 yr old PITTARD FAMILY Tygwyn Victory 4th Piebald and Skewbald Tygwyn Black Prince 1st Best Turned Out 2nd Black Entire Male 2nd Small Entire Male Hermits Lady Noir 4th Black Mare and Gelding 5th Small Mare or Gelding Chasend Apollo 5th 2 and 3 yr old Coloured 4th Small 2 and 3 yr old Tygwyn Chieftain 2nd Yearling Coloured 5th Small Yearling Trondra Rusp 2nd Small Broodmare 1st Coloured Broodmare Tygwyn Angus Anderson 5th Small Foal 1st Coloured Foal Tygwyn Flora 2nd Small Foal EMMA PRICE Edern Llynel 4th Coloured Yearling MRS A REED Lloegr Damson 1st Coloured Mare or Gelding SEVA STUD Seva Ninow 2nd Black 2 and 3 yr old Seva Keepsake 2nd Small M are or Gelding Seva Gentleman Jim 4th gelding 5th Coloured Mare or Gelding MES.E SMITH & S GORDON Hasguard Galaxy 2nd Coloured Entire Male 4th Small Entire Male L & A STEVENS Brinleyview Comanchee 4th Open Ridden 1st Coloured Entire Male Dumbledore of Catchpool 2nd 2 and 3 yr old Coloured Colt or filly Blue Shadow of Catchpool 3rd Foal Morgan of Catchpool 5th Foal MRS JOAN THOMAS Threeacre Inda Wellow 3rd 2 and 3 yr old Coloured

3rd 2 and 3 yr old Small Goytre Merlin 4th Coloured Entire Male SARAH THOMAS Sugaree of Suchadoll 5th Piebald and Skewbald 4th Small Yearling MRS DEBBIE TREMELLEN FIinetime Shirley Ann 2nd Small Yearling Leora Barnaby 1st Small Mare or Gelding 3rd Gelding 3rd Child Handler Cranford Chantilly 1st Small Broodmare Finetime Strike a Pose 4th Small Foal Tairchorydd Harry Potter 2nd Black Yearling A & N TRUE Top Rock Valua 5th Lead Rein Celtic Butterfly 3rd First Ridden 1st Best Turned out Ridden 3rd Coloured Mare or Gelding TRACEY WILSON Cwmllynfell Lenny 5th Best Turned Out 1st Small Foal MRS DEBBIE WRIGHT Meechlands Minuet 2nd Piebald and Skewbald 5

TH Child Handler

This months Celebrity Interview is with Jules Gibson of Coppice Shetland Pony Stud How long have you worked with horses or been a horsey person? I started riding lessons when I was seven and was given my first pony a year later, after nagging and nagging and driving my parents mad. Has your family always kept horses? My Mom and Dad were both born in Birmingham when the outskirts were more countrified than they are now. Mom had three sisters ‘The Bedworth Girls’ and my Mom’s father had his own haulage firm, which prospered and he was able to buy some land and horses for all the sisters. What are your earliest horsey memories? I remember when I was quite small being at Hampton in Arden Horse Show, where I was put on what seemed at the time to be a huge horse but was probably only about 13.2. I didn’t want to get off! Who was your first horse and what breed was he/she? A little bay Welsh pony called Blaze that we bought when I was about eight from Dorridge Riding School. He was straight off the hills and was just about broken and was probably, in hindsight, only three when I had him. He was all we could afford at the time and was the best pony ever. He was a brilliant gymkhana pony and won loads of rosettes. He was very fast and had a terrific jump – when he wanted to! We used to bomb across country until my legs were too long and he couldn’t cart me over fences any more. What is your main job? I run my own Sage bookkeeping and training business and work from home. I’m supposed to spend most of the day on client business but invariably get sidetracked into pony stuff, particularly at foaling time and when I have to show ponies to purchasers. What is your favourite horse breed? I adore Shetlands, of course, but my first and most enduring love is Welsh Cobs. They are still hairy ponies but are big enough for me to ride. What is the best horse you have ever owned/bred? The best horse I’ve ever owned, since Blaze, is Pendal Highwayman, a chestnut Welsh Cob Sec D gelding by Gwenfo Dafydd out of Pendal Monica, bred by Lynn O’Connell. He’s now 22 and I don’t have time to ride him any more but in our heyday he was a lovely show cob and brilliant across country. He has the most astonishingly powerful jump I have ever seen and is so brave and genuine. However, back to Shetlands and the best pony we have bred: I think it would have to be Coppice Dolly Diana, the most beautiful black mare by Glenfall Excelsior out of Glenfall Dolly Daydream. Diana swept the board in-hand from a yearling through to her veteran days until she retired in 2006. She is jet black, has masses of hair, a lovely feminine head and a huge body. Sadly, we lost a full sister a couple of years after Diana was born and have never really been able to replicate her, although her grand daughter, Coppice Daisy-Belle, a bay mare now aged eight, does come close. How many horses have you currently got? Being a stud we have a floating population but it does tend to be around 50. This does include a lot of old mares and stallions who have served us well and have earned their retirement. I would say that the core of the stud, ie breeding mares and stallions and youngstock is around 35, which allows us to breed the type we like, sell some of the foals and run on some youngsters for performance. What would you change about yourself?

Oh Gosh, how long have you got? I think the main thing would be to get fit again and lose weight. And I’d like more energy so that I can do all the things I want to do. Also, I swear like a trooper and I really should stop, it’s so unladylike! What are your ambitions? Pony-wise, I want to get as many as possible of our home-bred ponies to HOYS. Career-wise, I’d like to build my Sage training skills and earn a lot more money. I’d also like to get to loads more countries. Do you ride? If so, in which genre have you competed? I don’t ride at the moment as I don’t have the time or the energy but I adored cross country and hunter trials and loved my days showing ridden Welsh Cobs and competing in M&M working hunter. What makes you angry? Inequality and unfairness. Corruption in high places and amongst those who should know better. Ineffectual politicians and yob culture. Ignorance and cruelty to animals. If you could be someone for the day, who would you be? Despite the things I said I’d change about myself, I actually quite like being me so I don’t think I’d want to trade places with anyone. But perhaps if I had a really cool avatar I could live a day of my life through them. What makes you laugh? Clever TV shows and films - surreal humour like Black Books and Spaced and anything that’s funny because of clever use of the language like QI and Have I Got News For You. I love the blatantly sacrilegious like Father Ted but I also love slapstick and daft stuff like Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer and the film Dodgeball. On a simpler note, the antics of the foals at play can make me laugh out loud with delight. What would be your ideal day?

Sounds daft but, to be honest, a whole day without ponies and all the hard work that goes with them. It varies depending on the time of year but just now, in February, I would just like to spend the whole day reclining on a terrace in a sunny country, with a beautiful view and an endless supply of cups of tea, nice things to eat and pleasant company. Oh, and I’d be wearing some nice, clean and fashionable clothes and

would have just come from having my hair and nails done.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL MEMBERS IN THE FORTHCOMING SHOW SEASON

Guidelines for Showing Shetland Ponies

25th April Group Spring show at Coombe park Peniel Show Sec Mrs Seward on 01267 275 485 29th May –Cothi Bridge Show Show sec. Mr WB Davies, tel: 01267 253455, -- St Clears show, 22nd May and the show sec is Mrs P Coles, 01994 240 502. e.mail peckham356@btinternet.com .

5th June Valley Spring Show, Cothi Bridge Showground, Show sec. Sandra Seward 01267 275485, 19th June, NPS Area 28, Cothi Bridge Showground, show sec. Christine Latter 01559 371156. –19th June –GROUP SUMMER SHOW at Cothi Bridge Showground show sec- 01267275485 Tivyside Agricultural Show, affiliated Shetland classes on saturday, July 10th 2010 at Troedyraur Fields near Newcastle Emlyn. For further info contact secretary Lousie Davies on (01239) 858958 24th September – Shetland Pony Auction in Builth Wells 8th October :- Lerwick Sales October :- Group Autumn Show in Peniel,Carmarthen, Details from Mrs.Sandra Seward 01267 275 485

Show Dates Do you know of any show dates that we could include in the newsletter? From Pony Club to In Hand shows. Let’s get them all together to create an invaluable showing directory. Let us know the date of the show and contact details. How about finding out who’s judging too!!

STOP PRESS……... NPS (Area 28) Spring Show, Sunday 21st March 2010. Celaeron Equestrian Centre,

Neuaddlwyd, Aberaeron, SA48

7RG, M&M Qualifiers and also Show Pony and

Show Hunter Pony classes, plus coloured and Ridden Hunter

Classes. Schedules Tel

01559 371156 or e-mail

christinelatter@aol.com

OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER We are requesting the services of any amateur David Baileys out there who would be interested in taking pictures at the Spring Show as ,at the moment the job is being done by a complete incompetent (me!)please telephone 01685 873373

Dress : One of the main considerations should be neatness and practicality. No training shoes or jeans. Sensible

footwear is essential to allow a pony to be shown effectively. For in-hand classes hats are not compulsory for

either sex but they may improve the overall picture of pony and handler (and may be compulsory at some Shows).

In the interests of safety, handlers aged 14 years or under must wear a hard hat when exhibiting in in-hand classes.

Hard hats must be worn by all ages of exhibitors in ridden classes. There must be no individual stud, person or

pony names displayed in the ring e.g. on clothing, rugs, saddle cloths.

Ring Etiquette : The Judge must never be spoken to using his/her name. Listen to instructions provided by the

Steward or Judge and watch exhibitors in front of you. Do not leave the ring before the end of the class without

first gaining the permission of the Judge, through the Steward.

Championships : Where a Shetland is eligible to go forward to a Supreme Championship involving other breeds,

every effort should be made to attend. This should be considered an honour and a chance to promote and bring the

Shetland breed to the attention of others. If you cannot attend a Championship for which you are eligible, please

ensure you advise the Show Secretary and/or Steward as soon as possible.

Trimming/Clipping : Only working ponies of four years old or over may be clipped in the interest of welfare,

otherwise ponies are shown in full coat. Under no circumstances should foals be clipped. Ponies should always be

shown in a clean condition.

The ponys ears may be trimmed flat but there must be no trimming inside the ear. Trimming of whiskers on the

jaw line is acceptable. Manes and tails must not be pulled but tails may be rough trimmed to clear the ground if

dragging. Leg feathers must not be trimmed. No false hair, artificial colouring or make-up should be used.

Tack/Equipment : Colts and stallions of two years old or over must be shown bitted. Younger animals and older

females may be shown in a suitable leather headcollar. For in-hand showing, only plain English-style jointed or

straight bar snaffles are permitted. This includes the Metropolitan/ Horseshoe Liverpool bit often refered to as a

stallion show bit. Chifneys or other similar bits are not acceptable. For ridden classes suitable bridles must be

used. In lead rein classes ponies must be shown in a suitable snaffle bridle with the reins going directly from the

bit to the riders hands. The lead rein must be attached to the nose band only. Whips or show canes carried must

not exceed 30 in length. Spurs may not be worn in ridden classes.

Registration/Eligibility : Three year old fillies with foals at foot may not be shown. Foals must be a minimum of

three weeks old on the day of the Show. Colts and entire males are not permitted in Young Handlers classes.

Children aged under 14 yrs. may not show colts (excluding foals) or entire males in In-hand classes. Children

aged under 11 yrs. may not show entire males in ridden classes. Please ensure your pony is correctly registered in

your name.

General : Exhibitors should be aware that a Judge may not place in a class a pony, which to his/her knowledge has been bred, sold, leased or produced by the Judge or his/her immediate family or employer; nor may he/she place a pony in which he/she has a financial interest; nor may he/she place a stallion by whom he/she has had a mare stinted in that season. Should a situation arise when such a pony appears, a referee, preferably on the appropriate panel of Judges, should be appointed by the Show Secretary to place the pony in question in its position in the class. If you intend to show a pony under a Judge falling into any of the above categories, therefore, please ensure you advise the Show Secretary well in advance of the Show.

Always check show schedules to see if a current flu vaccination certificate is required.

THE SHETLAND PONY STUD BOOK SOCIETY YOUNG EXHIBITORS SCHEME

It was third time lucky for Julia Pittard from The Tygwyn Stud this year when she finally won the National Young Exhibitors Scheme Competition, after coming 2nd for 2 years . The competition is run in 2 age categories –12 to 16 and 17 to 21. Each competitor hands their form to the judge at affiliated shows then the judge will mark their handling/showing capabilities out of 100, the form will then be sent to the society, the competitor will then do this at a further 4 shows and an average is taken. Julia has thoroughly enjoyed competing in this scheme over the years and would encourage everyone to have a go , it will also help to improve your showing skills.There is a cash prize, a certificate and the kudos of being the best in the country. We are lucky in Wales to have a wealth of talent in this department with rising show star Frankie Currell from the Carmilo Stud achieving extremely high placing, Tom Clarke (Santos Stud) winning last years junior category and a previous Senior winner has been Lara Stevens from the Catchpool Stud, now a Shetland panel judge. A list of affiliated shows in the area is available from the Shetland society website together with details of the scheme. An entry form is printed overleaf and all you need to do is to send it in with the entry fee and the Society will send you out the forms and envelopes.

RULES FOR ENTRY INTO THE SPSBS YOUNG EXHIBITORS AWARD SCHEME 1. Young Exhibitors aged 12yrs or over and 21yrs or under on 1st January of the relevant year who are showing registered Shetland ponies are eligible to enter the Scheme. The Scheme will be split into two age groups – 12-16yrs and 17- 21yrs. 2. Points may only be awarded at shows which are affiliated to SPSBS and which use an SPSBS Panel Judge. 3. The entry fee of £5 and the completed form (below) should be returned to Shetland House, 22 York Place, Perth PH2 8EH by 1st May. 4. Results from a minimum of 3 affiliated shows up to a maximum of 5 affiliated shows may be submitted with the final mark awarded being an average of the scores submitted. On payment of the entry fee, a separate form for each show will be supplied (each Exhibitor will be supplied with five forms). Envelopes addressed to the Society will also be supplied – this will allow either the Young Exhibitor or the Judge to return the form to Shetland House. If you give the envelope to the Judge to return the form, please ensure you put a stamp on it first. 5. Each Exhibitor may choose and nominate one class from each show undertaken, with the Judge’s marks from that class to count (i.e. you may not provide marks from three classes at one show). Young Handlers classes are not eligible. 6. The Judge should be made aware, through the Steward, before the class begins that the Young Exhibitor is taking part in the Scheme and the form given to the Steward for the Judge to complete. Please wear a white armband to aid the judge with identification. 7. The Judge will award marks out of 100, based on the presentation and turnout of the pony and handler, taking into account the Exhibitor’s attitude and ability. 8. Completed forms must be returned to Shetland House by 31st October at the latest in the relevant year. Marks will be added and divided by the number of Shows undertaken to obtain an average score. 9. The Exhibitors with the top three scores will receive prizes of £25, £15 and £10 respectively. _________________________________ SPSBS YOUNG EXHIBITORS AWARD SCHEME I wish to enter the SPSBS Young Exhibitors Award Scheme. I agree to abide by the Scheme rules. Name ………………………………… Mem No…………………………………… Address…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...PostCode…………………………TEL:….……………………EMail:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Signature …………………………………… Date of Birth………………………………...

Please complete the above, and return with the entry fee of £5 to SPSBS, Shetland House, 22 York Place,Perth PH2

THE COPPICE STUD STORY

By Julia Gibson

Coppice Shetland Pony Stud was founded in 1981 by my mother, Sheila Gibson.

The Stud has been going many years now and has its own identity but I think it’s

important to know where her love of ponies started and why she moved into

Shetlands. I like to feel that all branches of horsemanship are interlinked and that

rather than just seeing ourselves as ‘Shetland people’ we can learn a lot from

‘heavy horse people’, ‘show pony people’ and even from the eventers. We might

have to tweak the ideas to suit our little ponies, but at the end of the day all

equines is equines, no matter what their size.

So I’d like to start my story of the Coppice Stud with a bit of background from

the early days.

__________________________

It all began with ‘The Bedworth Girls’.

Not ‘The Mitford Girls’, although one of them did play a part, indirectly, later on

in our story.

The Bedworth Girls were four sisters born in the ‘twenties and ‘thirties in

Birmingham in the days when Chelmsley Wood was still a bluebell wood and

King’s Heath Horse Show was still held in King’s Heath village before it was

forced out to Earlswood by urbanisation. The sisters were my mum Sheila (now

Gibson), her elder sister Evelyn ‘Ev’ and younger sisters Jacqueline ‘Jack’ and

Avril. Auntie Ev, probably sensibly, never got into horses but Sheila, Jack and

Ave were keen riders, enjoying a succession of assorted horses and ponies bought

by their father, my Pop, from various dubious dealers and sales.

These were the days of riding in soft hats and Wellingtons, using any old tack

that was to hand and taking part in long picnic rides on glorious summer days to

the Lickey Hills and Clent with Shelswell’s Riding School. (The Shelswell

sisters were well known in their own right, but that’s another story!)

There were several special horses whose names have passed into legend in our

family: Buffalo Bill, Lady Jane Grey, Major and Crackers. Some were finely

built, some were heavy but Sheila was always drawn to the cobbier, pony type

with lots of hair and feather. So when she married Bob Gibson and started a

family, although the grand riding days were over for a while, she still managed to

find space and money for a rough little Welsh pony straight off the hills via

Dorridge Riding School, a fabulous little bay pony called Blaze. And later on,

when we kids had all grown up and (most of us, not me) had moved away, Mom

decided that the time was ripe to return to her first love, ponies. She didn’t want

anything too big or hard to handle and she’d always hankered after Shetlands. So

in 1981, when she got her ‘divi’ from her Council Bond, she followed up an

advert in the local paper and went to see Jane Cullingford, Dorothy and La at the

Glenfall Stud in Evesham.

Thus began a friendship and association lasting many years, with the purchase of

our first ever Shetland, an adorable little black mare called Glenfall Contessa, by

Highfield Leander out of Dimple of Hasguard. Then followed five more ponies

from Glenfall - and this is where that Mitford Girl comes in, because the next

pony we bought was Chatsworth Dolly Vera, bred by The Duchess of Devonshire

who was, of course, née Diana Mitford. Old Dolly, as she later became known,

was really our foundation mare because although Contessa had some super foals

by various stallions, it was Dolly who threw the big, quality blacks that we really

loved. We kept most of Dolly’s children and now have g-g-grandsons and g-g-

granddaughters.

Dolly was one of the old type of magnificent black mare that you don’t often see

these days, headstrong and independent and her foals were the same. She had her

last foal when she was well over 20 and then went into honourable retirement,

having the run of the yard and any paddocks she chose to put herself in, playing

with the youngsters when she felt like it or dozing in a corner. She only left us in

2008 at the age of 39. An incredible old lady whose like we shall never see

again.

Next from Glenfall came a naughty black colt, Glenfall Excelsior (‘Sior’) by

Entwhistle of Wetherden out of Exuberance of Wetherden, smashing old

Netherley/Wetherden lines and just what we wanted for our stud stallion. At the

same time we bought Glenfall Dolly Daydream, Old Dolly’s filly foal by Leander

and a very good in hand winner over the years until her untimely death in 1995.

Daydream gave us Coppice Dolly Diana, I think the best pony we’ve bred, but

sadly a full sister two years later was lost in a difficult foaling.

The following year Mom went to Reading, where Jane was selling some stock,

and somewhat hot-headedly bought Sior’s mother, Exuberance of Wetherden

(‘Big Ex’) and her filly foal Glenfall Exquisite (‘Little Ex’). Exquisite certainly

lived up to her name and was a big winner in hand in her youth and, in fact, even

at the age of 18 she was placed in a good black mare class at Malvern under a

very canny old judge from Scotland who thought she was “remarkable” for her

age.

So with our six ponies from Jane Cullingford we had the nucleus of our little

Coppice Stud, breeding some nice big black ponies from those lovely old

Wetherden/Chatsworth lines. So then we decided it was time to start breeding

some coloured ponies. Contessa had produced black foals to black-bred stallions,

but she did have colour in her so we decided to try for some coloured foals,

which meant we needed a coloured husband for her. We were then very lucky

indeed to be able to buy in 1986 the blue roan stallion Firebird of Spring Cottage

from Pam Smith of the Sapphire Stud. ‘Blue’ was by Kinlet Happy out of

Clothie Fran and although he was only 36” he was a little powerhouse of a pony

and had more character than a whole herd of bigger ponies. At the same time we

bought Sapphire Faith who was also out of Fran by Lockinge Giles. Over the

years Blue and Faith produced some smashing foals, typey and four-square and

mostly blue roan. And Faith has stamped herself indelibly on our stock with her

son by Coppice Bugle, Coppice Fanfare, of whom more below.

Our coloured herd was now quite substantial, with the addition of Lockinge

Elspeth, a lovely bay mare also by Lockinge Giles, out of Lockinge Enid. ‘Ellie’

was a prolific breeder of good foals by Blue and then later by Blue’s son,

Coppice Bandsman. Coppice Edwin, Ellie and Bandsman’s chestnut son, is up

there with the best ponies we’ve bred, a super, typey gelding with masses of hair

and a steadfast temperament, excelling as a child’s first ridden pony and an

excellent jumper. Another Giles daughter then joined us via Reading, a lovely

liver chestnut with flaxen mane and tail, Kensons Demelza who was out of

Lockinge Nutleaf and was the mother of Coppice David who was the same

colour as his mum and was another brilliant child’s pony and a good jumper.

David was lost to internal tumours when he was 18, which even so seemed far

too young for such a vital, adorable little pony.

The one coloured mare I tend to forget about but who had, probably, the most

enormous impact on our coloured stock, was a little bay mare, only about 37”,

called Cwmhen Beauty. Beauty was by Kinlet Firelight out of Begum of

Checkley and was bought from Cwmhen Stud in foal to Seva Little Lord. She

had a pretty head and big eye and those lovely limbs that look as if they’ve grown

straight out of the ground, but she was otherwise unremarkable and, being quite

nervous, kept herself to herself and was never at the front of the group and so you

tended not to notice her. But, boy, did she throw some smashing foals, firstly the

chestnut and white colt by Seva Little Lord, Coppice Bugle, who despite being

only 38” consistently produced big, chunky foals, notably the lovely ridden

gelding, cream and white, Coppice Topper, and Coppice Fanfare, the superb bay

and white stallion now producing a succession of good, coloured ridden ponies.

And Beauty’s pairing with Firebird of Spring Cottage gave us, amongst many

others, two full brother stallions, the chestnut Coppice Bandsman and the blue

roan Coppice Bobby Blue, as well as their full sister Coppice Belle Blue.

Bandsman consistently throws four-square, typey children with lots of hair in the

height range 39” to 41” and Bobby has given us our lovely chestnut stallion,

Coppice Everyman, out of the Bandsman daughter Coppice Eloise. Everyman is

a distillation of all our best coloured breeding and is already throwing chunky,

typey stock with lovely heads, super temperaments and lots of hair. Belle Blue

has also produced some lovely, big coloured foals with good limbs and big

bodies and her blue and white daughter, Butterfly (by Coppice Fanfare) is also

carrying on the type with a cross back to her grandfather Bandsman.

In later years we have added some outcrosses in the shape of Abbotsford Ice

Cube, ‘Lolly’, a big, grey stallion with solid Southley breeding, and Sapphire

Vasheer, a substantial, good natured black stallion by Sapphire Viceroy out of

Clivocast Gypsy. Lolly’s job is to put a bit more height on our coloured ponies

with the aim of getting stocky, up to height ridden ponies for performance, which

is dear to our hearts as we like ponies to have a job to do. Vasheer’s job is to put

more substance on our exquisite black mares who tend to have oodles of quality

but sometimes lack ‘chunk’. So far he’s done sterling work and we have sold

some very good youngsters, which we hope to see excel in the show ring over the

next few years. We plan to show as much as possible in hand ourselves, creaking

old bones permitting, and also to have a string of ridden ponies out on the circuit

with Natalie Greasley who has been training and producing our ridden ponies for

several years now. Long may it continue.

__________________

When I set out to write this piece I was supposed to keep it to about three pages,

which has proved to be a hopeless task – nearly 30 years of breeding, showing,

triumphs and heartaches, hard work and fun – not easy to fit onto a few pages

and, even then, there is so much more to tell. I’ve really enjoyed the writing: I

very much hope you have all enjoyed the reading.

May I wish you all good luck and happiness with your ponies, breeding and

showing.

COPPICE STUD PICTURES

Coppice fanfare with Nat Greasley Coppice Edwin & Ellie Jones

Sheila and the foals May 2004

Our Veterinary Expert is Mr.Brian Cotter. M.V.B & M.R.C.V.S of the Emerald Veterinary Group in Tumble ,Llanelli. Brian is an experienced equine vet and the readers Questions were:

Q1: This year none of my 6 mares are in foal, the stallion has always covered them fine before and he is not old or ill, should i get him checked for fertility or could it be other cicumstances like the soil/feed etc? .A. To have all 6 mares empty probably indicates that it's likely to be the stallion - he needs to be checked. As stallions get older the sperm count gets less but if this is a young stallion then you need to check his testicles and penis in case of infection or a kick from a mare. It is possible to have a stallion's semen checked by using an artificial vagina (AV) but some stallions are easier to collect from than others. It is my opinion that it is very unlikely to have anything to do with your soil or feeding - get the stallion checked before next season ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Q2: Can I feed my ponies haylage safely as i have been told by a friend that it is too rich for them and they should just have hay?

A2:.�

This is a difficult question to answer - it depends on whether you have your own hay or haylage and its quality or do you have to buy it in. Whats very important is the condition of your ponies and whether any of them have sufferred previously from laminitis. Be very careful what you feed these types of ponies. Hay and haylage can vary in quality and wetness and remember that you will need to feed less haylage in volume than hay.

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If there are any Questions that you would like asked then Please send in your Questions For the Vet to answer to : Vets Question Time c/o Penybryn House,Waterloo Street Cwmbach,Aberdare,Mid.Glamorgan.CF44 0ED And we will print the answers in future issues. Or email tygwynminiatureshetlands@hotmail.com

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Hermaphrodite pony finds friendship with donkey By permission of METRO .com

Meet Tootsie - a hermaphrodite pony who lived for 12 years with his owners thinking he was female.

Tootsie the hermaphrodite pony

For most of his life the Shetland pony, who has both male and female genitalia, was thought to be a mare and went by the name of Amy. And to add to his confusion he has been taken into care, undergone a sex

change operation and been re-homed - only to be shunned by his peers. But now Tootsie - named after Dustin Hoffman's cross-dressing character in the film of the same name -

finally appears to be settling in at the Bransby Home of Rest for Horses, near Lincoln. And he has found an unlikely friend - in stablemate Derek the donkey.

Verity Chappell, welfare manager at Bransby, said the other animals at the sanctuary had not been very tolerant of the exotic new arrival. 'He doesn't seem to know what he is.

'I think behaviourally he is not sure and the other animals seemed to have an issue with him,' she said. 'Before they even touched him, we noticed they flapped their ears back, which is a sign they don't like someone, as if to say "you're not normal".'We knew we were going to have to pair him with another

animal.'He seems to have settled in with a little donkey called Derek. 'To begin with there was a little animosity, but he will remain with Derek now for the rest of his life.'

The Shetland, who lived with a family for all his life, was only found to be different when he was taken in by the RSPCA. Vets are now carrying out blood tests to check Tootsie's chromosome levels and determine his

exact sex. Despite his upbringing as a mare, Tootsie still has an eye for the ladies. Peter Hunt, who founded the animal rest home 40 years ago, said: 'I am 75 years of age and this is the first I

have ever seen. 'He still squeals and gets excited by mares. He is full of life in that department. If he could get near them he

would be a bit of a nuisance.' We eagerly await the heartwarming film version of Tootsie and Derek's story.

Please send any articles ,poems or interesting items that you may have to Penybryn Hse, Waterloo St, Cwmbach, Aberdare,Mid Glamorgan. Cf44 0ED Or telephone me directly on 01685 873373 email us at tygwynshetlands@btinternet.com Thank you to those who contributed for this edition.