SPECIAL EVENT FOR 2010:
"HILL PONIES OF WALES" AND OTHER RARE BREEDS OPEN DAY"
AT GLANUSK PARK, CRICKHOWELL, POWYS BY KIND PERMISSION OF THE Hon. Mrs Shan Legge-Burke LVO
on Sunday 9th May 2010. Parades of Welsh Mountain semi Feral Ponies, Premium Stallion, Other rare breeds, Show for Sections A, B, C & D. Ridden classes and driving display.
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At one time, the hills of Wales and the borders were alive with hill ponies; herds of wild, hardy animals left virtually to fend for themselves, ensuring that only the hardiest survived. Mother Nature’s doctrine of “survival of the fittest” led to the evolution of the Welsh Mountain Pony into an agile, hardy, fit, strong, intelligent and beautiful animal. The enormous contribution that the hill breeders have made to retain the traditional characteristics of the Welsh Mountain Pony is now being recognised it is a must that we retain these irreplaceable animals. Indeed, it is essential to try and maintain the tradition of keeping these ponies on their natural heath to ensure that these invaluable characteristics are not lost over the years. At some Hill Sales you will see breeders seeking out these bloodlines. It is believed that the Hill Pony Improvement Societies became established as a result of the Commons Act 1908. However, some Hill Societies pre-dated The Bill and may have acted as an instigator to The Bill itself. The early Welsh Stud Book reported that The Right Hon. Earl Carrington, G.C.M.G., President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, received a deputation on the subject of protection and improvement of the breed. Lord Kenyon led the deputation and the meeting eventually resulted in the Act of Parliament, intended to assist with the improvement of Hill Ponies and their breeding. The Act itself still stands today, enabling control of the ponies, especially entires, roaming common land to ensure breeding standards are maintained. However, in the late 20th century, the decline in numbers of the Hill Ponies became apparent to many of the Hill Breeders and The Welsh Pony and Cob Society Council Members. The Welsh Pony and Cob Society subsequently asked Betty French to carry out a survey on The Welsh Mountain Pony. Betty was assisted by her husband Brian and carried out the enormous task. I'm sure that all lovers of the true hill pony would like to thank them both. [ Based on and reprinted from Welsh Ponies & Cobs magazine of WPCS] A precise of the survey: by Elizabeth French [From the "Hill Ponies of Wales Newsletter" Issue 1, April 2005] You may ask “Why this survey”? Well, the hill ponies are our heritage, our ponies and cobs are admired all over the world, they have descended from the forebears of a gene pool of these hardy ponies on the hills, their survival is imperative for us to have a gene pool of these ponies. The purpose of this survey was to present the figures to The Rare Breeds Trust and for the application for Rare Breed Status and as a result the hill ponies are now on "The Rare Breeds List" Many members thought the hill ponies were safe and that there were at least still 2000 breeding mares on the hills. The survey showed that this was not so and that registered breeding mares of four years old and over were down to the very low number of less than 800 - this puts them into the category of “At Risk”. Although the numbers have a built in ten per cent allowance for ponies not as yet visited, it was noted that of all the thirty areas visited only one hill breeder has increased his herd due to the renewed interest of the family. To the year 2000 there had been a decline of the hill ponies by 25% over the previous eight years. Foot & Mouth was devastating and because of the hardships the decline of hill ponies has continued. The general interest of all members was very positive and to further this interest Betty has over nine hundred photos and two hundred slides and is prepared to give talks and presentations to emphasis the importance of retaining the feral Welsh Mountain Pony in its natural environment. The three years of gathering the information was a never to be forgotten project. Betty had the help and friendship of Hill Breeders, without whom it would not have been possible to make this survey a success. She says "The whole experience was reward in itself, therefore this survey did not incur any cost to the Society, and through this survey, the hill ponies have received recognition from The Rare Breeds Trust."
Hill Ponies [photo courtesy Janneke de Rade] |
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Details of The Welsh Pony and Cob Society Welsh Mountain Premium Scheme1. The administration of the scheme will be based on the ability of the Pony Improvement Societies to apply the conditions and requirements of the Commons Lands Act. The Societies will be entirely responsible for the control of their area and will annually certify to the Welsh Pony and Cob Society that the conditions of the Commons and Enclosures Acts and Regulations have been and are effectively carried out particularly in connection with the clearance of scrub stallions. On the Inspection day a few Improvement Societies may be selected at random and the Hill or Common under their jurisdiction inspected by members of an elected Committee. 2. The Societies will be responsible for the selection and acquisition of the Welsh Mountain pony stallions either by hire, lease, loan or purchase as their Committee may decide. 3. The Societies will be entirely responsible for the payment of hiring fee/purchase price as the case may be. 4. The terms of hiring, leasing or lending will be settled between the Improvement Society and the stallion owner; the Welsh pony and Cob Society will not be responsible either directly or indirectly nor in an advisory capacity. 5. The Societies will submit annually and as required by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society a form of census and information and this form must be completed and returned to the Secretary of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society within the prescribed dates. Failure to complete and return the form within the period will result in the withdrawal of the privileges of association and participation in money and other grants. 6. The Welsh Pony and Cob society as administrators of the Premium Scheme will arrange for two of it’s official judges annually to award Premiums to selected Welsh Mountain Pony Stallions presented by the Societies and will meet the cost of administration from it’s own funds. 7. The judges so appointed will be guided in making their awards by the standard of type as laid down in the Society’s Stud Book, and will submit a schedule of their awards to the Secretary of the Society together with an informative Report. 8. The judges will have absolute discretion in withholding Premiums and will give regard to the physical condition of the stallions, satisfying themselves that the ponies are fit for service, and will only approve stallions that possess the highest standard of quality. 9. The inspection will generally be held in May of each year at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells. 10. The Welsh Mountain Pony stallions awarded Premiums at Glanusk Show in from 2001 onwards will have mane samples taken for DNA typing on the Showground immediately following the Premium Classes. Animals that have already been DNA typed will not be re-done, but for all others it will be a condition of receiving the Premium. The cost of the DNA testing kit will be borne by the Society. Mr S.W.R.Mitchell has very kindly offered to take the mane samples free of charge and the Society wishes to thank him for his generosity. If the stallion owner prefers to have the DNA mane sample taken by his own Veterinary Surgeon after the Show he may do so. In this case he should take the DNA testing kit home with him and must ensure that the sample is taken no later than 10 days after the Show. His Veterinary Surgeon should post this to Newmarket in the normal way and the stallion owner must confirm, in writing, to the Secretary of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society that the sample has been taken. In this case the Veterinary Surgeon’s fees will be borne by the stallion owner. 11. The rosettes will be awarded to the owners of the stallions that are awarded Premiums. 12. The Societies must satisfy the Welsh Pony and Cob Society that the Stallion passes for a Premium is registered in Section A of the Stud Book and holds a Licence/Veterinary Certificate issued by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. These documents must be recorded at the Society’s Office prior to the Inspection. 13. The judges will place the entered stallions in order of merit according to their judgement for the purpose of Premiums. 14. The judges will be at liberty to offer advice if it is sought on the merits of stallions which are not awarded Premiums or on matters of mutual interest. 15. The Premiums awarded will be paid by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society on receipt of a certificate from the Secretary of the Improvement Society that the stallion in question has run on the Hill or Common in accordance with the conditions of the Scheme for the period 1st June (or before) to the 31st July. 16. Improvement Societies may, on being recommended by the Improvement Societies and subject to the approval of Council, be allowed to run their stallions under fence provided that the stallions are made available to members of Hill Improvement Societies in the normal way. 17. The Societies must guarantee that the stallions are roaming the Hills and Commons in respect of which the Premiums are awarded. 18. The responsibility for loss or damage to the stallion or caused by the stallion from whatever cause is a risk which must be agreed as between the Association and the stallion owner. The Welsh Pony and Cob Society will not be responsible directly or indirectly under this Scheme or otherwise for any liability arising from any cause. 19. First and final objects of the Premium Award Scheme shall always be the improvement of the Breed. The colour and markings of all foals will be scanned. The original colour and markings, as completed by the applicant, will be scanned directly onto the animal’s Passport. It is therefore vitally important that all markings are clearly shown, especially any distinguishing marks such as whorls, flesh (pink) marks and hoof colouring. New application forms are available from the Office – please do not use any old stocks of application forms. Please note that the following were approved following consultation with Welsh Mountain Pony Improvement Societies, members will note that some of these rules are already in being: 1. No scrub stallions or yearling colts to run on the Hill, requirement of the Commons Land Act. 2. All members are required to abide by the Welsh Pony and Cob Society Welsh Mountain Pony Premium Scheme Rules. 3. Members of Hill Pony Improvement Societies must be proven members of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society. 4. All members’ young stock, mares and stallions are registered with the Welsh Pony and Cob Society and will carry a passport from 1999. If further legislation is necessary, the Society (Improvement) will co-operate.
New Ruling introduced in 2003. a. Animal Welfare Officers selected by the Society have the right to inform any member(s) of animal(s) that are not up to the standard expected. Notice of removal will be given with immediate effect. b. It was recommended that all members’ foals be taken off the common by 31st October of each year. c. A recommended worming programme be administered. d. All members are legally responsible for their own animals. However, the Society will take action deemed necessary of any member(s) contravening these matters.
The Welsh Pony and Cob Society 6 Chalybeate Street Aberystwyth Ceredigion SY23 1HP [ Reproduced with the Society’s permission.] |
