BCPS NEWSLETTER

WINTER 2020

OFFICE CLOSURE:- The Office will be closed from 24th December 2020 until 4th January 2021

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Rees Herrod, our extremely helpful solicitor at I won't repeat all that is in the Minutes but I do Wright Hassell, who helped us with the new want to thank Helen Horsfall, Sophie James and Articles and Rules, was adamant that we should Julie Somervail for all they have done during their send the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting time on the Council and to welcome the three new out soon after the meeting since nobody was able Council members, Katy Seedhouse, Lauren to be there except for myself and Geth on Zoom! Stokeld and Kerry Wainwright. None of them It seemed sensible to include a newsletter with the have served on the Council before so it will be Minutes rather than wait to send on separately in exciting to have some "new blood" with new ideas the New Year. and I hope lots of energy to bring to the Council.

The new Council has already made a New Year's resolution which is to communicate as much as possible with the Membership and we very much hope that you will reciprocate by giving us your views. We have asked for ideas for the Shows and for Merchandise in this newsletter and look forward to hearing from you we are "all ears".

Covid has cast a long shadow over 2020 and all the Society events. We must keep everything crossed that the roll out of the vaccines is At the virtual AGM, the retiring President, Benita successful and we can all look forward to seeing Sanders was presented with a virtual bouquet. I one another and better times in 2021. said that I very much regretted that the flowers could not be presented in person as a token of the In the meantime, please keep safe and have a Society's gratitude. The fact that they had come by Happy Christmas even if it might not be the one courier in no way lessened our appreciation of all that you planned. that Benita has done both for the Council and the Members of the BCPS. Andrew Morrey was warmly welcomed as our new President and Christina Fletcher as President Elect.

OFFICE TELEPHONE The Secretary has been answering queries from Rachel Davis at DEFRA all year about the Society's The new BCPS telephone system in a “Cloud” based rules for registration etc as DEFRA is having to apply one. Whilst this should prove to be financially for Third Country listing for each registered Passport beneficial to the Society it does, however, have Issuing Organisation individually. It is hoped that the limitations. For example, if you call either number Commission listing will be completed before 31st and the Secretary is taking another call you will not December so that trade with the EU can continue as hear an engaged tone. It will ring as normal but, after before. If the listing is not completed, then the Society about 30 seconds, the BT Call Minder will cut in. can still overstamp all Connemaras imported from Ireland (or from anywhere else for that matter) and add them to the relevant section in the Studbook as REGISTERING YOUR FOAL we have before. What it does mean, however, is that Please remember that DEFRA regulations still any animal which we issue a passport to after 31 currently apply and you should have sent in your December 2020 will not be recognised as a pure or application to register your foal by now. Please partbred Connemara in any other studbook in Europe either contact the Office or visit the following link:- – including Ireland. https://www.gov.uk/horse-passport/apply-for-a- Another change will be, after the 1st January to the -passport regulations concerning the import and export of from the EU published by the Animal and Plant Health Agency 7 November 2016 and last updated DNA/HWSD RESULTS 19th December 2019. This of course includes ponies

imported and exported to Ireland. The links to the In order to take advantage of their Connemara relevant pages on the Government website are below. database, the Society use Weatherbys Scientific Briefly, a pony coming from Ireland may have to have Laboratory in the Republic of Ireland for both DNA various health checks and the exporter will need to and HWSD results. complete an Export Certificate. For the journey, The Laboratory is currently experiencing a significant Transporter Authorisation, a Certificate of increase in demand and is taking at least eight weeks Competence and a Vehicle Approval certificate will be to return results. Please bear this in mind when required. If the journey is longer than 8 hours two sending in Registration Applications for your foal. journey logs must be completed. The rules for We believe Weatherbys are hoping to increase both professional transporters will be more stringent than equipment and staff in the new year which should for those transporting their own ponies. It is inevitable help to speed things up but unfortunately there is no that the cost of bringing a pony over from Ireland will fast track option at the moment. increase. The regulations for exporting ponies to the

EU are just as onerous.

MICROCHIP UPDATE Gov.UK page on exporting equines from 1st January: The Equine Identification Regulations require all in Wales to be identified with a microchip by 12 February 2021 and hold a valid passport. These requirements also https://www.gov.uk/guidance/export-horses-and- come into force in Scotland from 20 March 2021. This ponies-from-1-january-2021#welfare-declaration requirement came into force in England from 1 October 2020. Gov.UK page on importing equines from 1st January: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-horses-and- If you have had your pony recently microchipped please ponies-from-1-january-2021 send a copy of the pages in the passport which show the pony’s name and UELN and also the page the vet has completed with the microchip bar tab to the Office so the APOLOGY BCPS database and CED can be updated. In the obituary for Phyllida Buxton in the July newsletter, it mistakenly said that Hearnesbrook Halley was by Hearnesbrook Fastnet out of BREXIT Rosenharley Rinamara. We would like to thank

Susan Cheyne for pointing out that Halley was As the end of the Transition Period on 31st December actually out of Richella who was of course bred 2020 draws nearer, our thoughts turn to what effect a "no deal Brexit" could have on the Society, the ponies by Susan's mother Louise Barthorp. and our members.

BCPS Archive Material - Thank you! APPOINTMENTS TO THE COLT INSPECTORS PANEL Many thanks to all those Members who answered my Gill Evans and Helen Horsfall have been plea for back copies of Chronicles and Stud Books. The appointed to the Society's Colt Inspector's Panel. house is now full of Connemara memorabilia thanks to donations from all quarters. There is still room for more, however, so to anyone who would like to add COLT INSPECTIONS 2021 to the growing pile of publications, documents, correspondence and photographs, please send your Any owner who would like their colt inspected in contributions along! 2021 please contact the Office to be added to our On that note, the archive contains a large number of list. Council will decide on venues/dates early video tapes on various Connemara topics plus a range next year. of historical records of past stallion parades. Does anyone know of or have a contact who could transfer these on to DVDs or a more modern equivalent, as Pony Welfare this winter video tapes are rapidly becoming un-viewable for most people? If so, could you please let me know? With this horribly wet autumn the upshot for a lot of Thank you. owners is MUD FEVER. It is bacterial dermatitis which The request to the British Library to allocate ISSNs to is quite painful and can be difficult to cure. The the Chronicle and the Stud Book – both back and on- application of a mix of Flowers of Sulphur and pig oil going copies – has been successful, so the full sets of seems to be a useful remedy. The best thing of course each that I have ready, can now join the BL periodical is to get them off the wet muddy areas and keep them section as soon as Covid restrictions allow, be updated dry for up to two weeks. Washing does not help. After annually, and catalogued accordingly. an initial washing off to see the damage with Andrew Morrey. Tel: 01588 620314 Email: Hibiscrub, only antibacterial ointment, or the mix [email protected] above, should be used. Vet advice is that if you wash off your ponies legs when they come in from pasture, please DRY them COLT INSPECTION 2020 thoroughly. This is very important, due to the temperature of the legs. Thank you to all the colts and their Even the hardy Connemara pony, can fall victim to this owners/handlers who came along to our Colt very annoying bacterial infection. Inspection in September. Many congratulations If your ponies are out 24/7 then please check under to the following colts who achieved Class 1 the fetlock every day, for pink skin which looks like status: ‘scald’ and indicates the first signs of mud fever and also if there are any cuts or grazes where bacteria can Wellbury Play The Joker get in, or if the legs are swollen. (Spinway Token/Cloonisle Colleen) I am reliably informed that Battles Summer Fly Ointment is very useful as it has healing properties Clover Hill Magic and is based on a barrier cream (other creams are (Glencarrig Knight/Inverin Misty) available)!! Covid19 – Some of the hardest hit businesses appear Skaergaardens Disco Night to be Riding Schools and Equestrian Centres, it is (Wirtsmuhle Delaney’s/Skaergaardens Secret really hard to keep horses and ponies going with no Love) income, as regular farrier and worming are an essential just to keep them going, even if turned out. Rosscon Emperor The BHS has a Coronavirus Welfare Fund and I would (Frederiksminde Hazy March/Everlast Worth the ask please, if you have any spare cash this winter!! Wait) Please consider a donation to this fund however small. Or any of the Charities that care for horses in Thanks to Warwickshire College, Moreton the UK. Morrell for kindly hosting our ‘socially distanced’ I can be contacted at [email protected] colt inspections. if you need any help with a welfare issue.

RETIREMENT FROM THE JUDGE'S PANEL NORTHERN BREED SHOW 2021

Sadly, Mr Michael Sanders has stood down from This will be held on Sunday 08th August 2021 at

the BCPS Judges Panel from 2021 due to ill Warren Farm Equestrian Centre health. Southport Old Road Formby SHOWS 2021 Merseyside L37 0AN

BREED SHOW JUDGES 2021 Secretary: Mrs R Bond email:[email protected]

Friday In : If you wish to sponsor a class at the 2021 show please contact Ms K Tett, Sponsorship Secretary: Robert Pink Classes 28 - 34 Part Breds, Geldings and email:[email protected] Tam O' Shanters Please keep checking our Facebook page British Northern Connemara Show and our instagram@britishnorthernconnemarashow for updates. Barbara McGrath Classes 35 - 40 Progeny, Foals and

Mares

Christina Fletcher Classes 41-45 Yearlings, Two years, Performance Award Scheme Three years and 2 year old colt/ stallion In this strangest of years, being able to go out riding has been a huge blessing. Some of our competitors Saturday Ridden: took to online competitions with great enthusiasm, while others found the first lockdown a welcome Michael Goddard Very Novice classes , NPS 4, 5 & 6 opportunity to school their ponies without the year olds & HOYS Conformation pressure of next weekend’s event, or just to get away from it all on long hacks in the beautiful spring Martin Jones HOYS Ridden and Performance Pony weather. Final Having had online competitions on the horizon for Kay Gibb NPS Qualifiers Junior Ridden, Picton, some time, the PAS Committee decided in August that Intermediate & Open & Performance Pony Qualifier they needed to be accommodated within the Scheme and held a Zoom meeting to agree how to do this. In Christina Fletcher Working Hunter Pony Conformation December, these provisions were incorporated into Malcolm Fry Working Hunter Pony Jumping the Rules for the 2020-21 competition year, having been amended to give half points for all online competitions. As the Chairman announced in her report in the AGM booklet, we are holding a two day show at Moreton While on the subject of doing things online, we are Morell in 2021. The In Hand classes will be on 16th pleased to be able to announce that points cards can July and the Ridden classes on 17th July. There will be now be ordered via the BCPS website, so there is no something social on the evening of 16th July. New for need to put cheques and SAEs in the post unless you this year will be an "unaffiliated ring". The Show prefer to do so. Committee will be meeting early in the New Year to discuss the schedule and we would very much like to Over 50 cards were returned, and the next problem hear from members what classes they would like in was how to do the Prizegiving when the usual lunch the Unaffiliated Ring. If you have some ideas, please was out of the question, even before the second send them in an email to the Secretary who will pass lockdown. them on to the Show Committee members. There will We are greatly indebted to Kate and Charlotte also be a "Trec Ring" courtesy of Lynnette Marsh and Walters, who came up with the idea of a virtual Jo Murrell of the Minnismoor Stud who have very prizegiving over five days on the Society’s Facebook kindly offered to bring the Trec obstacles and help page, and executed it brilliantly. This was a with the running of the ring. wonderful opportunity to showcase the trophy winners to a wide audience, and will be continued next year even if we are able to have a real Prizegiving, as we hope. Four other Committee

members also deserve special thanks. Sally Gibb not have to be a member of the BCPS but the pony must only made the lovely rosettes, but posted the whole be a registered Connemara or partbred Connemara lot out, not just the usual uncollected ones. Kate registered with, or in the case of imported ponies, Simmons organised the transfer of trophies from last overstamped by the BCPS and registered on the UK year’s to this year’s winners – you only have to look at database. You can qualify by either being placed in the trophy list in the results to realise what a huge the top 10 of your section or by posting a double task this was. Julia Woods checked every single card clear. However, to compete at the Final the pony must as it came in, before sending them on to other be in the correct ownership and the owner of the Committee members for double checking, while pony must be a member of the BCPS. Sandra Parkington sorted out the spreadsheets which In 2018 at the start of these Championships we have made calculating the points so much easier. introduced the Performance Membership for those who wanted to compete at the but were not The theme running through the notes submitted by likely to take an active interest in the society or the trophy winners for the virtual prizegiving was the breeding and showing of Connemara ponies. pleasure these ponies bring their owners, particularly It is hoped that those competing in the BCPS Eventing this year. Everyone seems to have appreciated their Championships will also support and take part in our rosettes even more than usual. We all hope next fabulous Performance Award Scheme. year will be less challenging, but long may our wonderful ponies continue to delight us. Lucy Baguely and Glencarrig Dolphin - Winner of the Finchampstead Rolling EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS Stone Trophy (ODE) BCPS Performance Award Scheme 2019/2020 In Spring 2018 Emma Rugman, as her legacy for her time on the BCPS Council, having listened to many members and Connemara owner, complaining that the Society did not do enough for “average Connemara pony owner”, created the BCPS Eventing Championships. Emma, with her friend Fran Corkhill of HorseEvents, started the Championships with HorseEvents hosting BCPS qualifiers at all their unaffiliated ODEs along with a few other qualifiers scattered around the country. We had a very successful first Championships Final which was held at Elmwood Farm in conjunction with the NSEA Eventing Championships and was brilliantly hosted and put on for us by HorseEvents. With 2019 finals having to be cancelled due to the weather and rearranged for late March 2020 - then of BCPS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 course this year with COVID spoiling all our fun; we are all the more determined to make sure the 2021 2021 will see the inaugural BCPS Dressage Final will be “The Event of the 2021”. This year we have qualifiers all over the country from Championships with the final taking place on th Cornwall to Scotland but I do admit I am struggling to Friday, 16 July 2021 to be held at Moreton find a host in Wales so any suggestion please contact Morrell, Warwickshire College alongside our in me ([email protected])! We have over 30 hand day of the BCPS Breed Show. qualifiers lined up so far but we won’t be posting the list on the website until the New Year. We shall be running qualifiers at Intro, Prelim and 2021 will see the introduction of 70cm course at the Novice levels and at the finals the Prelim and Finals so there will now be Championships at the 70, Novice levels will be split into Open and 80, 90 and 100cm level. The Finals will be held at the Restricted classes depending on whether you th th weekend of the 11 /12 September at Swalcliffe have competed at affiliated dressage. There will Park Equestrian, Wykham, Park Lane, Swalcliffe, be special rosettes for all juniors (under 16) in Banbury, Oxon OX15 5EU. HorseEvents have made arrangements for stabling at the venue, but this will each section. be limited and will get booked up very fast. This is a new initiative and will allow competitors To compete at a qualifier the owner or rider do not to qualify by competing at local qualifiers, a list of which will be on our BCPS website along with full rules of the competition. We are hoping that all SOCIETY MERCHANDISE our area shows and all regions will be putting on qualifiers for us so that it will be possible for everyone to have a chance to qualify. If you To all members, we would appreciate your help and would like a qualifier in your area, please contact input on the subject of merchandise your area representatives as they may be putting some on. If this is not the case, and if you have a Which items would you be interested in buying? venue who is prepared to host a qualifier for us, Clothing then please let Kate Walters ([email protected]) know and she will Jackets, Gilets, Sweatshirts, Polo Shirts, Caps, send the qualification cards and details to your Headbands, etc. venues. Lifetime shopping bags, coffee mugs, or anything else To qualify for the final you must achieve a first or you can think of to promote the Society second place in your test arena or achieve a score of 65% or above. A qualification card will be LOGO handed to you with your rosette and/or test sheet. This qualification card must be sent in with Do you like the original Mare and Foal logo with the your entry to the final. To compete at the final wording British Connemara Society on the front or back. your pony must be registered with the BCPS or Or over stamped by the BCPS’s office and entered Would you just prefer B C P S on the front or back? onto our database. The owner of the pony must Or be a member of the BCPS. Would you like a complete change of logo, maybe using the front cover of the Chronicle with the mountains in the back and pony in the foreground. British Connemara Pony Society underneath the logo on the front or BCPS on the back or both?

We would really appreciate it if you could put forward a few suggestions so that we can organise a small range for next year

Please reply to [email protected]

Thank you for your help

TOP TIP

Dianna Staveley of Eastlands Stud sent us this tip. If you have any "top tips" to share with other Rebecca Hamilton Fletcher and Smokin members do please let us have them for the next Gun. Winner of the Sheila Inderwick newsletter. Memorial Trophy (Dressage) BCPS Performance Award Scheme 2019/2020 "When worming foals, make a sandwich by spreading the wormer on the bread with strawberry jam. Cut the sandwiches into small pieces and feed to the foal. " Dianna says that the ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ foals find them irresistible!

OBITUARIES

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that three staunch supporters of the Society and the Connemara Pony have died in the last two months.

Margaret Pearce, who was known to so many people as a font of all equine knowledge as well as being a member and breeder of Connemara ponies, sadly died of cancer on 18th October. She will be much missed.

Cancer claimed the life of Dave Tyler on 2nd November. Dave was s a tremendous support to Fran and the ponies and will be much missed in the Wales and Borders region as he was always ready to give a hand when required.

Lady Vestey died suddenly on 28th November. She was a generous supporter of the Connemara Pony and of the Society and took a great interest in the Lockinge ponies, originally bred by her mother the late Hester Knight and latterly by her sister Henrietta Knight. Lady Vestey will be much missed by her many devoted friends and admirers from her many interests.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PAT PARKER LEGACY

Pat’s daughter, Sue Nevill Parker and Jane Powell, who many of you will remember riding Pat’s stallion Arrow Javelin, have thought up an idea to honour Pat’s memory in a way they think she would want.

An amount of money from Pat’s estate will be given to the Society to provide a grant for the pursuit of equestrian knowledge and to enable the recipients to stretch their horizons.

Full details and how to apply will be in the Connemara Chronicle 2021.

This is our new flyer. It was designed to be returned with the passports belonging to non-members that had been sent to the Office for overstamping. We need to attract new members but we also need to keep our current members. We realise that a membership subscription may not be a priority in these very difficult times but we would be very grateful if you could continue to support the Society.

Subscriptions are due Membership renewals are due on 1st January 2021.

For those who pay by Standing Order could you please check with your bank that the amount payable is correct.

Adult Membership £40 Associate Membership £20 Joint Membership £55 Family Membership £65 Junior Membership £15 Overseas Membership £40

Books

SOLD ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED BASIS

Out of the Mist By Pat Lyne £20. 00 + £3.50 p & p

Connemara Pony Breeders’ Society 1923 - 1998 By Elizabeth Petch £15. 00 + £3.50 p & p.

The Moycullen Ponymen From Working ponies to International Stars By Tom Mac Lochlainn £15.00 + £3.50 p & p

The Modern Connemara The Search for Performance By Nicolas O’Hare £10. 00 + £2.70 p & p.

The Connemara Pony By Anne Rollinson £7.50 + £2.50 p & p

Please order from [email protected]

Cheque made payable to BCPS and sent to

Mrs G Tillin 24 Mount Pleasant Road, Alton, Hants GU34 1NN or by BACS British Connemara Pony Society Account No 44434006 Sort Code 60-14-30

Two Items of existing merchandise stock available

1 x Size 14 and 1 x Size 20 available. £39 each plus £3.99 postage. They would make a lovely Christmas present so please let Sophie James know if you would like to purchase one. Email:- [email protected] or Tel:- 07398 178283

IT COSTS THE SOCIETY £150 TO POST THIS NEWSLETTER OUT TO THOSE MEMBERS WHO HAVEN’T AGREED TO RECEIVE EMAILS FROM US. IF YOU RECEIVE A HARD COPY, BUT COULD ACCEPT AN EMAIL VERSION, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

NEWS FROM THE REGIONS

Blanche Miller has retired as Regional Representative for Wessex and Anne Ward has been appointed in her place. The Council would like to thank Blanche for all that she has done for the Wessex Region over the many years that she has served as the Representative for this region.

Sue Gillingham is now the Regional Representative of the Chiltern & TV Region. Tracey North remains as Chairman of the Region.

South East Connemaras ran a very successful M&M WHP Show on 30th October. The Champion was Mrs D Barr’s Grey Rock Oliver, ridden by Alice Barr. The South East M&M Show – run by South East Connemaras – will be on Sunday 9th May 2021 at Felbridge Show Centre.

Chiltern & Thames Valley Region Dressage – re-arranged date 19th December 2020 at 10:00 Manor Farm, Thame Road, Kingsey Bucks. HP17 8LU. Hosted by Sarah Gibb Unaffiliated Dressage including NPS Dressage qualifiers. Intro, Prelim and Novice. All tests to be ridden indoors. Kind permission of Mr & Mrs R North, Manor Farm, Kingsey, Bucks. HP17 8LU Sec:- Mrs Sarah Ward, 12 Cockton Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP19 8FA. Tel: 07701 054975. Email: [email protected]

Monday 28th December 2020 confirmed (subject to weather etc) for Derby/WHP Competition at Manor Farm. Contract Tracey North for Schedule. Tel:- 07842 678035 This will be the first of a Winter Competition with the final taking place on Saturday 22nd May 2021. Sunday 23rd May 2021 will be our Annual Charity Show where a Filly Inspection will also be available. Regional Representative – Sue Gillingham – [email protected]. Tel:- 01296 630846

Wessex Region will be holding a WHP clinic on Easter Monday, 5th April 2021 at Holnest. Also Dressage competition and Qualifier for Breed Show at Moreton Equestrian Centre early in the New Year. All dates and details will be on the Society Website and Facebook Page when finalised.

North East Region NECG Annual Show – Sunday 7th June, Todburn Equestrian Centre, Long Horsley, Morpeth. Filly Inspection same day and venue

North West Region Dressage Final Moreton Morell 16/17 July 2021 The Northern Connemaras have asked for Qualification Cards to be handed out at venues in our area Dates for competition can be found on the website for each individual venue To qualify you must come 1st or 2nd or have a score of 65% & above Please wear an armband to show that you are a member riding a pure/part bred Connemara & please claim your card when the results released You must collect your Q card on the day, please don’t ask for it days later to be posted Venues Dean Valley Woodford Cheshire

Bold Heath Warrington Cheshire

Kelsall Equestrian Centre Tarporley, Cheshire

Myerscough College Preston Lancs

If members know of any venues that are holding competitions, please contact me & I will try to arrange to join in with them. Please send any ideas and suggestions for any events that you would like us to hold in our area. Sending all Best Wishes for Christmas & Wish everyone Happy Safe & successful 2021 Let’s all hope it’s a happier & safer time for everyone.

Regards Barbara Bagshaw 07759448484

W&B Regional News December 2020

2020 has been a quiet year in the W&B region, as it has in many others due the uncertainty and restrictions arising from the Covid 19 pandemic: the shows we normally support were cancelled, and of course, group meetings have not been possible by and large.

Our members were shocked and saddened to hear that Dave Tyler sadly passed away in October. He and Fran had run the Riversdale stud for many years, breeding some lovely ponies who were successful in a variety of disciplines. Our thoughts are very much with Fran and her family at this difficult time.

Individual members have been flying the flag, and Zoom, Facebook, email and the telephone have all enabled us all to stay in touch to some degree; we even managed to hold our minimalist AGM with the Chairman and Secretary meeting up in the car park at Bodnant Garden – socially distanced, of course!

Filly inspections took place at the Riversdale Stud (twice) and at Dinarthall, with a good turn-out at each; the dry Spring and the mild Autumn allowed these outdoor activities to take place before and after the various lockdowns. We also have two inspection applications pending for next year already.

Several breeders in the area have had foals born this year, which augers well for the future, although there seems to have been a preponderance of colts, so filly foals have been thin on the ground. The boom in sales of ponies has occurred in Wales as well as the rest of the UK, and demand has exceeded supply; we must, however, be aware of the possibility of ponies being abandoned when life returns to ‘normal’ and owners tire of the commitment of keeping a pony once the demands of work etc. return.

The arrival of the long-awaited vaccines is welcome news, and may mean that 2021 allows us to resume life as we knew if – albeit with some changes.

Very best wishes to all our members, and we look forward to meeting you again in person next year.