Parade of Welsh ponies:  Flaming Kate & Skyla Clements Welsh Part Bred representing the British Spotted Ponies,    Taking part on the Breed display – Shannon Down’s Sangrug Edwyn Section A, Charley Handley’s Synod Rain Dancer Section C, Millie Login’s Kaydence Whatever Section D.

Thank you for your time & effort in bringing your ponies to the Equine Fair.

Saturday & Sunday, 7^th & 8^th December  CHRISTMAS EQUINE FAIR, Westpoint, Devon County  Showground.   We had a stand there (No 1) as in previous years and we have once again been lucky  enough to receive funding from the WPCS towards the cost.  Many thanks to those members who manned the stand on Saturday Belinda Watson, Anna Richards,  Bex Vinnicombe, Sue & Janet Hardy.  Sunday Anne Brice, Judy Pring, Vicky Stephens and Anne & Stewart Franklin.

Also many thanks to Bex as she not only provided the column of horse treats that people had to guess how many there were but also arranged the prize – a hamper full of all sorts of goodies, for example 2 tickets to the RHS Malvern 2020 Flower Show, whip covers, key rings, tie, horse rugs, chaps plus many other items.    The cloth and bunting with our SWA logo printed on them.  Bex must have spent hours doing all this and asking firms and business to donate items for the hamper. 

Vicky Stephens says “Really enjoyed my stint on the SWA of WPCS stand on Sunday at the Equine Fair, great way of meeting new people. Would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated prizes for our hamper 👏 . Result next Saturday at Christmas lunch!
One thing which really struck me was how many Welsh ponies are out there doing all sorts of jobs and people don’t know we run performance competitions they could be entering! We are not just about breeding!! They all need a job and what ever it is we love to hear about them!! Please spread the word and check out our website plus the main society website too.😁“

Annandale Royal Warrant Photo by Nicky Woods

CONGRATULATIONS to AMELIA O’CONNOR on her
outstanding successes at the STARS Southern Show held at Addington Manor Equestrian Centre with her TWO Welsh ponies – Section C TYNTYLA CARADOG LLYWD and Section B CADLANVALLEY CONQUEST. Amelia has been congratulated only in Native Pony magazine but also in the Horse & Hound! Tyntyla Caradog Llwyd won both the In hand & Ridden Large Breeds Titles while Cadlanvalley Conquest won the Small Breeds Ridden. Amelia added to her tally by winning the Junior Handler and Equitation titles completing her winnings of five finals!

9^th November       SWA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday             2 pm Exminster Suite, Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter EX6 7UX

Our new venue for this year’s AGM was very convenient and the staff were very helpful.  It was a pity that they were not more members attending but those that did enjoyed a very interesting illustrated talk by our Guest Speaker – Mr Brian Foster of the Gerrig Stud and current President of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society.

Brian Foster

Hewid Cardi for many years the stud stallion and well know Champion & sire

Hewid Melda with her first foal

CONGRATULATION to all the members who have competed at HOYS. What an experience for you all. Special Congratulations go to Anna Richards riding Jula Richards Springbourne Cartier. They were 2nd in the Section A Ridden class to the eventual Champion of the NPS/Baileys Horse Feed M&M Ridden Pony of the Year Championship – Nantfforchogg Blue Moondust, yesterday. What an achievement!

Photo by Jula Richards of Anna & Cartier waiting in the collecting ring. See Anna’s Fb post for a video of her individual display.

 Three Counties Showground, Malvern

Some rather nervous but very smartly dressed young people gathered in the afternoon to receive a brief from Mrs Hazel Galbraith on the way in which the competition was organised.   As this was the same procedure as we had followed in our assessment our candidates were well prepared.   Representing the South West were Skyla Clements, Madlin Ridewood, Tamia Joyner, Millie Login and Charley White, unfortunately, at the last minute, Arabella Lawrence Hall had been unable to join them.   Our coach, Jess Talbot, had spent a lot of time advising our team and we are very grateful to her.

Although no one from our team was in the first three in each age group, they did the Association proud when faced with the daunting task of placing 4 very different Section C ponies and then having an individual interview.   Well done to all of you – do try again next year – and thank you!

See the For Sale Page for SWAWPCS own goods for sale.  All full members were sent, with the Spring 2019 Newsletter, an Anniversary key ring.  Additional key rings are available at a cost of £3.00.   The Welsh Slate Coasters are for sale at £7.50 each

SWAWPCS 50th Anniversary Leather Key Ring

SWAWPCS 50th Anniversary Welsh Slate Coaster

SUNDAY 14 JULY 2019

What a fantastic day we had at Forces Farm, Butterleigh, home of the Sarum Stud of Annie and Stewart Franklin and how very welcoming they were as with a team of helpers on the day, a wonderful spread was laid out before us.   The Franklins’ generosity is becoming renown and this Celebration was no exception.   The weather was just right and it was a marvellous opportunity for members to sit and socialise, catch up and see old friends.

Starting with a welcoming drink we were almost – but not quite – overwhelmed with the hog roast cooked to perfection, carved and served by Ian Jones and Vicky Stephens (that crackling was something else!)   Yvonne Small and Jenny Stephens had prepared the rolls and put them in a serviette so it was a quick operation to add the beautifully moist and tasty pork, adding whichever sauce you fancied plus delicious coleslaw and salad.   There were vegetarian choices with quiches brought by the Joyners so no-one could complain they couldn’t find something to eat.  This feast was followed by a wide choice of desserts, at least half a dozen to choose from, I don’t think I was the only one to over indulge!

After a further drink of whatever you fancied, it was up to the outdoor menage to take part in or watch the various games which Maxine Ingham had devised, ably helped by Vicky Stephens in putting the teams together.   Oh what fun the children – and adults – had, have you any idea how hard it is to ‘ride’ a spacehopper!    And how those thighs ached afterwards!   Other races included catching a soft boiled egg , catch a water balloon, 3 legged race, sack race, piggyback, and wellie wanging!   Maxine was there with the appropriate sticker – some children had a whole chest full by the end of the games and thoroughly enjoyed having the opportunity to get both dirty and wet!

Some people had already had to leave but the rest of us then sat down to a welcome drink and to enjoy the wonderful celebration cake made for the occasion by Jo Rodd’s stepmother.   A lovely moist chocolate sponge with the smoothest, thinnest icing you can make, it was just right with a plaque in the centre of the SWA logo.   Invited to cut the cake, Mrs Jo Lutey, one of our longest serving members, said a few words reflecting on the growth and success of the SWA, remembering the founder members, and referring to the excellent reputation the SWA has gained within the Welsh Pony and Cob Society.

We are so grateful to the Franklins for generously sponsoring this memorable event and the approximately 50 members present will not easily forget the SWA’s 50^th birthday celebrations.

Sue Hardy

14 to 17 September 2019

Our annual visit to studs in Wales will be in the Carmarthenshire area over 4 days.  If you are interested in joining this trip please complete the reply slip sent with the Spring 2019 Newsletter and enclose an A5 stamped addressed envelope to :

 Mr S Franklin, Forces Farm, Butterleigh, Cullompton EX15 1PJ

Accommodation is usually taken up very quickly and it is allocated on a first come first served basis.  This has always been a very good trip with a chance to visit studs in a group without the pressure to buy!!!   Although usually some one does!

The 2018 SWA Group in North Wales at Danash/Newgap Studs