| Geldings |
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following letter was sent on 19/11/08 to the Welsh Pony & Cob Society
Council for discussion and decision at their next available meeting - if
you are keen that the Gelding Incentives should go ahead with Society
backing please lobby your local Council member or indeed e-mail Gian@wpcs.uk.com
or fax 01970-625402 to voice your support.
Heniarth,
Ferryside, Carmarthenshire, Wales SA17
5YW Tel:
01267-267264 Fax: 01267-267954
E Mail: info@Heniarth.com The
Welsh Pony and Cob Society,
15th November 2008 6,
Chalybeate Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. Re: The Welsh Pony and Cob Gelding Incentive Scheme
(6 pages)
Dear
Members of Council, I
write, once again, on behalf of Mrs. Maggie Carter (Millcroft) and
myself to lay clear for Council, both new and long-term members, the
foundations of what we termed the,
“Gelding Incentive Scheme,” back in 2003, in the hope that we
may secure further Society support to encourage the position of young
geldings within our breed The
idea of raising the profile of geldings came about following a thorough
presentation to Council in 2002/2003 by Mrs Carter who was most
concerned at the live export of mainly low priced colt foals to Ireland
and then on to the Continent and beyond. This was acknowledged by the
then ILPH, now the World Horse Welfare charity. Sadly the current WPCS
Council at that time chose not to take any action. We,
personally, felt that this was indeed a welfare issue and something
should be done. So the Millcroft Special Rosette Scheme was devised,
(fully sponsored through the generosity of Mr and Mrs John Carter), and
the Junior National High Point Championship ran alongside it. Full
details of this can be read on www.Heniarth.com/geldings.htm
Collectively these we termed the Gelding Incentives. These we organised
ourselves for the first four years and then the Society did indeed pick
up the running of these two schemes from the Aberystwyth office. During
this year we have witnessed pitifully small amounts paid at auction for
colt foals and if we are led to believe the media predictions this
situation isn’t going to improve much next sale season either –
though I imagine the majority of those same dams are back in foal for
2009. This coupled with the extra cost of micro chipping on top of the
passport fee will make the plight of next years colt foals incredibly
vulnerable. Surely it is time to encourage the purchase of a colt foal,
to make a good gelding and a viable opportunity as an in-hand showing
prospect until it reaches the age that it can be broken to ride or drive?
The
argument that “producers prefer their young ponies to be unshown”
is a weak one as many often shown fillies are able to have good ridden
careers. Obviously we don’t endorse the over showing of any stock. Like
it or not, the showing fraternity is the life line for our breed, so why
not make the purchase of a colt foal that can be shown as a gelding in
it’s young stock days as appealing as buying a filly? We all breed
colt foals, not all are or should be kept entire. Not everybody wants an
entire colt but a young gelding is almost considered a burden by many
breeders; a second rate animal until it reaches an age when it can
perform then suddenly it becomes viable as there is a market place as a
Horse of the Year Show or Olympia prospect! Just read the descriptions
of this years entries at Fayre Oaks and at the Cob sales for this
evidence. Given
the numbers of mountain pony foals bred each year, it is incredible to
note that in its thirty-year history not one Mountain Pony has won the
prestigious Ridden Mountain and Moorland Olympia championship. Could
nurturing the colt foal/gelding issue help rectify this affair? I
feel I should point out here that at the same time as the original
Gelding proposals were brought to Council back in 2003 that I muted the
idea of a National Championship. This too fell on less than accepting
ears within council but look at this
event today promoted by an enthusiastic committee? Firstly the “New
London Gold”, then the “Rhydspence” and now I gather, the
“Brightwell National Championship”. The showing public has grasped
this concept and it is now a highlight of the season and a title to
behold. So why is the Society not getting behind the geldings? I note
this year that the Shrewsbury overall gelding championship was judged in
a side ring with no results or photos included in the report on the
Society website. This is not a comment meant to criticise the work of
that committee rather to illustrate that the WPCS must lead by example
and give the Gelding equal parity to it’s Colts and Fillies.
The
Shrewsbury committee has been written to (September 2008) in the
hope they might stage a “National” title for geldings but no
decision has yet been made. Once again, I understand the Millcroft Stud
has offered to sponsor such an award. The
Memorandum of Association of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society
states as an objective of the society that aims; 1.(iv)
to prevent cruelty to horses and ponies and 2.(vi) to
encourage the formation of Pony Improvement Societies which are to be
established for exclusively charitable purposes in order to improve the
Welsh Breeds and to demonstrate the value of using Premium Stallions
and of selective breeding by eliminating inferior colts and
stallions from stud use. What
of these inferior colts ? How are they to be eliminated? Both hill and
lowland breeders are annually faced with the dilemma of unwanted males.
People are quick to lament the sale of colt foals that; 1.Don’t
cover the cost of entry at an Official auction or 2. Are sold for little
more than a “bag of chips” at a regional market. So,
once again I ask if Council would seriously consider the original
proposal of Mrs Carter and myself as re-iterated in January 2006; and by
so doing inroads could be made to address the above aims. “In order to enhance the future for colt
foals, therefore giving junior geldings a greater chance of a
performance future; will Council direct that all Bronze Medal affiliated
shows must offer a class for Geldings, 3 years old or under, on top of
the stipulation of four classes per medal section, therefore creating a
network and incentive for individuals to run on colt foals and
geldings?” We
welcomed the inclusion of the Gelding Incentive Scheme on page 27 of the
Society’s2008 Judging and Showing Handbook, with the description taken
from the original outline. However no background or regulations were
stated as outlined on www.Heniarth/geldings.htm
A link to this site from the Society had been asked for on more
than one occasion but did not appear. Now that the Society has taken on
the scheme, ideally a devoted “Gelding” page on the WPCS website
would provide status and enhance their profile The
purpose of the Millcroft Gelding Rosettes were to be given
as a “reward” one could say if a show decided that they would offer
a class for “Gelding’s, three years old or under” as
part of their classification. A red rosette and a win is surely more
appealing and encouraging than a lower place “special” rosette
amidst a sea of fillies. Sadly we still see Panel Judges that will not
consider the gelding in a mixed class. The winners of these classes
would compete for an Overall title together with the highest placed
“Barren mare or Gelding” class on offer, the winner receiving a
Millcroft rosette. These rosettes were not to just be handed out to
anyone that asked for no return. Nor were they on offer to Overseas
Society’s as we have had reports that they have been awarded in
America and Australia. The Americans always have a complete “Gelding
Division” at their rated shows and the Australian’s are now staging
shows solely for geldings! So I think they are well ahead of us on the
gelding promotion stakes! Furthermore it is not helping the UK welfare
situation which was the catalyst and original starting
point for this scheme. It was felt that Part-Breds are generally well
catered for as geldings within the Riding Pony, Hunter Pony and Sport
Horse divisions. If Council directed that all Bronze Medal
shows should have a fifth specific class for junior geldings then
all Bronze medal shows could have Millcroft rosettes for free –
simple! Initially these classes might well be lightly filled but if
people know that they are available as a matter or course throughout the
UK it would encourage them to consider selecting a gelding to show in
deference to a colt or a filly rather than the current “hit and
miss” offer in a combined class with either the colts or the fillies
where history testifies that the gelding is at a disadvantage. The
second initiative along with the Rosette Scheme was The National
High Point Junior Gelding of the Year ;organised to enable
exhibited young geldings to gather points at their outings (to a limit
of fifteen shows), up to the age of three and secure “National”
recognition. For no entry fee rosettes and prize-money were given in
each Section and a trophy was donated by Mr and Mrs Guy Clardy from
America. The prize money was gathered from willing UK sponsors at the
time and it was felt that this might defer some of the costs of the
initial veterinary gelding operation. We
note that the prize money appears to have ceased. Is there a reason for
this? The prize giving for this takes place and indeed compliments the
Performance Awards that are also held annually. The 2007 did secure
great coverage on the Society’s website for 2007 which was
encouraging, more so that what appeared in the Green Journal of that
year. So
to re-cap what we are asking the current Council of the W.P.C.S. to
discuss and act upon; A)
In order to enhance the future for colt foals, therefore giving junior
geldings a greater chance of a performance future; will Council direct
that all Bronze Medal affiliated shows must offer a class for Geldings,
3 years old or under, on top of the stipulation of four classes per
medal section, therefore creating a network and incentive for
individuals to run on colt foals as geldings? B)
To create a “devoted” Gelding page on the Society website outlining
the possibility’s within our Society for geldings. Detailing: ·
How
to re-register from colts to geldings ·
The
Millcroft Rosette Scheme ·
The National High Point Gelding Awards This as well as highlight potential avenues for them
to achieve in later life – ie; The Performance Awards, The Royal Welsh
Silver Spoons in the ridden classes, Part-Bred Pony and Horse Groups,
ever mindful that the likelihood is that the new gelding owner may not
at present be a WPCS member or familiar with the workings of our Breed
Society. C)
Appreciate the Millcroft Rosettes are based upon a UK welfare issue and
as such should only be given to shows that are prepared to offer
junior gelding classes within Sections A, B, C and D, preferably within
the confines of the UK or otherwise by discussion with the sponsor, Mrs.
Maggie Carter. D)
Endeavour to re-instate
monetary sponsorship that was on offer for the National High Point
Award. In the adoption of these proposals we can
foresee no cost to the Society, only benefit. I thank you for your time in reading this
letter and we both hope you will seriously consider the proposals on
offer. We all owe it to the stock we breed to exploit every avenue that
will ensure each animal bred has the best possible chance in life. Many of you council members will have foals due in the spring – some of which will be colts. Please ask yourselves how you can help ensure a quality of life for those colts that like hundreds of other breeders colts that are not potential stallions. Yours sincerely, Maggie
Carter & Richard Miller oooOOOooo
Background to the Welsh Gelding Incentive Scheme for new Council Members
January 1st 2006 Some three years ago or more, when I was a Council
Member, a paper was addressed to council by Mrs Maggie Carter, Millcroft
Stud, regarding the welfare of foals in the sales. In this very thorough
paper Mrs Carter outlined the live trade in foals from the Welsh sales,
being exported via Ireland and abroad. Despite many charities,
auctioneers and breeders turning a blind eye to the matter it has since
been acknowledged that this was indeed happening and is now being
policed by the ILPH. Council took no course of action on the paper as
far as I recall. The next step
Rather than do nothing to try and alleviate the situation both Mrs Carter and I decided to offer some kind of incentive to individuals to purchase colt foals, or retain the ones that they had bred. The idea was to encourage them to show them and therefore have a saleable product at the end of its three-year-old year to go off and compete and fly the flag for the Welsh breeds. Following along the lines of enthusiasts in the United States and particularly Australia it was put to Council that all bronze medal shows should be required to stage a junior in hand gelding class for each Section, therefore creating a countrywide network of gelding classes that people knew they could show at and win rather than just a highest placed gelding rosette in a class dominated by colts or fillies. In doing so Council would have been encouraging the growth of potential performance animals, giving people greater options to geld second rate entire colts, encourage a whole new sector of the membership to show in-hand, whilst hopefully giving some hope to the market situation. Sadly the silent majority were overruled by the
loud voices and this initiative was thrown out – so what did we
do……? Millcroft Rosette Scheme Mrs Carter was prepared to sponsor the now sought after Millcroft rosettes. These are given free of charge to affiliated WPCS shows on the understanding that they stage a junior gelding class for each Section with an overall gelding championship from those four divisions that they can compete in, together with any highest placed gelding from any senior classes on offer. These have proved very popular. Many more shows have invested in the geldings, some adding money to an overall title. Distribution numbers should be available from the Office. They have been ordered by myself from Rheidol
Rosettes, paid for by Mrs Carter and distributed with the traditional
gold/green rosettes from the office. Mrs. Carter is prepared to continue
with these rosettes if the Society so wishes, if the office is prepared
to order and distribute them. National Junior Gelding of the Year. We have emphasized the junior gelding aspect of our breed in an attempt to give them some status until they are of an age to break and ride/drive on. We considered part-breds to be generally gelded and competing in Part-Bred, Riding Pony and Hunter Pony classes if the owner so wished. Continuing my successful concept of the “National” pure bred awards now so sought after at Shrewsbury, a points competition was arranged for junior led geldings to collect points at any show they were successful at culminating in the title of National Junior Led Gelding of the Year. I said I would give the competition three years to establish itself before returning back to the Society. The competition is free to enter with a maximum fifteen shows, geldings being at no more risk of over showing than fillies are now prior to a career. The printing, postage, rosettes etc have been paid for by myself; the winner is eligible for a training course with the Julie Templeton Show Team in Cheshire and most importantly in 2004 and 2005 we were offered some £400 in prize-money from fellow breeders and enthusiasts that goes to the top three placed animals in each section. A smart trophy for the supreme was donated by the Clarwood Stud in America. Results and pictures are available on www.Heniarth.com/geldings.htm I have twice asked this to be linked to the WPCS website but it hasn’t happened. I have sent out in the region of forty points cards last year with approximately twenty-five being returned. This has increased slowly in the last three years and the participants are very enthusiastic. I am now unable to continue running this scheme –
however three years on I would like to ask Council again – Question 1:
In order to enhance the future for colt foals, therefore giving junior
geldings a greater chance of a performance future; will Council direct
that all Bronze Medal affiliated shows must offer a class for
Geldings, 3 years old or under, on top of the stipulation of four
classes per medal section, therefore creating a network and incentive
for individuals to run on colt foals and geldings? Question 2: Will
Council continue to allow the Office to distribute the Millcroft
Rosettes, with the Office liaising directly with Mrs Carter with
regard to her sponsorship? Question 3: Will Council fund and operate the National Led Gelding of the Year Points competition which runs from March to October of each year? Just one final thought – despite the number being bred, the grants and the rare breed status, the Welsh Mountain Pony is still the only British Native Breed never to have won the National Pony Society/Baileys Ridden Mountain and Moorland Championship at Olympia, London, in it’s twenty seven year history. Perhaps it would help the breed and the Society’s status if they were to back an initiative to nurture our potential performance animals? Thank you for your time and consideration. Richard L. Miller,Heniarth,Ferryside,Carmarthenshire.SA17 5YW.
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