‘Keep in mind of cheeky gives when purchasing ponies’

Main pony manufacturer, teacher and pass judgement on, Julie Templeton, stocks her issues about the way forward for British Driving Pony breeding

I used to be very happy to notice that previous to this yr’s Horse of the Yr Display (HOYS) ultimate, the organisers introduced that the intermediate display using kind layout utilized in 2023 would now not be proceeding subsequent yr.

This yr, huge and small display using kind qualifiers have been judged one at a time, however most effective the combo who was once phase champion certified for HOYS, while in earlier years there have been separate qualifiers for each and every peak. I’m certain many are proud of the verdict to switch, as I do know this yr’s layout did deter many of us from short of to compete within the phase.

It’s very sure that HOYS listened to competitor comments and with a bit of luck they’ll proceed to take action when making choices.

Now will be the absolute best window of alternative to reasonably regulate the display using kind classifications. As a substitute of getting categories for small and big varieties, I consider it could be really useful to have categories for hack and using horse varieties, added to the present display hunter elegance. Optimistically, this may inspire numbers again into the categories and possibly make competition much more likely to undertaking into horse categories of the similar kind.

A metamorphosis of tempo

I had an excessively other HOYS enjoy this yr as we had much less involvement behind the curtain than standard. I totally loved being a spectator and beloved with the ability to watch the categories and not using a rigidity or expectancies. HOYS is one of these social tournament and it was once nice to meet up with horsey pals and chat and not using a time constraints, one thing I’ve by no means been in a position to do sooner than.

Yearly, I all the time make some degree of looking at the in-hand horse and pony championships, which might be a gorgeous show off of the easiest of world-renowned British breeding. Within the pony phase, I had connections with the Welsh phase D stallion (Gwynfaes Seren Wledig) who gained the category. Alternatively, my impartial opinion was once that he was once completely exceptional at the day and punctiliously deserved his win.

Alternatively, it was once a pity to peer that there have been most effective two plaited ponies via to this ultimate. Sadly, it’s reflective of the present state of British Driving Pony breeding. Previous to HOYS, a WhatsApp crew was once arrange involving numerous other people from appearing to supply concepts as to how the breeding of British Driving Ponies may also be inspired and promoted.

As a breeder, I know the way pricey it’s getting a pony to the ridden degree with such a lot of components figuring out whether or not or now not they may be able to be successful within the display ring. Peak, temperament, conformation, motion and well being all come into play.

With out pondering an excessive amount of out of doors the field, a just right place to begin can be to offer protection to the breeders we lately have by way of paying them a good worth for the effort and time they have got put into breeding those animals. So, if within the coming months you’re out buying groceries to your subsequent teenager, please undergo this in thoughts when you’re about to make a “cheeky be offering”. The breeders want coverage or we gained’t have a British Driving Pony to have fun over at some point.

● Are you a British Driving Pony breeder who feels underappreciated? Write to us and tell us at [email protected], together with your identify, nearest the town and county, for the danger to have your perspectives printed in a long term version of Horse & Hound mag

• This unique column may also be to be had to learn in Horse & Hound mag, on sale Thursday 19 October, 2023

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