Hanlith Hall Horse Shows

Last year I went to a very enjoyable show at Hanlith Hall, near Skipton, which was one of a series of shows leading up to a Trophy show for the overall winners in September.  The series is running again this year, beginning on 10th April, and thereafter on 2nd Sunday in the month until the Trophy Show.  This was a really nice show in a lovely location.  Hanlith hall is steeped in history, and surrounded by extremely picturesque countryside.  Lots of keen competitors there and a really nice friendly atmosphere in a very well run show.  Classes are for Mountain and Moorland rather than specifically Shetland, but there was a good entry, and some really nice ponies there.  A strong class of black ponies, and an interesting display of coloured horses of all types.  There were no trade stands, but a little cafe run by the organisers to supplement your picnic.  Well worth a look, in a lovely part of the country.

Yorkshire Shetlands Spring Show

This year I will be attending the Yorkshire Shetland Pony Group spring show, at the livestock centre in Merton, York.  I am told this is a good show, in a good spacious location, with the added benefit of stables to hire for the day, where your pony can be left in safety and comfort while you enjoy the rest of the show.
As this is a specialist Shetland Show there should be a good attendance and the opportunity to see greater numbers of Shetlands than would be present at a local agricultural show.  There are classes for ridden, young handlers, veterans, and miniature ponies.  The centre features restaurant and bar facilities.  I am looking forward to this show as the first of the season and a chance to catch up with friends and competitors from last year.  If you would like contact details for the organisers, leave me a message.

Yorkshire Shetland Pony Group luncheon

On Sunday 20th February I attended the Yorkshire Shetland Pony Group luncheon at the Bridge Inn at Walshford, near Wetherby.  This was another very pleasant afternoon, where we all enjoyed the carvery lunch, and then were treated to a most enlightening and interesting talk on the voluntary Stallion evaluation scheme by Mr David Gibson.  Mr Gibson accompanied his full account of this scheme by some lovely photos of Shetland ponies taking part in the evaluation scheme in the Shetland Isles, where he had recently had the honour of being one of the three judges giving their opinion.  A lively question session followed his talk, and we all had ample opportunity to ask Mr Gibson about the ethos behind the scheme, and to air any concerns as to its' viability.  The luncheon meeting was once again a very pleasant opportunity to meet other Shetland pony enthusiasts in a social setting, and continue friendships formed over the summer showing season.

Willbeck Silver Mist 'Tony'

I can recommend this group as a great way to extend the Shetland pony showing experience.  The joining fee is very reasonable, and everyone is friendly and welcoming to new members.  If anyone is interested, send me a message and I will put you in touch with the organiser.  Likewise, schedules for their first show of the year will be out very soon.  Send me a message for the contact details.

A Diary of Shetland Pony Showing

For the last few year's I have competed my miniature Shetlands in a fairly casual manner in various pony shows and agricultural shows.  This year, prompted by the difficulty of actually finding any shows in my first two years, I have decided to do a 'Round the Show Circuit' blog, with personal views and reviews about the shows I attend during the year.  Hopefully, this will be of interest and use to the beginner at in-hand pony showing.  I must emphasise that the shows I will attend will be those suited to in-hand showing of Shetlands, or Mountain and Moorland, to widen the category, and of course, this is a very different thing to actual pony shows, where smartly dressed children compete with dazzling bravery over small jumps and the like.  No, we will restrict ourselves to trotting around the ring, pony in hand, enlivened occasionally by the odd burst of life when pony decides to simulate the gait of a bucking bronco.
So, to start with, a word of advice in preparation for this year's show calendar - Do Not Do Anything!  Your pony will almost certainly be too muddy.  Come back in a few weeks, and if the ground is firmer, perhaps you could begin to get your pony ready for the show ring by accustoming him to walk and trot on the head collar, and stand still when required.  In the case of my ponies, the difficulty is in encouraging the pony to trot without fear that he will set off at  a pace somewhat faster than my little legs can cope with.  For small beasties, they can really run!
The first show of the year that I will be attending is the Yorkshire Shetland Pony Club show, held at York on 3rd April 2011.  More of this later. Happy Showing.