The Wessex Shetland pony Group Spring show, the first group show of 2011 was held at the Kingfisher Equestrian centre Nr Castle Cary on Sunday 20th March.  Blessed with sunny weather, it was good to see so many exhibits for our judges to cast their eyes over. Mrs F Hammond of Cornwall judged the standard ponies whilst Mrs G Cowell of Stafford judged the miniature ponies. It was very noticeable that exhibitors had worked hard on their ponies, white was white, and all coats were bright and shiny. It was good to see new members in both of the rings.  Our congratulations to all of the class winners and Championship winners – well done.

Our second show, the Wessex Early Summer Show took place on Sunday 12th June 2011 must have been held on the wettest day of the 2011 summer. It rained and rained for most of the day; both exhibitors and judges were dressed in wet weather gear with their wellies squelching as they walked around the rings, the poor ponies drenched. What a day!
Our two judges ended up wringing out their clothes and draining out their foot wear, Mrs S Seward in the Standard pony ring and Mrs C Seipp in the Miniature pony ring both had enormous class sizes regardless of the weather conditions, we were amazed at the determination of the exhibitors to defy the conditions. Sadly, the weather kept spectators away, and prevented photos on the day. Julian Walters and David Hodge were the winners of the Supreme and Reserve Supreme Championships.

Championships

Miniature Junior Champion – Shawdene Chinani
Reserve Miniature Junior Champion – Wotknotts Buccaneer
    
Miniature Senior Champion – Halstock X-Factor
Miniature Reserve Senior Champion – Snelsmore Isac

Miniature overall Champion – Halstock X-Factor
Reserve overall Champion – Shawdene Chinani

Standard Junior Champion – Champlers Victoria
Reserve Standard Junior Champion – Sharptor Silver Skylark

Standard Senior Champion – Schivas Kerry
Standard Reserve Senior Champion – Champlers Vienna

Standard overall Champion – Schivas Kerry
Reserve overall Champion –  Champlers Victoria

Ridden Champion – Halstock Selina

Supreme Champion – Schivas Kerry
Reserve Supreme Champion – Halstock X-Factor

Our third show of the year was at Wincanton racecourse on Sunday 21th August 2011. The WSPG main summer show was another success all thanks to our members and competitors..... and the weather!

Frank, Jenny and I would like to take this opportunity of thanking everyone who came to the show and congratulations to everyone whether winners or not for making it an enjoyable day even though it is busy and hard work for us all.

Our judges, Mr D Kaye in the miniature pony ring and Mrs R Davenport in the standard pony ring had some lovely classes before them, and good to see a few more in the ridden classes, but still not enough. Come on children get those adults and parents thinking about ridden as well as the in-hand classes and spread the word to your friends, tell them what fun they are missing by not joining the ridden classes.

After much judging and with another busy day drawing to a close, the judges chose the miniature ring champion, Snelsmore Jasper as their Supreme and the standard ring champion Lovaton Waterlilly as their Reserve Supreme. Mrs Percy collected a very nice embroidered fleece jacket for taking the Supreme Championship (although Cliff was seen wandering off with it on!) which was kindly sponsored by Sally and David of the Equine Clothing Company.

Championships Miniature Junior Champion – Shawdene Bouleux Bon Bon Reserve Miniature Junior Champion – Eiger Libby      Miniature Senior Champion – Snelsmore Jasper Miniature Reserve Senior Champion – Jay of Jopa Miniature overall Champion – Snelsmore Jasper Reserve overall Champion –  Shawdene Bouleux Bon Bon Standard Junior Champion – Champlers Victoria Reserve Standard Junior Champion – Champlers Sasha Standard Senior Champion – Lovaton Waterlilly Standard Reserve Senior Champion – Champlers Vesta Standard overall Champion – Lovaton Waterlilly Reserve overall Champion –  Champlers Victoria Ridden Champion – Cormoran Cousin Jack Reserve Ridden Champion - Stepley Ocean Supreme Champion – Snelsmore Jasper Reserve Supreme Champion – Lovaton Waterlilly	Ridden Champion Cormoran Cousin Jack with Beccy Chapman
Winner of 3 year old class & Junior Champion Shawdene Bouloux Bonbon	Winner of 2 year old class & Reserve Junior Champion – Eiger Libby
Reserve Supreme – Lovaton Waterlilly	Supreme Champion – Snelsmore Jasper

 The Wessex Group Autumn Show on 30th October 2011 was our final one for the year, held at the Kingston Maurward College Equestrian centre at Dorchester.

This show brought out the years foal’s for their first taste of showing, giving them all a taste of ring experience. They all behaved themselves well although having a bit more practise to do before the 2012 showing season starts!

Our judges, Mrs A Sargeant in the miniature ring and Mrs J Jones in the standard ring had plenty to cast their eyes over even though it was late in the showing calendar. Mrs Woodley’s Threapwood Vela II took the Supreme Championship with the miniature Champion, Buxted Jemima standing in the Reserve spot.

The end of another busy show year