merchandise

By Marlene Schroder

From 1946 and during the 1950's there were three studs importing and breeding welsh ponies and they are looked upon as the foundation of the breed and the society in New Zealand. Miss Nichols Kuriheka Stud, Mrs Deans Chawton Stud in Canterbury and the Elliott's Punga stud at Wanganui brought in some very good stallions and mares from the U.K. forming the basis of bloodlines that today's breeders still have the advantage of. The people involved with those studs worked together and used each others stock for the betterment of the breed. The imported ponies were registered in the U.K. and the breeders knew how important it was to keep a register for future generations.

In 1965 the inaugural meeting was held at Timaru when Llewellyn Richards of the Criban Stud in Wales was visiting his nephew David Coxhead 'Crick', who had recently imported several mares and a stallion. With his guidance the gathered breeders and enthusiasts were able to model the NZ Society on the parent body in Wales and with David as Secretary the Society was duly accepted by the Registrar of Incorporated Societies in Christchurch on 16th May 1966. Miss Nicholls was the first President followed by Mrs Deans, followed by Miss Robin Elliott, followed by Mrs Collier, followed by Mr Mal Jenkins, these five breeders first registered their stock with the Pony Breeders Soc in the 1957 Stud Book. The first Stud Book of the NZ Welsh Pony & Cob Soc was printed in 1969 consisting of Section A and part bred ponies.

The cobs appeared in the second Stud Book printed in 1974. Colleen Boston 'Glynmawr' was the President and Priscilla Neill, who was a great enthusiast and promoter for the Cobs, was the Publicity Officer. The volume is dedicated to Knighton Bellboy (imp). The first recorded Welsh Cob to come to this Country was the stallion Grove Welsh Dragon in 1925 with two mares Hawthorn Lille and Noyadd Wllyn Gwen followed in 1939 by the stallion Lloyd George. The Sec B ponies also appeared in the second Stud Book with Sec C making their first appearance in Volume three. Printed in 1978 this Volume is dedicated to Hewid Daffyd the Section D Stallion who along with Broughton Gay Girl and Woodlin Beau Brummel were bequeathed to the Society by Mr W.R. Hawker. Jean Smith "Kohinor" was President and Bert Moore "Evermore" was Registrations officer, this volume contains the photos and details of some of the beautiful ponies that were imported during the 1970s.

Volume four is dedicated to Miss Nichols. Mr Robin Bruce was President and Mrs Dorothy Barker was Registrations Officer. It was printed in 1981 and shows a substantial increase in registrations and a very healthy Society. In 1985 Volume five of the Stud Book was printed and dedicated to Mrs L Elliott. Mrs Robin Collier was President and Mrs Dorothy Barker the Registration Officer. David Coxhead wrote the forward for Volume six when it was printed in 1992 and recalls the early days of his involvement and comments on the 25th Anniversary Annual General Meeting celebrated in Timaru in 1990. Brian Barker 'Nanteos' was President and Dorothy was still Registrations Officer. Lynne Cox 'Willusk' was the President when Volume Seven was printed in 1997 it was dedicated to Priscilla Neill. Once again there was a healthy increase in the ponies registered and the volume contains colored photos for the first time.  All ponies registered here can trace their breeding back to the ponies in Wales thanks to the foresight of the foundation members and the dedication of registration officers since who have jealously guarded the purity and sincerity of the register.

Any enquiries to do with registration can be made to:

Mrs Sheryl Collins

229 Flag Swamp Road

R D 2

Waikouaiti

Otago

Ph: 03 465 8255

Fax:03 465 8256

sheryl.collins@asbic.co.nz

All other enquiries can be made to:

The Secretary

Mrs Marlene Schroder

"Maffodale", Koromiko

R D 3

Blenheim

Ph/Fax: 03 573-5173

maffodalestud@xtra.co.nz

The Society is managed by a Council led by a President with two vice Presidents, one from the North and one from the South Island, a Registration Officer, a Publicity Officer and two Public Relations Officers one for the North Island and one for the South Island. They are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting held in June in different parts of the Country usually alternating between Islands. There are nine Councillors elected on a three-year rotational basis. Council appoints the Patron and the Secretary. Also elected at an AGM but do not serve on Council is the Newsletter Editor, The Performance Competition Convener, three Sire Rating Conveners and a Convener for the In-Hand Competition. Council members from the South Island meet twice a year in Canterbury and members from the North meet two weeks after the South in Cambridge, with many Councillors travelling long distances to attend. Full Council meetings are held the night before the AGM and the afternoon after. Business consists mainly of issues relating to registrations and the rules or other concerns bought to the attention of Council by members plus the usual discussions to do with the running of a Society.

The inaugural Presentation of the Priscilla Neill trophy was made in 1997 to the Sec A Mare Nattai Bluebell (imp). The beautiful bronze sculpture of a Welsh Pony mounted on a wooden block was commissioned by Priscilla Neill and given to Council to decide how to use it. Council chose to award it to a person or pony considered to have made an outstanding contribution to the breed and or the Society. Members are invited to nominate a worthy recipient and Council vote on nominations at the full Council meeting prior to the AGM.

The Society also runs a Performance Competition with some very nice trophies and a bronze medal being at stake. Points are collated from registered ponies being ridden or driven.

Competition enquiries to The Convenor:

Mrs Jenny Brown

106 Thompsons Rd.

R D 5

Christchurch

Phone 03 347 6890

park.hill@xtra.co.nz