WHO ARE
WE?
Showland Native Society was born out of a project started some
months ago. In the autumn of 2006, a showing venture was begun which was
only intended to be an online forum developing into a comprehensive native
showing website incorporating an up to date results and review service, our
ultimate aim then to evolve into an online magazine.
However, whilst conducting our research and then getting to know over
300 showing enthusiasts (many of them native exhibitors) through our forum a
distinct gap was identified within the showing world. This being a
society totally dedicated to our British native pony breeds.
We discovered that many of those involved in showing & breeding
native ponies felt extremely unhappy with the showing choices they had and
often felt let down and deflated by the quantity and quality of what was on
offer.
At all different levels of competition many people vented their
frustration and their longing for a better deal across Britain’s show
rings.
OBJECTS & ACTIVITIES
The Objects
The Charity's objects (the Objects) are as follows;
i) To provide a platform to showcase the best of our beautiful British
native pony breeds.
ii) To Promote British native breeds throughout all equestrian spheres.
iii) Introduce new people into the native pony showing world, including
the encouragement of the younger generation.
iv) Promote equal opportunities to all those involved in native pony
showing at all levels.
v) Promote knowledgeable & fair judging throughout all showing levels
including amateurs & professionals alike.
vi) To promote the breeding, production & showing of British Native
ponies to a high standard.
The Activities
The Charity's activities (the activities) are as follows;
vii) To support object i) through the providing of an yearly elite
championship show working together with existing showing, agricultural
& breed societies that will provide qualifying rounds for our evening
performance championship classes. Please see related article entitled
‘Showland Native Society – Showing Structure & Schemes’
viii) To support object ii) through the working together with other
existing equestrian societies i.e. the BSJA & BHS to promote British native
ponies throughout all equestrian disciplines by providing affiliated schemes
& points awards alongside a performance section of our elite championship
show. Please see related article entitled ‘Showland Native Society –
Promoting British breeds throughout the equestrian world’.
ix) To support object iii) through the canvassing & approaching of
local riding schools, local press & riding clubs to promote to versatility
of our British native pony breeds. We are encouraging local youngsters by
involving them in the running of our elite championship show. We are also
aiming to introduce a new scheme to open up avenues for non pony owners to
become show riders; we hope to have this up and running by 2008/09.
Please see related article ‘Showland Native Society – M&M Show rider’s
scheme & scholarship’.
x) To support object iv) by keeping membership & entry fees as low as
possible, providing & promoting non-bias judging & providing avenues
into the native pony showing world as well as providing high level competition,
prestigious qualifiers & something for all levels to aim for.
xi) To support object v) by accessing all judges before allowing them to
judge at our shows and laying down strict guidelines. We will also
provide training days for local level judges to ensure the gain a deeper
understanding & greater knowledge into our British breed types.
xii) To support object vi) by staging clinics, stud visits & training
days. By carrying out all of the noted activities we should in turn
achieve a better standard across the board.
WHY HAVE WE FORMED FOR?
Coming from a Welsh breeds background we have been lucky at
opportunities that exist for our own native breed. However, it was made clear
to us by people and by looking around us that we were in a somewhat privileged
position compared to other native breeds. Whilst we obviously will
continue to promote our ‘Welsh’ breeds we wanted to introduce a level playing
field across the board which promotes and exalts all our beautiful British
breeds.
WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
We endeavour to take the most positive aspects from all of the existing
showing formats and add a little bit of something special in an effort to
create the ultimate showing experience.
We aim to be a society where the opinion of every member carries equal
weight whether they be a breeder, a producer a single pony owner or a non
showing enthusiast every voice will be of equal merit, truly a society formed
for the native pony enthusiast by native pony enthusiasts.
We intend to work hand in hand in partnership with all the individual
breed societies, in and effort to be an assessable voice to all our native pony
breeds.
We intend also to be a lobby to try and ensure a better deal for all
native pony enthusiasts whether this be at local entry level classes, by
providing support & training for local level judges to try and end the
frustration of competitors who complain of the lack of knowledgeable &
consistent judging. A common complaint is that a judge could not tell one
native breed from another, leading to a loss of confidence amongst competitors
and dampening of enthusiasm for showing. We believe competitors need to
be encouraged into the native showing world and not be put off by such
situations. We therefore hope to produce a list of ‘approved’ native pony
judges at local level. We aim to achieve this by providing free training
days where any local level judge can come and gain vast knowledge from existing
knowledgeable and experienced judges and hopefully receive a certificate of
approval, this should also in turn encourage more judges onto the higher level
breed and showing panels.
We also endeavour to encourage our county shows to extend their range of
classes and try and end the scheduling of often well supported M&M classes
being held at unsociable hours and/or the feeling that our classes are almost
an afterthought and being tucked away in a corner often surrounded by
JCBs, fairgrounds & helicopter rides. These circumstances often
detract from the pride of competing and winning at county level competition.
Breed shows whilst providing an invaluable showcase for their individual
breeds can be limited in their options as we have found that many individuals
and indeed families often own, breed or ride native ponies across the spectrum
of our breeds and therefore breed shows limit their opportunities and choice of
pony to compete. We aim to promote and hold classes from Shetlands to
Welsh Cobs. Breed shows by their very definition lack the prestigious
overall M&M championships.
Finally, there are the existing showing society shows. With their
extravagant rosettes and prestigious qualifiers these are often the ultimate
aim for most native pony competitors. However, we have heard of much
discontentment amongst native showing enthusiasts who felt their sport has been
downsized to make room for the ‘plaited’ classes. Many felt they are
simply not getting value for money spent on entry & membership fees any
more. This seems an incongruous situation at a time when interest and
ownership of our native breeds is increasing. M&M classes across the
board often being amongst the biggest & best supported entries. Against
this background it seemed odd & indeed wrong that no single showing society
was in place to look & promote our British breeds best interests, hence our
decision to try and full this unique niche.
WHAT DO WE STAND FOR?
Our integral aim is to promote our
native breeds across the show rings of Britain by support and partnership
with existing organisations but also to provide our own and unique ultimate
experience in native pony showing. We will endeavor to provide a service
and are dedicated into pleasing and appreciating each & every competitor
and member no matter what level of experience & level of the
individual. We aim to be a flexible, approachable & above all a fair
society where all opinions are listened to where no member is afraid to speak
their mind. We aim to deliver the best and most enjoyable shows for all
members, provide the best support and above all the best in customer relations.
We are dedicated to the promotion of all British M&M ponies equally
throughout the showing world and hope we can contribute towards the growing
popularity of our native breeds as a whole.
We are determined to disperse with any rumors of corruption which have
riddled the showing world in recent years and are determined to ensure that
every competitor is judges fairly and on equal footing, with no hidden agenda.
We believe only by this fair and transparent judging can we ensure that
we build upon our already well supported classes and in turn continue to
improve standards within the show rings and reward only the best of our
beautiful breeds.
In short we will ensure every competitor enters the ring feeling they have the
opportunity and prospect of winning. We cannot promise you will win but
you will be given an equal opportunity. With this in mind we will present
the ultimate showcase for our beautiful British native breeds.
HOW DO WE PLAN TO INTERACT WITH EXISTING SOCIETIES?
We hope to form the basis of our qualifiers at breed shows which should
hope to boost class sizes for us both. We will pay for each of our breed
representatives to become members of their nominated breed’s society and send
these representatives along to all AGMs as a go between amongst all societies
to build up support & good relationships.
As we become more financially stable we also endeavor to provide
sponsorship for breed society shows, and provide advertising through our
website & publications.
We will also invite a member of each society (a non Showland member) to
attend our own AGMs to provide another go between for societies.
We would also like members of the breed society councils to attend our
elite show and perhaps present championship prizes.
5 YEAR ACTION PLAN
We have many plans over the next few years but also welcome any suggestions and
appreciate your feedback.
Our first aim is our Elite championship show in September. We
endeavor to put on not only a smoothly and well run show but a truly
spectacular experience with a great atmosphere and great judging guaranteed to
keep you coming back for more.
Although we have arranged a comprehensive spread of classes we
understand that there are a lot more improvements that could be made to
the schedule. Therefore, owing to the success of our inaugural show we
hope to next year bring you a two day show as well as a spring Youngstock &
ridden show.
We hope to build in our success and continue in our expansion and by the
end of the 5 years have up to 4 shows per year.
We will also be providing you with full support in the form of training
days and conferences to aid in the welfare and production of all Native ponies.
We also aim to launch our M&M show riders scheme, which will
hopefully open up avenues for youngsters and non pony owners and provide a foot
in the door for many talented & enthusiastic individuals. We will be
providing up to 10 scholarships and provide training and experience during a
one year course will hopefully lead to a ‘career’ within the show ring.
We feel this will also be of benefit to the many amateur & professionals
out there that struggle to find small competent jockeys to show their animals
at a high level.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
If you like the sound of this project and would love to get involved,
there are many ways in which you can contribute both big & small.
Join the Committee
We have taken a new approach to the formation of a society in that there
are 3 founder members & trustees. We hope to form a comprehensive
show committee over the next year or so with a representative for each
breed. We felt it was important that each breed had its very own voice
and felt very strongly about not forming a full committee purely with our
friends, particularly as we move mainly in Welsh circles. If you are
interested in joining us on this venture and are prepared to put in your hard
work and dedication please contact us to discuss further.
Membership
If you would like to receive membership applications please contact us
by e-mail or phone or send a SAE to the address provided. We endeavor to keep
our membership prices at a minimum and our pledge to you is that they will
remain the same for at least the next 5 years.
Volunteering
We have roles suitable for all levels of experience and are looking to
fill the following positions; Stewards: Previous experience in stewarding is
essential along with a sunny disposition and the ability to keep a smile on
your face when faced with difficult situations.
Runners: We have several opportunities within this vital role which duties can
include; organising rosettes, directing & advising competitors, selling
catalogues and dealing with our judge’s hospitality. No experience is
necessary for these roles but a friendly outgoing nature is required and the
ability to put a smile on competitors faces! In return for your help &
support we offer a free lunch & refreshments throughout the day, a pass
into the VIP area during our prestigious evening performance but most of all a
sense of achievement that YOU have helped towards the promotion of our
beautiful British native ponies.
Sponsorship
We are currently seeking sponsorship for our elite summer Championship
show and have opportunities to suit all budgets both large and small, if you
would like any further information on this aspect or could offer any further
help in terms of advertising.
Set up an offshoot branch
We are looking to hopefully expand within the next 10 years and set up
branches within the following areas;
* South West * Scotland * Northern Ireland * Wales *The North *The south
Our main branch will continue to be situated within the midlands
area. If you are interested in doing this you will need a minimum
committee of a chairman, a secretary & a treasurer. Please contact us
directly if you are serious about setting up an offshoot branch.
Your Feedback
Your feedback during this project is vital, we will do our best to meet
everybody’s needs and promise to take any enquiry or piece of advice seriously
and hope we can always work together not against each other.
This
is only a snapshot of what we hope to achieve over the next few years, and have
many more ideas to work through. If you would like to become involved
please don’t hesitate to get touch as we would be most happy to hear from you.