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Mountain and Moorland Show News
by Gwendolen Rowe
 Colliery Alick, Dales Best of Breed, Supreme Champion M&M, and Reserve Best in Show. |
Labor Day weekend 2006 saw a landmark event for British native pony enthusiasts on the west coast. For the first time ever in California, Mountain and Moorland pony classes were offered at a show, giving owners and breeders the opportunity to exhibit their ponies in the traditional style of their homeland.
The term "Mountain and Moorland" refers to native pony breeds of the British Isles; Connemara, Dales, Dartmoor, Eriskay, Exmoor, Fell, Highland, Kerry Bog, New Forest, Shetland, and Welsh. These breeds are all unique, having ancient roots tracing back thousands of years in their home territories, yet also share many traits in common. The similarities in type and conformation between the breeds reflect the wild habitats in which they evolved. The rugged mountains and rough moorland environment of the British Isles molded these hardy ponies for eons, with little or no human influence or selective breeding until very recent times. Today few native ponies remain in a truly wild state, but many breeders still raise them in their traditional habitat, where they live out year round in the harsh conditions on the moors and mountainsides, keeping the breed type true to their wild ancestors.
Although several of the Mountain and Moorland breeds are now
quite
rare, and some even in danger of being lost entirely, the genetic
diversity
and invaluable equine heritage represented by these native breeds is
well
recognized in the Britain. The Rare Breeds Survival Trust is working to
insure that these unique pony breeds will survive in the UK, and
currently
their watch list includes Dales, Dartmoor, Eriskay, Exmoor, Fell,
Highland,
and section A Welsh.
 Laurelhighland Rose Petal, Fell Best of Breed and Reserve Champion M&M. Photo courtesy of Rene' Bender, Fell Legend Farm. |
At many shows throughout Britain mixed Mountain and Moorland breed classes are offered to allow the native pony breeds an opportunity to compete against their peers. Some of the lesser known breeds are rapidly gaining popularity due to this show exposure. Breeders in North America have long wished for a similar show venue, and with the increased interest in preserving these versatile pony breeds it seems the time is finally ripe for the expansion of Mountain and Moorland classes. All the Mountain and Moorland breeds except Eriskay are currently represented in the U.S, although several of the rarer breeds have just a handful of ponies on this continent to date.
The UK show format for native pony breeds differs considerably
from
a typical American style show. The in hand classes first show off the
ponies'
movement at the trot as handlers run with them clockwise around the
ring,
giving the judge an initial impression. The judge then examines each
animal's
conformation individually and assesses movement at the walk and trot.
Mountain
and Moorland judges must have a thorough knowledge of all the native
breeds
and their similarities and differences in order to compare the ponies
and
select the best examples, not only in relation to each other but to the
ideal standard for each separate breed. In many UK shows, native breeds
with an adequate number of entries submitted will form separately
judged
classes, while the breeds with fewer representatives will compete
against
each other in a mixed Mountain and Moorland class. The champions from
both
the mixed and individual Mountain and Moorland classes then return to
compete
against each other
for a supreme championship.
 Photo courtesy of Kathryn Rayner Freeman. |
In the ridden classes, the ponies walk, trot, and canter on the rail and are also asked for an individual show. The individual segment of the class is the real determination of placing, as the judge's full attention is focused on one animal at a time. There is no chance the judge will be looking the other way if horse and rider are performing poorly, as can happen when all the ponies are on the rail at the same time. The individual show often includes walk, trot, and canter but much is left up to the rider in terms of choosing a particular ridden pattern or concentrating on a particular gait that will show off their animal to best advantage. After the individual performances, saddles are removed and each pony is assessed for conformation before the judge's final decision is made.
The ridden class is judged quite differently from an American
style
pleasure class. Most judges prefer to see an animated pony moving with
impulsion. A little buck or other exuberance on the part of the pony
will
not necessarily lower the placing, if the overall performance reflects
good showmanship. In many ridden classes in the UK, rather than asking
each rider for an individual show, the judge personally rides each
horse
and a class is won or lost based not on how well a horse performs for
the
familiar rider, but for a judge who has never ridden the animal before.
Another interesting difference in the UK style ridden class is that a
true
gallop is called for, not the hand gallop that most American hunt seat
riders are familiar with. A fast and very dramatic gallop and an eye
catching
extended trot can win the class over a correct but dull working trot
and
hand gallop.
The Mountain and Moorland classes in California were a resounding success with a very strong turnout for a first time event. A total of 18 ponies entered representing the Connemara, Fell, Dales, Highland, and Shetland breeds. The judge was Mr. Simon Bigley, of the Llanarth stud in Wales, who is on both the Welsh breed judge and Mountain & Moorland judge panels in the UK. Connemara breeder Kathryn Rayner Freeman helped organize the event, which was hosted by the Welsh Pony and Cob Association of California at the Welsh Western Nationals show in Elk Grove, California. US owners were delighted with the opportunity to show under a knowledgeable UK judge. Where formerly no show venues existed, this event seems to have been a stepping stone to many similar events in the future.
 Thunderhead's Little Tex, Shetland Best of Breed. Photo courtesy of Ceci Graham-Widby. |
Already a repeat of this year's show is planned, along with several other shows confirming plans to add similar classes for next year. An even larger turnout with more breeds taking part is expected in the future. Many spectators at the show commented that they had never before had a chance to see these breeds in person, and how interesting the mixed Mountain and Moorland show format was to watch. The positive response to the September show was well noted, and numerous show organizers on the west coast have expressed interest in adding similar classes to their own events. This is proving to be a very exciting time for all the British native pony breeds here in the US, as general interest in the Mountain and Moorland breeds and show opportunities begin to expand and blossom.
Results from the Mountain and Moorland classes were as follows:
Mountain and Moorland, 2 years and under:
1.Laurelhighland Rose Petal, Fell
owned by Rene Bender, Fell Legend Farm, Lincoln, CA, handled by
Tomas Herrera
2.Braeberry Anne, Fell
owned by Rene Bender, Fell Legend Farm, Lincoln CA, handled by Jamie
Jo Porter
3.Laurelhighland Venus, Fell
owned and handled by Johanna Gilbert, Jagarts Emclave, Grass Valley,
CA
4.Stonecreek Spencer, Fell
owned by Elaine Dunson, Auburn CA, handled by Steve Benham
5.Stonecreek Majical, Fell
owned and handled by Elaine Dunson, Auburn, CA
Mountain and Moorland, 3 years and over:
1. Colliery Alick, Dales
owned by Kelly Davidson, Davidson Dales, Clayton CA, handled by
Adrienne Grasso
2. Bickerdike by Design, Dales
owned by Kelly Davidson, Davidson Dales, Clayton CA, handled by
Roger Cleverly
3.Glenormiston Ameila, Connemara
owned by Lisa & Max Gerdes, Redbud Ranch, Browns Valley, CA
handled by Max Gerdes
4.Circle H Highland Mist, Highland
owned and handled by Gwendolen Rowe, Lone Tree Farm, Boonville,
CA
5. Telynau Royal-Ascot, Welsh
6.Thunderhead's Little Tex, British Shetland
owned and handled by Ceci Grahm-Widby, Creature Comfort Farm,
Jackson
CA
Mountain and Moorland Supreme Champion: Colliery Alick, Dales
Reserve: Laurelhighland Rose Petal
Mountain and Moorland, Ridden
1.MGRM Brigadoon, Connemara
owned by Joan and Larry Ervin, MGRM Manor, San Martin, CA ridden
by Michelle Cihak
2.Bickerdike By Design, Dales
owned by Kelly Davidson, Davidson Dales, Clayton CA, ridden by Roger
Cleverly
3. Circle H Higland Mist, Highland
owned and ridden by Gwendolen Rowe, Lone Tree Farm, Boonville, CA
4.Telynau Royal-Ascot, Welsh
5. HK Eagle, Connemara
Owned by Featherstone Connemaras, Wilton, CA, ridden by Robyn Ong
6.Colliery Alick, Dales
owned by Kelly Davidson, Davidson Dales, Clayton CA, ridden by
Adrienne
Grasso
The M&M ridden champion went on to compete against the Welsh ridden champions for the Overall Ridden championship.
Ridden Champion: Goldhills Hanky Panky, Welsh
owned by Gerald and Jackie Verkuyl, Goldhills Welsh
Ridden Championship Reserve: MGRM Brigadoon, Connemara
owned by Joan and Larry Ervine, MGRM Manor, San martin, CA ridden
by Michelle Cihak
The M&M in hand champion went on to compete against the Welsh in hand champions for the Best in Show.
Best in Show: Gayfields Call the Cops, Welsh
owned by Gerald and Jackie Verkuyl, Goldhills Welsh
Reserve Best in Show: Colliery Alick, Dales
owned by Kelly Davidson, Davidson Dales, Clayton CA, handled by
Adrienne Grasso
Best of Breed Awards:
Best of Breed, Connemara: Glenormiston Ameila
Reserve: HK Eagle
Best of Breed, Dales: Colliery Alick
Reserve: Bickerdike By Design
Best of Breed, Fell: Laurelhighland Rose Petal
Reserve: Stonecreek Spencer
Best of Breed Highland: Circle H Highland Mist
Reserve: Ceol Beag Lismore
Best of Breed Shetland: Thunderhead's Little Tex
SHPSNA is sponsoring the Mountain & Moorland youngstock class at the West Coast Welsh Show, April 29 and 30 in Roseburg Orgeon. Wendy Rowe of Lone Tree Farm is sponsoring the Mountain & Moorland 3 and over class and donating a prize for the Ridden Champion. Click here for Wendy's news from the show.April 29 and 30 Jill Mueller's Highland ponies will be greeting the public at the Woodland Highland Games near Sacramento California.
Western states Highland pony breeders Jill Mueller and Wendy Rowe joined forces for a breed exhibition at the Nevada County Fair in Grass Valley, California August 12-14. Getting 2 breeders of Highland ponies in one location was no small feat considering the distances involved. Jill of Moonshine Glen Highland ponies in Washoe Valley, Nevada traveled 3 hours with her 2 mares and yearling colt to get to the fair. Wendy Rowe of Lone Tree Farm in Boonville, California traveled 7 hours with her 2 mares. The crowds of fairgoers enjoyed daily exhibitions of Highland ponies in the arena, and hundreds of people visited the barns to meet the ponies in person.
Jill Mueller prepares to ride Heidi of Whitefield
in the exhibition.
Jill displays Heidi under saddle to the
accompaniment of traditional Scottish
bagpipe tunes played by Wendy.Jill's yearling colt Captain Moonlight of Moonshine Glen was much admired by the spectators. 
Wendy's mare Shuna listens attentively
to the strains of "The Flower of Scotland"
during the exhibition.
Jill with her two mares Heidi and Bridget.
The Highland pony stables were decorated with
tartan and posters with information about the
breed. Jill and Wendy spent each afternoon
answering questions and talking with the scores
of interested people who had never heard of
Highland ponies before. The Highland pony
T-shirts were very popular and we expect to
see lots of new enthusiasts wearing them!
Jill Mueller's Highland ponies will make a public appearance at the Nevada County Fair August 13 and 14. She has scheduled a showing of them at 4 PM Friday and 12 noon Saturday. If you are in the area, plan to come meet Jill and her ponies Heidi of Whitefield and Captain Moonlight of Moonshineglen in person!
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Scottish Highland Pony Society of North America
