at The Barastoc Horse of the Year Show 2008

Open Mountain & Moorland Classes are open to all ponies of provable breeding of one of the nine breeds of the British Isles (Welsh, Connemara, Shetland, Fell, Dale, Highland, New Forest, Dartmoor, Exmoor)

Now in its third year, the show is run by the NFPAA formed to promote New Forest and other Mountain & Moorland pure and partbred ponies. The concept is based on the National Pony Society’s M&M Classes in the UK.

The show carried over $3000 in prize money, as well as a nomination of frozen semen from West Kingston Stud, imported and stored by Gene Movers.

We were delighted to have UK judges Mrs M. C. Nimmo, Mr A.W. Morland & Mrs C. A. Morland to judge the show.

Saturday consisted of in-hand classes for M&M, and extra classes for all Welsh sections, New Forest, Partbred Welsh, Partbred New Forest, and Partbred M&M’s. Ridden classes were held on Sunday and included the M&M Working Hunter classes.

Judges were delighted with the quality and standard of entries and commented that many ponies in the line-ups were on a par with those judged at home and also commented on the high standard of riding, excellent manners of the young riders. Final positions in the led line-ups were dependent on the quality of the pony but also on its behaviour during its workout. Judges commented that practice at home really pays off on the big day.

The Leanne Burnett Award is a perpetual award presented by the Burnett family in memory of Leanne Burnett who died in a car accident shortly after winning the Supreme Mountain and Moorland championship with her superb Dartmoor gelding  Shelanda Bogan. Leanne was a dedicated supporter of riding for children and this award is contested by all Junior Ridden champions and reserve champions in our Mountain & Moorland Show.

Reserve Supreme was introduced this year. All Champions & Reserve Champions are eligible for relevant Supreme & Reserve Supreme Championships. This change was introduced at the suggestion of last year’s judges and feedback this year is very positive from competitors and will continue for our future shows

The NFPAA would like to take this opportunity to thank the sponsors without whom the event could not have succeeded: EFA Barastoc Show Committee, West Kingston Stud & Stallion Center, Gene Movers Pty Ltd, Ballinton Dene Stud, Bindoon Tractors WA, NFPB&CS UK, Arnwood Pony Stud Pty Ltd, Elcarim Farm, Foxcote Performance Ponies, Jinrohan Performance Ponies, The Native Pony Magazine, WP&CSOA, River Valley Stud and Ashgill Stud.

Special thanks to the judges, the stewards Kay Emond and her sister Ray, Wendy Orchard, Caroline and Rod Lintott, Cheryl and Lachie Ellis, the many essential helpers, competitors and their ponies who braved the heat and made the two days a memorable and enjoyable event which was delightful to see.

Congratulations to all the competitors. We appreciate the difficulties you’ve all faced with the EI outbreak.  This could not have come at a worse time, especially following last year’s drought & bushfires.

Despite all these difficulties it was wonderful to see so many beautifully prepared, well behaved ponies and enthusiastic, happy competitors.

Jaccy Kennedy NFPAA Vice President