New Page 1

"Northerners" at the breed show enjoying the show without our ponies(they were there as well) Representtives from Butterby,Coltonford
Parlington and Stonecellars enjoying the Northern Hospitality Sadly after Shetland Claife and others fell by the wayside

Lovaton Waterlilly 2nd broodmare class and Lovaton Shadow 3rd in the foal class. Jane smith showing the foal. We had a fab time and it was great to see and chat to everyone at the show. It took us a few days to recover and come back down to earth.

Regards Andrea

Dear Mrs De La Warr, Thank you for an interesting Show in Hickstead! There were so many lovely ponies. I would like to thank you for your B&B-list, too. My husband, my daughter and I spent a marvelLous time at Four acres by Mrs Rushton. We really liked her breakfasts, the house was very nice situated and everything was very clean. We can warmly recommend Four acres to all. Our best wishes to all of you. Paula Vainio Finland

I just wanted to share this photo with you after our fabulous weekend competing at the International Shetland Show at Hickstead.

We had the most wonderful time competing in the Driving Classes at Hickstead and I was over the moon to be placed First in the Novice Class and Second in the Exercise Vehicle Class. We also competed in the fancy dress Class as Sam the Pit Pony with myself and our fellow grooms as miners.

Sam (Easton Hill Mandarin) is the 25 year old (yes 25) grey Standard Shetland who I am competing with in my first year of driving and we are having an amazing time, being placed at Windsor BDS Show and coming reserve champion at Cadnam BDS show as well and being placed at many other shows. I just wanted to share this with you as I thought the photo which my Husband took of us as miners was just lovely, (yes, and so did I! GH) and I have also included a photo of us in the Novice Class. Best wishes, Hannah

Hello Mrs Lambert,
Thank you so much, I don´t know what to say its great!!!
Yes we enjoyed the Show! Lovely people everywhere, lovely judges specially at the driven classes, lovely weather - everything ok. Very nice B&B at Burges Hill! Very interesting Trip to brighton on friday! It´s a pity, that all this finished after two days and we have to go back. But we hope to see someone again in the netherlands 2012.
Thank you very much
Henrik

Dear all

Here is a little regard from Denmark.
We were at the International show in Hickstead - and what a place! It was really a lovely place, and everything was perfect, - with the stables and the camping etc.
We brought 2 black ponies - an older black stallion and a mare with foal, so Saturday was the day where we looked around in the three rings, and that was just great. First of all was the quality of the ponies very high, and we believe that the judges did a fantastic job.
We were also went to the dinner Saturday evening - it was nice to see so many people attended the dinner, and it was even nicer to hear people talked passionately about this little pony, who we all love so much. It was a fantastic evening with a good atmosphere.
Thank you for a fantastic show, and thanks for all the beautiful rosettes.

Well done!

Love the Vihrs family from Denmark

www.stud-vihrsgaarden.dk

Beste Rebel

Beste Pyana

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of the Committee, and not forgetting all the extra helpers, for all the hard work they put in to make this show a wonderful event, the dinner in the evening was very enjoyable and so nice to see so many shetland people together. Congratulations to you all."

A. P.

All European reports will have white background for easy identification. GH
All the way from The Netherlands, we came to Hickstead for the international show. We count our 21st breed show, and we – again – had very wonderful days!

It was so good to be back. It was beautiful. Because of the show itself, because of the beautiful ponies, and also to meet acquaintances acquaintances from England and also pony friends from various European countries.

The organisation of the show was fantastic, well organized, everything was perfect. We had a very nice and enjoyable Saturday evening. Thanks for that.

We enjoyed seeing the high level of standard of the Shetland ponies. Especially the class of the black mares where we saw a large amount of very beautiful breed typical stallion. This also applies to the stallion class, we were very surprised. Also in the miniatures classes we have seen some good ponies. Compliments for all of you! A little note from just a visitor, do not lose attention for movement.

Also compliments for the work of the judges, they did a difficult job, and they did it very well.

We want to congratulate Mr Hodge with his overall championship. A beautiful piebald stallion with a lot of presence. If we remember well, we recognised this stallion from the Millennium Show at the Shetland Islands 10 years ago. Also congratulations for the Nicholson family for their successful day, with their beautiful stallion and his daughter (mare) of the stallion.

We saw a lot of friends from England and also from Sweden, Denmark, Norway, etc. Some we met a very long time ago. For example Mr and Mrs O’Brien, nice we met again and talked about our memories from 40 years ago! To see everybody again was very special.

We want to give a special thanks to Mrs Lambert, she knows why.
Thank you all for the good time we had at the show. We hope to see you and your ponies again in the coming years.

Greetings from the Netherlands, Bloemers Family

What a fantastic weekend we had meeting new people and showing our ponies. Departing from Heads Nook, nr Carlisle at 8am on Friday morning we set off for our the long journey to Hickstead. Everything was going well until we joined the M25. Here we joined a 60 mile tail back due to a lorry fire on the Dartford Crossing. Eventually we arrived at Hickstead a bit later than planned but still in good spirits. Our first day showing was Saturday in the black junior section with Allengrove Bliss picking up a second in the 2 year old filly class. Sunday was a much busier day with our remaining three ponies being shown. The weekend just got better with Wells Royal Gold taking first in the black stallion class and 1st in veteran. Our 5 year old mare Berrymoor Bramble taking 1st, Senior Champion and Black Champion. Later that day Bramble went on to pick up the Overall in-hand Breed Champion and then thrilled us all by receiving Reserve Supreme Champion of show. Kinness Susan took a 5th in the same black mare class as Bramble. We are so astounded, words can't describe.

May we take this opportunity to thank the organisers, committee, judges and all the voluntary helpers for putting on such a great event. Can we also thank competitors and spectators for all their very kinds words and comments. The Nicholson Family
Berrymoor Bramble

Wells Royal

Allengrove Bliss


	Firstly may we take this opportunity of Thanking and congratulating the organising committee, stewards and all of the ‘behind the scenes’ people who made this show a success, let us not forget that some of these people made the sacrifice of showing their own ponies at the show for us all to do so, and not least thank them for all the hours of voluntary work that went into making this show the success that it was. Of course, we must also thank the ring judges. F&C.H.
It was lovely to see our foreign visitors – showing their ponies, spectators at the ring sides and joining the Gala reception and meal on Saturday evening. There didn’t seem to be much time for socialising though.We had prepared for the International Shetland Pony Show for the last few months and decided which ponies to actually take nearer the time. We decided to opt for a two year old filly, three year old filly and two stallions – a junior and a senior, and what a show we had, winners in each class and more, we are still on cloud nine! The weekend started well and just got better, I walked across the show field at the end of the show smiling from ear to ear, I couldn’t believe it – Ring Champion at the International, absolutely blooming fantastic! The Eiger Stud is extremely pleased and proud to be able to report the following Miniature Shetland Pony results: Eiger Kassandra - winner of the Two year old Filly class and Junior Champion. Eiger Jasmine - winner of the Three year old Filly class. Eiger Charlie - winner of the Senior Stallion class Eiger Hugo - winner of the junior stallion class, Senior Champion and Ring Champion. Eiger Jupiter – winner of the Three year old Colt class (now owned by Mr & Mrs P Gerring)

Gerry Hart's take on it all.............I think the show was a huge success as shown by the reports published here. Generally people were happy with the judging, although some were disappointed, but I guess that's showing, you enter and you take your chance. Any 'conflict' between the various EU countries regarding 'grading' has been quelled by common purpose, furtherment of the breed. A delegation from Finland told me even though their stud book knows compulsory inspection is against EU Law, they persist. They intended to register their stock in UK stud book. Pity the Islanders didn't pitch up, their loss.

We had the most fantastic pony weekend ever! We got placed in all three Miniature classes we entered - Wotknotts Annabelle was 8th Yearling Filly, and Wotknotts Cedric 3rd Yearling Colt (if the gentleman who asked if he was for sale is still interested I will consider selling him after all - please get in touch).

Exceeding expectations but fulfilling my dreams of his potential, Wotknotts Buccaneer (left) won the 2 year old colt class! The Champagne Reception and Dinner was superb....with really healthy options; such a welcome relief after the inevitable junk food consumed in transit and whilst camping! Brilliant atmosphere.

We attended the Championships just pleased to be a part of the proceedings.......and much to our utter delight Buccaneer was made Miniature Reserve Junior Champion. What a thrill - I was so excited I could hardly breath - I'm still trying to find a ladder to clamber down from Cloud Nine! Not bad for a small hobby stud?

Huge thanks to the organisers and everyone else involved. The minibus service was brilliant - I forgot my 1st place rosette for the Championship, so our courteous driver raced back to our horsebox, waited whilst Chris retrieved it, and got him back in record time! Thanks also to the official photographer. He is really good! We don't normally buy photos but these really 'captured the moment' and we spent a fortune!

What an experience! Everyone was so friendly, kind and generous...fantastic comradery......I want to do it all over again! C&T.R.

What a great show. So many happy and very friendly people, all talking Shetlands, fantastic. A bit damp for the early classes on Saturday but who cared, smiles all round. The ridden classes were fun to watch, ponies and riders were enjoying it all. The In-Hand Rings had to contend with some huge classes. This show was great due to a small band of people who had the unenviable task of organizing it. A lot of work went into this show, much more than most people would even dream about - a huge undertaking - so everyone that attended this show should thank the organizing team headed up by the Committee - Countess De La Warr, Mrs J. Dennis, Mrs J. Jones, Mrs J. Lambert with Mrs.E.McCutcheon taking the entries. They all did a fantastic job as did all the stewards & the commentators. They appeared to have everything under control, but they may have looked serene above the water line and paddling like mad underneath. As with all competitive sports without people like this, voluntarily giving up their time, and some times their sanity!, the competitors would not be able to compete.

THANK YOU ALL. Your work and dedication is greatly appreciated by all who attended over last weekend. R.B.

Arrived at show wondering if we had the right place as we were 2nd ones there in day parking at the time!
Thordale Erebus went on to come 2nd in 2yr old colts class and we were very pleased with his performance!We had fun, met lots of lovely people from uk other countries and the whole atmosphere was electric. Loved every minute of it.
Mr and Mrs S.J.L.

Ditto everything everybody has said. Fab Show with great atmosphere!! The hard work that went into the show must have been phenomenal so a big thank you to the Committee.

We took 3 ponies and all were placed: Buxted Emma May 4th in the yearling class,Buxted Daniel 1st in 2 yr old colt class and Buxted Embassy 1st in 3 yr old colr class.To have 2 ponies in the Junior Champs was fab!!

All three were 4th in the progeny class so I was really chuffed!!

Many thanks to all concerned again and before I forget the dinner was really lovely and rather special.

David and Pauline H

clockwise. Champlers Vesta was 2nd in the Yeld Mare Class. Champlers Victoria was 1st in the 2 year old Filly Class Champlers Ellarose was 2nd in the Yearling Filly Class. What a star she was - this was her first show. Champlers Ebony was 2nd in the Veteran Class and 3rd in the Stallion Class

An exhausting two days of showing four ponies but thoroughly enjoyed it. It was lovely to meet so many new breeders from Finland, Norway, France and Germany

who were very interested in our ponies. Congratulations and thanks to all the Show Committee for all their efforts in running the show. M.S.

Claife Vulcan, and Alison Bromwich, owner and breeder winner 3 year old black colt class

Feeling on top of the world! HRE Bigton and Alice Barr Supreme Champion of the International Breed Show. Alongside, Waulkmill Redstart and Becky Penny, Breed Olympia qualifier.

I would like to say how much I enjoyed the Show, I was very lucky to have won a 3rd in one class and a 2nd in another.

The Committee did a marvellous job, and must have been so relieved when the weather decided to have a change of heart and stop raining for the Saturday.

The courtesy bus was very, very much appreciated and a HUGE thank you to the driver (who's name escapes me), but he was extremely pleasant and very helpful to the point where he came right up to the lorries on Saturday evening to transport us all to the dinner, nothing was too much trouble for him.

Thank you all very much. J.E.

What a fantastic show!! We all had a brilliant time, lovely to catch up with everyone - many of whom we hadn't seen since Shetland last year and the standard of the ponies forward was simply excellent.

The show committee and all the volunteers must be congratulated - it was a fantastic show - and what a credit to the society they all are - please pass on our thanks - and whoever's idea it was to lay on the minibus - what a very good idea!! A.B.

To round up the pictures from the International, some lovely images from Mataleena Pesonen from Finland,


Many Colours Reine Royal (Sire: Gerwin v.d. Mariaheide/Dam: Reine Paola de Valk), Yearling. Bred and owned by Hoeller and Kettl We loved staying there at the show between hundreds of shetlands enjoying them together with our friends the whole day through!		Time was running much too fast and much too soon we had to leave your wonderful country to return to Germany and Austria and say Good Bye New Friends, Good Bye Shetlands, Good Bye England. We'll meet again!! Best regards Claudia and Friedrich (Of Bavarian Sea/Many Colours Austria)