Shetland Isles to host week-long pony celebration

A group of pony breeders in the Shetland Isles are organising a week-long celebration of Shetland ponies — to coincide with the 2009 Shetland Pony Studbook Society Breed Show.

The breed show is scheduled for 22 August 2009, and will take place for the first time in its history on the Shetland Isles. This year the show will be held in August at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire.

Shetland pony breeder and co-organiser Helen Thomson told H&H: “We felt like a lot of people know about Shetland ponies, but a number of people are not aware of where Shetland actually is.

“Ultimately we want to attract people here so that they can see the Shetland pony in their native heath.”

Stallion evaluations, talks on the history of the Shetland pony and the society’s AGM will make up some of the events planned for the week.

There will also be a Shetland pony race, whether it will be a Grand National or not is yet to be confirmed, a pony pageant and a pony drive. And some of the 130 studs on the Shetland Isles will be open for visits.

Ms Thomson added: “We usually get around 200 entries just for local shows so we are expecting high numbers. We are hoping that people will travel from all over England and even abroad for the show

“So far all the organisation is going to plan, we’re looking forward to it.”

The show will take place at the Clickimin Leisure Centre in Lerwick, the largest town and the main port in the Shetland Isles.

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