Ponies UK introduces regional festivals
Showing enthusiasts in the South and West of Britain and in Northern Ireland will have new regional championships to qualify for during the forthcoming winter season, thanks to Ponies UK.
The Ponies UK Regional Showing Festivals have been introduced to cater for competitors who don’t wish to travel long distances during the winter months. And competitors don’t have to be members of the showing society to qualify, as Ponies UK spokesperson, Betsy Branyan explains.
“The aim of the regional festivals is to encourage more local riders to enter these classes without the expense of having to become members of the association,” says Branyan.
“We are aware that people do not want to travel long distances, yet they still want to be able to compete at the highest level they can and qualify for a championship where they will be able to compete at an equal level with other exhibitors in their region. This is what the regional championships will offer.”
Winter shows in each of the three areas will host qualifying classes for the regional festivals. The six highest placed competitors in each qualifying class will be eligible to take part at their regional festival.
The supreme champion and reserve supreme champion from each regional festival will then compete against each other for £1,000 worth of prizes at the Ponies UK Summer Championships in August 2005.
For more details on Ponies (UK) Regional Festivals, including dates of qualifying competitions, visit: www.poniesuk.org or contact (tel: 01487 830278)
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Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.