The WPCSA Election Results
The membership elected to return Tiz Benedict, Sally Steinmetz, Martha Stover and Jackie VerKuyl to the WPCSA Board for another term. Dr. Ruth Wilburn returns as President and Jackie Verkuyl to the Vice-Presidential position. The board also welcomes Patricia Cochran, Lochinvar Farm, Banks, OR to the board to complete the term of resigning member Wendy Peterson. All of our board members share an enduring devotion to raising, breeding and showing Welsh ponies and cobs. A bylaw amendment limiting terms of service for directors was not passed during this election year.
WPCSA Holds Successful Fund Raising Auctions
This year’s annual fund raising auction was a great success in spite of the fact that some items arrived late due to weather, however an impromptu second auction, brought the grand total to $4400.00! Our members are always generous donors and bidders because they want to be part of helping the society in some way.
Equine Metabolic Syndrome and Laminitis Presentation – Focus on Welsh Ponies
In a continuing effort to support equine research, the Welsh Pony and Cob Foundation (WPCF), through the Maureen Lapicola Equine Research Fund, is helping fund research projects that commonly afflict ponies and cobs. The Society was pleased to have Dr. Molly McCue, Associate Professor of Equine Medicine at the University Of Minnesota College Of Veterinary Medicine and research partner Dr. Elaine Norton share results of an Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) study funded in part by the WPCF. The recently completed study includes data from more than 600 horses, including 100 Welsh ponies. Data from this study has led to new insights into EMS and its characteristics between breeds. The presentation focused on findings specific to Welsh ponies and how the research group is working to identify the underlying genetic factors that increase risk for the development of EMS.
WPCSA Judges Clinic on Welsh Movement
Joann Williams, owner of JPW Dressage Training, WI, presented a clinic to WPCSA judges and judge applicants on linking breed type to movement, conformation and soundness. The clinic was very informative, with many slides and illustrations, including videos of the various gaits with explanations of why certain movements were hard to train because of conformation. Ms. Williams has 30 years’ experience as a trainer and equine consultant. She is a USDF gold medalist on a self-trained horse, has earned all six USDF medals and is a WPCSA approved 'R' judge.
The WPCSA Foundation Scholarship
The Society is pleased to announce that Meg and Emily Gill of Loafers Lodge Welsh Ponies in Monkton, Maryland are once again recipients of this year's educational scholarships. Each of these college students will receive a $500 scholarship from the Molly Butler/J.D. O'Rear Memorial Scholarship Fund. Selected from a group of 15 candidates, Meg and Emily exemplify the original purpose of the scholarship initiative – to support deserving students with an equine background. As third generation Welsh pony owners, breeders, exhibitors, and life members of the WPCSA, Emily and Meg have grown up surrounded by the Welsh community. Both are actively involved in the training, producing and showing of the family’s ponies throughout the nation and meeting with great success. In presenting these scholarships, Mrs. Sabra Schiller, Board member and Chair of the Scholarship Committee stated, "even though these young ladies have been scholarship recipients in the past, they stood head and shoulders above the rest." Meg is currently a junior at Stevenson University, studying Forensic Accounting. Emily is also in her junior year and is studying Elementary Education at Goucher College. A heartfelt congratulation goes out to both of these outstanding young adults from the WPCSA!
2015 Annual Meeting Location Announced
The Society encourages its members and anyone interested in Welsh ponies or cobs to make plans to attend the next annual meeting in Florida during February, 2015.
For more information about Welsh ponies and cobs, please visit the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America at www.welshpony.org.