Albuquerque, NM - The Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America (WCPSA) is pleased to introduce a Junior Merit Program designed to recognize and encourage our juniors to get out and enjoy, compete, work with, and learn from and about their Welsh ponies and cobs in all sorts of venues.

The program also recognizes general good citizenry by including such accomplishments such as school and community service. Points are obtained through both an activity workbook and a questions workbook. The WPCSA Junior Merit Program is designed to allow juniors to work at their own pace and review recognition at specified levels. It is also designed to provide recognition even if a junior does not own their own pony or cob. Achievement will be awarded at the WPCSA Annual Meeting in February.

While the program is designed around the Welsh breed, questions and activities cover a wide variety of topics, including horse and pony care, competition and overall good horsemanship. Activities include a range of jobs and learning opportunities from braiding your pony for a show to working at a therapeutic riding center to presenting a project at the WPCSA Annual Meeting to competing at a Pony Club Rally and to learning five things from a farrier visit. Over 200 questions include such things as what is the purpose of a Coggins test to identifying natural aids in riding to how to measure an English saddle to over 100 questions about the WPCSA show rules. The program is also designed to be supplemented each year so that it continues to grow and provide fresh opportunities for junior recognition.

Current WPCSA juniors 17 and under may enroll by sending a completed enrollment form along with a one-time fee of $10 to the WPCSA office. Any other junior may enroll by becoming a WPCSA member either through an individual or family membership, and submitting the enrollment form and fee. The WPCSA hopes that this fun and dynamic program will encourage current WPCSA juniors to explore the wider world of Welsh and for other horse-loving juniors to come explore the WPCSA.
For more information about the Junior Merit Program, please visit the WPCSA at www.welshpony.org.

ENDS