The WPCSA will hold its Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet at the Embassy Suites, Raleigh-Durham/Research Triangle, Cary, NC, February 23-26, 2012. The centerpiece of the AGM, the Awards Banquet, will celebrate all of the 2011 achievements of the Welsh ponies, cobs and horses along with their owners, riders, handlers and whips. Youth activities are especially highlighted and will include unique clinics and an awards luncheon. Several more activities and opportunities await AGM attendees:

Clinics for Drivers and Juniors
Clinicians Dede Bushneck and Marsha Himler (both are ADS Licensed Judges), will present a variety of carriages, harnesses and driving disciplines at Pepperwood Farm, www.pepperwoodfarm.com.
Juniors are invited to learn some inside secrets for showing in-hand from clinic presenters and WPCSA Judges, John Almond and Suzan Stephens. This special clinic is for juniors only and if adults try to attend they will be charged a hefty fee!

Horse Photography 101
Timely and needed! Photographers Janice Thomson and Kathryn Southard will share photo secrets, tips, great photos and bad from 2011.

Extreme Makeover- Welsh Horse Show Edition
Amy Schwartz, manager of the USEF Welsh Horse Show of the Year covers A to Z of a successful show. She will also lead a round table discussion about improving our Welsh Shows.

Flying Diamond the Bailef – A Tribute
Wendy Stephens and Janice Early will share the great adventures of an American Welsh Hero and the America’s Favorite Trail Horse Competition.

2nd Annual Photo Contest
Back by popular demand is the 2nd Annual Photo Contest. The contest aims to match photos with popular slogans which are then used for publicity by the Society. Entrants need not attend the AGM! More details and official entry form are available at www.welshpony.org.

Auction Items Needed
The silent and live auction held during each AGM is the biggest annual fundraiser for the Society. Generous donors and bidders make this a fun event, all with the intent to raise much needed funds. Welsh memorabilia is especially popular and provides plenty of lively entertainment. Item donations are greatly appreciated and will be acknowledged in the Welsh Review and on our website. You can contact Martha Stover at [email protected] or 269-668-3588/269-330-1794 for additional information. Donated items should to be shipped to Dede Bushneck, 5836 Cass Holt Rd., Holly Springs, NC 27540.

Stallion Service Auction
With all proceeds to benefit the WPCSA, the stallion service auction will begin February 17, 2012 and finish at midnight, February 24, 2012. Bidding is via e-mail or by silent bid during the AGM. The auction will feature top Welsh stallions representing all sections and will be listed on the WPCSA website at www.welshpony.org. For more information, contact Gretchen Aitken at [email protected] or 541-874-3333.

Please join us in North Carolina and Share the Welsh with us! Additional information can always be found at www.welshpony.org.