Candidates for the Welsh of the Year Awards are WPCSA registered animals who have made outstanding accomplishments in the current year from a broad range of disciplines such as combined driving, competitive trail riding/driving, demonstrations/clinics/parades, dressage, endurance, eventing /combined training, open breed shows (any discipline), therapeutic riding, vaulting, Welsh shows and working western events.
Recognizing the impact of this award, Dr. Ruth Wilburn, WPCSA President, states “We believe that our breed is comprised of talented, hard-working, beautiful athletes and from those, we want our members to annually recognize one such animal that has gone above and beyond in representing the value and wonder of our breed. We love our Welsh breeds and we encourage others to join us in exploring all the many ways they can and do excel, as recognized by the Welsh of the Year Award.”
Jackie Verkuyl of Goldhills Welsh, and program sponsor, agrees. “Each year we watch representatives of our Welsh breed excel in a variety of ways, and we thought it fitting to recognize those extraordinary accomplishments through this interactive and meaningful award. There’s no time like the present so keep this new program in mind as you watch our Welsh breeds perform and achieve this year.”
The Welsh of the Year Award will be initiated immediately with the announcement of the 2012 Welsh of the Year Award to be made at the WPCSA annual meeting in February 2013.
The process for selection is simple. Qualifying animals must be nominated by November 1 on an official nomination form. Based on current year accomplishments, a committee will then select five to seven finalists to be announced on the WPCSA website by December 15th. WPCSA members will select the winner of the prestigious title of Welsh of the Year through online voting during January. Announcement of the winner of the Welsh of the Year Award will be made at the WPCSA annual meeting in February, an occasion not to be missed!