SOME 90 horses turned out for the Dales Pony Society’s annual summer show at Streatlam Farm, on Saturday, August, 6.
While slightly down on pre-pandemic numbers of 98, competitors and organisers were delighted to be back on the show field and the society will be looking at ways of encouraging more young people to join to maintain the breed.
Kate Waite, Dales Pony Society show secretary, said: “We have seen a reduction in entries because of the cost of fuel rising, but it is still nice to see people supporting the Dales ponies, which are a protected breed.
“As normal the mare classes are well supported, but ridden classes are down.
“We will regroup at the end of the season to see what we need to change.
“The plan is to get more young members to join. We do have some new people on the council and it is our aim to get more young people coming in as we have to protect the breed.”
Dales Pony Society president Jeff Daley, from Spennymoor, who has been a life-long member, said he was introduced to the breed by his father, who was a pony keeper for the collieries.
He has passed on that love to his son, Lee, and grandson Lee Jnr, who picked up the youngstock championship with three-year-old Pumphouse Pearl.
Overall in-hand championship was 10-year-old Stuffynwood Daffodil, exhibited by E Hayes and S Noble.
Keith Metcalf of Bolam, won the gelding championship with 12-year-old Bolam Danny in the morning and went on to win the driving championship in the afternoon.
The overall ridden supreme championship was won by R Leaf with nine-year-old Manorian Marley. Carrock Beauty, owned by Mr and Mrs JR Cockbain and exhibited by K Wilson won the traditional ridden championship.
More pictures and full results page 16
