UPDATE 2008

Preservation Breeding the Past & The Future

The Welsh Pony and Cob Society
Cymdeithas y Merlod a'r Cobiau Cymreig

White Markings

At the meeting of Members Services on Tuesday 13^th November, the subject of white markings was discussed. A solution was framed to go before Council on Monday December 10^th where it was passed unanimously. As the subject is of significant interest to members we feel it appropriate to post the general outline of the solution accepted by the Council in advance of the minutes.

The Council of the WP&CS has agreed to amend the regulations for entry to the Stud Book to read:

Colour: Any colour, except piebald and skewbald including tobiano and overo patterns.

Excessive white should be discouraged. In the showring Judges will be empowered to judge according to personal preference. This will be highlighted in the Judging and Showing Handbook that will be published in January.

Penalties for not supplying the correct colour and markings would be immediate withdrawal of the members’ right to complete colour and markings on registrations. Further penalties could extend to disciplinary proceedings or trading standards.

Following this clarification of regulations, animals registered within Section X of the Stud Book can be reviewed by the Members Services Committee. Individuals wishing to appeal should do so in writing to the Society at 6 Chalybeate Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1HP.

THE UK WPCS EXCESSIVE WHITE and PINTO ISSUE and HOW THEY SOLVED IT

In February 2006 Gwyneira Edwards, Head of Administration, WPCS (Great Britain) answered an inquiry about registration of excessive white marked Welsh this way:

"Section X is a section whereby an animal cannot be registered in the full body of the stud book, they can be coloured animals out of pure bred animals, pure bred animals with white patches, progeny out of welsh stallions that haven't been licensed prior to being castrated etc."

The WPCS Registration rules read:

10. NON-ACCEPTANCE

The Society shall have the right to decline to accept an application for registration or entry when, in its opinion:

10.1 The application form has not been completed in sufficient detail.

10.2 The name of the animal is unsuitable or objectionable.

10.3 The animal is piebald or skewbald in colour.

Brought upon in part by several lawsuits against the WPCS by dissatisfied members, "The Council of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society (Great Britain) has committed in principal to proposals that will bring fundamental change and reform to the Society over the next 2 years." ₂₀₀₆

Consultant’s Report & Recommendations

The independent review of governance and management structures was commissioned by the Society on the advice of the Charity Commission. Following a tendering process the contract was awarded to Pamela Woods of Management Matters, an independent consultant specializing in charity governance. Ms. Woods was tasked with conducting a review which was uncompromising and thorough. She presented her report to the Council on Thursday 6^th July 2006 and has made far-reaching recommendations in an overall programme spanning 2 years.

In principal, the broad thrust of the report’s recommendations have been accepted by the Council. This broad acceptance of the intent and direction of the recommendations will bring fundamental changes to the Society. There are still areas that will need development and refinement in order to modernize the Society’s governance and management structures, as well as practical and functional issues within the report that need to be considered in greater detail. A Council Working Group has been set up to oversee the development and implementation of the changes.

Chairman of the Council, Mr. Len Bigley, said “This is an opportunity that we must seize. We asked for an uncompromising review and we are satisfied that we have received one. It highlights some issues that may be difficult for us to accept, nevertheless, our priority is the health and longevity of the Society. As an organization we have reached a critical point and we are now in a position to take action in a measured and planned way, with clear goals and objectives. In broadly accepting the recommendations of the review the Council is sending a clear message that it has recognized and accepted the need to modernize. This will not be an easy task but, like my fellow Council members, I am personally committed to driving forward the changes necessary to revitalize and renew the Society.”

To access the complete report click here.

WE ADMIRE AND COMMEND THE WPCS OFFICERS ON THEIR DECISIVE ACTIONS IN MOVING THEIR ORGANIZATION FORWARD IN A DIRECTION WHICH WILL SECURE THE FUTURE OF THEIR PUREBRED WELSH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WELSH BREED STANDARD AND THE WISHES OF ITS MEMBER-BREEDERS.