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News from Our President
As we enter the spring of 2005, there are many things happening in the world of Dartmoors which we need to either think about or plan for. Let me run through the list: Dartmoor News. Because there is such growing interest in the breed, Ann Joyner (ann@mcmoss.org) has generously offered to gather information and write articles for any publication that will give our ponies space. Ann has purebred ponies and crossbreds, and does a great job of raising youngstock. She's doing an important service for us, but really needs input from you, the membership, about what your ponies are doing to make it all work. Send photographs, text, and most importantly, all the details (dates, location, what is available for the ponies) for upcoming events. She will also channel all of your inputs to Linda Yutzy for the website. We need to know what your ponies are doing! Look for a new button on the site, and stay tuned, but also please contribute. Sales List Photos. Remember that you need to update photos on the website sales list section. The photo should be clear and recent so buyers have a good idea of what you are selling. When you look at the listings, you can see immediately the better photos, and these are the listings which get the calls. Take the time and make the effort to have your pony well presented; prospective buyers will always associate the quality of the picture with the quality of the pony. DNA Registration If you have breeding stock, start thinking about the DNA requirement that will be in place in 2007 as a requirement. Try it out....go ahead and DNA your stallion or broodmare just to see how easy it is and learn how to do it before it becomes a hard and fast requirement. Remember that, as of 2007, foals cannot be registered until their parents have the DNA report on file. All the procedural information is on the web site, as are the the transfer report, stallion report, registration form and the DNA program info. Breeding stock are the only ponies that have to be done, and you need to do it before a colt becomes a stallion, or a mare is bred. Geldings and mares that are not used for breeding do not have to be done. Major Events. There are several events to remember (and, remember, let us know about any others):
Competition: The world championship for pony combined driving is in England in July of this year. By the way, there is a great web site ( www.ponyteamusa.com ) that has shirts, hats and jackets (really nice ones!) for sale to support the American team. Check it out and help the ponies once again compete on an international level. There is a very good chance that there will be a pair of Dartmoors on the American team, so any and all help is welcomed! Registry implements DNA sampling DNA sampling is to become part of a Dartmoor pony’s registration. This will be voluntary for 2004-2007, after which DNA sampling will be required for the registration of all breeding stock. Basically colts would have to have a DNA sample on file when registering a colt to stallion status. Fillies would have to be done as mares before any of their foals could be registered. There would be no requirement to sample geldings. Fillies could be done as young stock or when they were being bred. Taking DNA samples will keep us up to date with the other breed registries, such as the Welsh and the British Dartmoor Pony Society, and it provides an impartial verification of breeding programs if ever there’s a question. We are a small registry now, but we are growing and it is best to get this started and work all the snags out of the system so that we won’t have to do a “hurry up” change later. The test is quite simple and not expensive. Contact Lory Eighme, the Registrar, for a form and instructions. Samples should be sent to: Mark the packet for the Dartmoor Pony Registry of America The cost is $31, and the University keeps the records and sends a copy to our registrar. Purebred Pony classes at Spring Fling Show The Virginia Welsh Pony and Cob Association is holding its annual Spring Fling show on 4 and 5 June 2005 at Morven Park, Leesburg, VA. On Saturday the 4th there will be Purebred Pony classes. For more information or a Prize List, please call Hetty Abeles at (202) 364 0553 Announcing a NEW EQUINE AFFAIRE in 2005! We are proud to announce that we have recently added a fourth show to our roster of outstanding annual events. The new Equine Affaire will take place September 16–18, 2005, at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, KY. Updates on the educational line-up and admission details will be posted on www.equineaffaire.com as they develop. Please call (740) 845-0085 or email info@equineaffaire.com for more information.
UK Dartmoor Pony Society to hold International Convention in 2005 Dartmoors for the "Older" Crowd One of the best markets for Dartmoors is the 55+ age group.
"Baby boomers" are beginning to retire and are looking for
interesting things to do. Carriage driving is growing by leaps
and bounds, with many new drivers 55+. Here in Ohio we have several
driving groups with picnic drives held April through the first
of November by all the clubs. |
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