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The Fell Pony Society
News

Important FPS notices are generally headlined for a short time on the front page. We include information from other U.K. societies here when it is of interest to Fell pony owners.

Archived News >>>

Challenge 2024

Challenge 2024

Go to the Challenge page to read more

Also look out for information on the Challenge Facebook page.

Keep up to date

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Membership fees increase from 1st January 2025

As approved at the AGM in April 2024, fees are increasing for 2025. If you are a current member paying by Standing order please remember to get the mandate updated in advance of 1st January. The new range of subscription fees can be seen on the Membership page. 26 Sept 2024

FPS Annual Sale - Saturday 26 October 2024

NWA J36 Rural Auction Centre, Crooklands LA7 7NU. Tel 015395 66200
Pre sale show 9.30am
Sale 11.00am
Entry forms for the sale are now available from NWA. Passport applications for all foals to be entered for the sale must be with the FPS office by no later than 14 September.
All entries must be recorded in the correct ownership in the passport, prior to the closing date of the sale.
Closing date for entries 27 September. Catalogues available from NWA approximately 2 weeks prior to the sale. 30 August 2024

FIS testing - update

FIS testing kits can again be purchased through the FPS (see Registration and Other Fees for details). On receipt of the payment the kit(s) will be issued to the owner. A vet must take the sample and complete the label on the packet in full before returning to the FPS, who will forward it to the lab, Animal Genetics. Animal Genetics will issue the result by email, direct to the  owner, within 7-10 working days of receipt of the sample.

This does not affect DNA typing/parentage testing which will be continuing through Weatherbys in Ireland. 11 July 2024

FIS certificates - caution

For the first time since FIS testing was introduced in 2010, the Society has seen an FIS certificate that has been tampered with.

Please be aware that this can happen.  If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a certificate then please share a copy with the FPS office who will check it out for you.

The Society would like to encourage owners who have had their pony tested to have the result recorded in the passport. We understand that sending in the passport to the office is a bind, but this process can’t be done automatically.  If you’re sending a passport in for some other reason you can just send a copy of the certificate along with it and ask for the info to be recorded. This can also be done for you at the Stallion Show and at the Breed Show.

If you are a new owner, and you’re not sure if your pony has been FIS tested, ask the FPS office to enquire if it has, and, if so, then a duplicate certificate can be obtained for a small fee. The lab will email it direct to you, as the owner. 3 June 2024

King Charles III Patron of the Fell Pony Society

The Fell Pony Society is extremely proud, and deeply honoured, to announce that the charity's new Patron will be King Charles III, following more than 40 years of patronage by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. This fabulous news was received on the 1st anniversary of the King's Coronation.

Fell ponies have been a favourite breed with the Royal family since the 1930s when King George V bought ponies both to ride and to breed from. Her late Majesty enjoyed riding and bred Fell ponies under her Balmoral prefix. The late Duke of Edinburgh competed in pony driving trials at National level with a team of four Fell ponies, and presented the Society with the Edinburgh Award, which is presented on his behalf by the Society each year for excellence in driving. The current Duchess of Edinburgh and her daughter Lady Louise Windsor both drive Fell ponies.

The Society currently has around 1,000 members. Fell ponies, which are classed as "At Risk" by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, are most common in the North of England but are also found across Europe, the USA, Russia and Australia. Around 350 foals are born each year.

A Spokesperson said, "We're absolutely delighted that the King has chosen to continue the Royal patronage that we have enjoyed for over 40 years. This is wonderful recognition of the work of the Society, which aims to foster and keep pure the old breed of pony which has roamed the northern fells since prehistoric times; and to provide information to raise awareness of this wonderfully versatile pony breed."

PRESS details:

for further details of the Society and Fell ponies please see https://www.fellponysociety.org.uk/index.html

Chairman, Peter Boustead - 07790 736192.

Secretary, Katherine Wilkinson - 01768 353100.

Claire Simpson, Press Officer - 07767 838662. 15 May 2024

26th May - Midlands East Horse & Pony Show CANCELLED DUE TO WATERLOGGED GROUND

Update from British Equestrian: official import controls on consignments of chilled equine germinal products from 30 April 2024

British Equestrian has been working with the British Horse Council to secure a workable solution to accommodate the implementation of Border Control Post (BCP) checks beginning 30 April, that will affect chilled fresh semen imports from the EU. More >>>  7 May 2024

Fell Pony Society HOYS qualifier 11 May 2024 - Change of Judge

Mrs Pam Cox is unable to judge the Fell Pony Society HOYS qualifier on 11 May due to family illness. Mrs Alison Bell is replacing her. All competitors have been notified by email today, 30 April 2024.

Miss Betty Walker

The Society regrets to announce that former Council member Betty Walker passed away in Carlisle hospital last Saturday, 23rd March, aged 93 years.

The funeral service was at Holy Trinity Church, Grange in Borrowdale on Thursday, 11th April, followed by a committal at St Andrew’s Church in Stonethwaite, Borrowdale. 28 March 2024

Marathon Pledge: SUPPORT URGENTLY NEEDED PLEASE!

Val, onwoman among half-marathon runnerse of our admin team, pledged to run 26 miles in the London Marathon in April to raise £1500 in much needed funds for World Horse Welfare, a charity that rescues and re-homes horses and ponies who are in desperate need. Fell ponies have themselves been helped over the years by this charity which relies solely on donations. 

Please show your support for her and this amazing organisation by giving a donation, however small, at justgiving.com/page/val-london-2024

You can donate anonymously or leave a message and read updates on her progress as she battles with the training miles and Lakeland weather here in Appleby. Every penny will make a difference. Thank you.  22 Feb 2024

The UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE)

The UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE) newsletter includes information about the National Breed Inventory. "The inventory helps to show how breed populations are changing over time and identifies status, trends, and potential threats." Full document >>>

DEFRA: Farming Support Packages

Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, announced up to £45 million in competitions and grants, including a list of payment schemes that are potentially relevant to native breeds. Particularly note the Native Breeds at Risk Supplement :: Full document >>>      14 Feb 2024

Trophies Secretary vacancy

The Society has provisionally appointed a new Show Secretary but still has a vacancy for a TROPHIES SECRETARY for the STALLION SHOW and BREED SHOW.
To take over from 2025 and ideally to work alongside the current secretary in 2024. Mainly required on show days but some following up the return of trophies will be required prior to show day. If you are interested or want to know more about what’s involved –
Please contact the FPS Office:  Email  secretary@fellponysociety.org.uk

Options under discussion for sending out the FPS Magazine

Postage is a huge unavoidable cost to the Society. The magazine cost approx. £1500 more to send out in November 2023 than the previous year, due to 2 increases in postage during 2023.

Council have been discussing the various options but felt that ultimately it should be the members who decide. The majority of members value the receipt of a twice-yearly magazine through the post and for this reason we do not want to reduce this if members feel we should continue.

Read More >>> 30 Jan 2024

New "Junior Handler" Points Award & Competition

The Support Groups have put forward the idea of a new Junior Handler section within the FPS Performance Awards Scheme and (from September 2024), a Junior Handler competition with a final at the Breed show (from 2025). Read More on the awards page >>> 12 Feb 2024

New Survey from RBST about Breeding Decisions

As part of the second phase of their Native Equine Project, RBST are looking at what influences breeding decisions, the health and welfare issues perceived, or endemic issues in native ponies, as well as looking into how they can best help breed societies with their aims and objectives.

They have redesigned and reopened last year's Reproduction survey to make it easier to use. It is for breeders of all sizes, to improve the help RBST can potentially provide to our native equine breeds.

This second survey asks what influences the breeders of our native horses and ponies. It covers topics such as breed conservation, the current economic climate and breeding for a specific aim or discipline.

RBST would be extremely grateful if you could participate in their survey.

Please see both survey links here: Native Equine Breeding Decisions Survey (google.com) & Updated : Equine Conservation Project Reproduction Survey | Rare Breeds Survival Trust (rbst.org.uk) 24 Jan 2024

Learning with Fells 2024

The Society will consider applications from any FPS member, irrespective of age.

It is hoped that sufficient numbers will come forward for visits to 2 or 3 studs during 2024.

If you’re interested in taking part as a learner please send an email to the FPS office secretary@fellponysociety.org.uk by no later than 30 April 2024.

Stud Owners – if you think you could accommodate visitors, then please get in touch with the FPS office ASAP with possible dates.

There is a bursary, payable from the Mary and Henderson Dodd Memorial Fund, of £50 for each participant to assist with travelling expenses, provided at least two visits are attended. 18 Jan 2024

Important information for all who export live animals to the EU.

Animal Health Regulations (2021) See particularly pages 7 and 12.

Enquiries from EU owners and breeders

Please contact the FPS office by email, if you have any queries regarding the issue and updating of passports for Fell Ponies in the EU.

The FPS can continue to issue Stallion Licences for Fell Ponies in the EU

We can:
- accept FPS membership applications - for new EU members and renewals
- issue stallion service books and accept service details online for EU ponies who have already been issued with a FPS Stallion License
- issue FIS test kits to EU members
- issue DNA test kits to EU members
- issue prefix applications for EU members to register a prefix with the Central Prefix Register

Please be assured that we are still working very hard to support members and ponies within the EU.

Thanks

Katherine 14 Sept 2021

Deadlines for Breeders

· The current Equine Identification regulations require the applications for foal passports to arrive with the Society within 6 months of birth or 30 November whichever is the later. However in addition to the above, FPS regulations require applications to be received by no later than 31 December (irrespective of age) or the application will be treated as late and will require late registration fees and confirmation of the sire and dam by DNA. Double fees may also apply if applications are received during December.

· Service Books / notifications of coverings online must be notified by 31 December in the year of covering; if not, any resulting foal will have to be DNA typed to confirm the sire prior to registration.

When completing stallion service certificates please complete all the details fully, including full name and registration number of stallion and mare and full dates of covering to include at least month and year. Month on its own with no year is unacceptable. 20 November 2019

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