hy keep Shetlands many people ask, where do I start. Years ago, when having one horse and competing on the local Show Jumping circuit I never envisaged keeping and showing Miniature Shetlands. My equine background was for many years competing in local unaffiliated shows, show jumping and some cross country. By chance, in 2001 myself and the owner of the yard I was on at the time were offered 3 Miniature Shetlands that needed rehoming and we duly took them home. About 10 days later I lost my old horse that I had competed on for many years and somehow one of those Shetlands, a chestnut gelding we called Dil- lon seemed to take over. I personally took ownership of him, and then began many happy future years with Shetlands.
The joys of owning Shetlands W
By Sarah Cotton
went off on my own 3 years ago for the weekend to the Shetland Performance Show in Malvern and came back having made a new group of friends and learning a great deal more. I would say to anyone don’t be afraid to do it alone as you are not alone for long and you learn a lot.
Shetlands are great fun and wonderful characters, yes, they can be naughty, but a lot of ponies can be at times. With good management and time spent with them they are extremely rewarding and great to own.
Dillon
I acquired 2 more along the way in the following years, Digger and Dimples and started to show them at local shows, getting to know the ins and outs of what Shetlands were all about.
Unfortunately, we lost Dillon back in 2015 and I resigned myself to just keeping the remaining two and was not looking for a replacement. However, as fate would have it again, about 2 weeks later a friend was giving up their Shetlands and offered me a Skewbald pony, called William, a pony I knew and had seen about, the one pony I had always thought would be great to own. The only one I could not turn down the offer to buy.
William has undoubtedly given me more success in the show ring than I ever envisaged, or I had previously experienced in other equine disciplines, having now experienced success at County Shows and this year Champion Miniature Shetland at Equifest.
I have made many new friends going about to the Shetland shows and found Shetland people to be a great friendly mix of people. I
Dillon & Digger
Showing is also a great way to get involved and meet people, I would thoroughly recommend it, providing you can accept losing as well as winning. It’s always great to take home a red rosette at the end of the day, but it’s not all about that, enjoy it, join in and you’ll make a lot of friends and have fun along the way.
I also help run West Oxfordshire Riding Club where we run a series of Showing Shows over the summer months, I feel it is important to keep some local shows going because unfortunately so many have been lost over the years, we welcome all levels of competitors so please contact us if you would like to know more.
Here’s to a few more years of enjoyment and fun with Shetlands!
Sarah with William at Equifest 66 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 For the latest news visit
www.centralhorsenews.co.uk
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