The successful High Score Awards presented by the Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America at Pony Finals have been expanded this year to include registered part bred Welsh ponies in addition to registered purebred and half Welsh ponies recognized in past years. Earlier this year, WPCSA voted to register part bred Welsh and these animals are now competing at rated Welsh shows alongside half Welsh. Part bred Welsh are animals with at least one registered half Welsh parent.
In addition to including registered part bred Welsh, the awards have been restructured in the Regular Pony Divisions so that the top four highest scoring registered Welsh (purebred, half or part bred) in each height division (small, medium, and large) will be recognized with neck sashes. These ribbons will be handed out as the awards are given for each height section.
In the Green Pony Division, one set of high score awards will be presented to the overall top four highest scoring registered Welsh ponies, including purebred, half or part bred. Small, medium, and large ponies will compete against each other for these awards in the Green Pony Division. The top scoring green pony will also receive a halter compliments of Just for Ponies, a keeper trophy and a cash stipend for the rider.
At the conclusion of the regular pony hunter competition and from the pool of the winners in each height division for the regulars, the Highest Scoring Registered Purebred and the Highest Scoring Registered Half Welsh/Part Bred Welsh will be announced and awarded with an additional neck sash, a halter compliments of Just for Ponies, a keeper trophy, and a cash stipend for the rider.
The change in award presentations for the regular pony divisions was necessitated by the growth of Pony Finals and the logistics involved with such large entries in the divisions. “Because Pony Finals has grown so much over the last several years, it has become increasingly difficult to get the award winners all together at the final award ceremony,” explains Dr. Ruth Wilburn, WPCSA President and organizer of the awards. “A change was needed in order to fully recognize how proud the WPCSA is of these ponies and their riders who have competed successfully at such a prestigious national competition.”
There is no entry fee to be eligible for these awards, but the pony must be registered with the WPCSA before beginning competition at Pony Finals. At this time, fees have been reduced for registration of ponies with the WPCSA through August 31, 2012.
To see if your pony is eligible for registration, please contact the Welsh Pony & Cob Society of America 540-868-7669 or at http://www.welshpony.org/
