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Eriskay
Stand wins award at Equine Event
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For the Eriskay Pony
Society, the annual British Equine Event , held at Stoneleigh is a major
date in the calendar. Every year a dedicated band of Eriskay enthusiasts
from as far afield as Cornwall and Fort Augustus, get together to meet,
man the stand and "spread the word " about Britain's most endangered
native pony.
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Celia
Harper Gow
receiving the award
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As
a small society, money is must be carefully targeted for maximum
benefit, and in recent years a little has been spent every year
to update the Society's image and provide good quality information
for the public. Two years ago new leaflets were introduced, then
a range of greetings cards and postcards featuring line drawings
of the ponies by Catriona Campbell were launched. Then last year,
thanks to the efforts of the late registrar, Tony Young, a Heritage
Lottery Grant was ordered to enable the Society to buy its own display
boards. Says Chairman, Celia Harper Gow:
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"For years we
had to beg and borrow display boards for the Equine Event and similar
occasions. It was a great boost to be able to buy our own, which we can
take to any of the many shows where we host displays and demonstrations.
But we knew that the boards themselves were only of any use if we had
something worthwhile to put on them. It was then that graphic designer
Alastair Smith offered to help, having already designed our leaflets two
years ago, he produced some stunning information panels, using new photographs,
which we launched at Stoneleigh this year."
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The
new stand design certainly attracted attention, particularly when
it won an award from the Royal Agricultural Society of England for
the Best Breed Stand (beating 33 other stands for the honour). Celia
Harper Gow and colleagues were delighted:
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"As an endangered
breed, shows such as the British Equine Event are critical. We need to
raise the profile of the ponies to encourage more people to own, breed
and use them. An award such as this is a big boost for all those who devote
spare time to the Society.
"The judges awarded
the prize to our stand for its presentation, interaction with the public
and our non-commercial attitude - although we do have merchandise the
main emphasis is on promoting the breed. They especially liked our display
boards which set out our aims and gave historical and practical information
on the breed."
The next outing for
the boards and the Society will be at the Christmas Equine Fair at Ingliston,
Edinburgh on December 8 and 9. Hazelden Jock, an RDA Driving Eriskay pony
will be displaying his skills as part of a demonstration of native Scottish
Breeds.
Increasingly, as numbers
improve, there are ponies of all sorts from breeding stock, youngsters
to broken ride and drive ponies and a small number of registered stallions
for sale. For up to date information about Eriskay Ponies the Website,
www.eriskaypony.com
is useful, or email catrionam.cochrane@virgin.net,
tel:01560485970.
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