Welsh ponies and cobs put on a great show in Virden for fellow exhibitors, and for the audience in the grandstand. The 40th Annual Show of the Manitoba Welsh Pony & Cob Association was held at Virden Agricultural grounds on July 4 and 5.
Exhibitors travelled from Alberta, Saskatchewan and parts of Manitoba.
“We had a good weekend. We really did,” stated organizer Donna Hunter, from Kenton. She added with pleasure, “With more in the grandstand than any other years.”
In an outdoor horse show, the weather is always a factor. The ponies were shown throughout a hot afternoon on Saturday, until a sudden weather event hit.
“We had a little tornado,” exclaimed Hunter.
It started to rain, which seemed like relief after the intense heat, so the show continued.
Hunter explains, “The wind started to get up. We had two tents for shade...It picked up those tents and threw them over the tall fence. Ribbons and papers started flying.”
The show secretary and organizer credits two young people who chased down ribbons and other documents and tucked them into Hunter’s van.
“We got soaked. I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Louise Saunders from Borden, SK was the judge for the horse show.
The high honour of the 40th Annual Manitoba Welsh Pony & Cob Show went to a Manitoba Section C Welsh stallion.
‘Northern Cross Oliver Twist’, owned by Duane Stewart of Kelwood, took Supreme Champion of the show.
“It’s been a long time coming,” states Donna Hunter, who has admired Oliver as a great driving pony over the years.
An Alberta entry took home the mare jackpot - a $500 purse. Brenda Harder was overjoyed by her big win. She began her Welsh pony stable when she resided near Crandall, MB. Her darling two-year-old Section A filly showed with presence and style.
Heavy horse judge, Daryl Horn was the mystery judge for that class.
Aside from serious competition, there were fun classes for children and costume classes.
Many exhibitors bring their dogs along to the pony show, and so there is a class for them also. But, they have to do something clever to qualify.
Out of 10 entries, the winner was a little dog that led a pony out of the ring.
