The 47th Manitoba Welsh Pony & Cob Association (MWPCA) show was held Aug. 26 and 27 under sunny skies at the fairgrounds in Virden. A highlight of the show was an exhibit of local resident, Everett More, with his well-matched team of registered Section B ponies: seven-year-old mare Frontier Pixie Dust, and four-year-old gelding Frontier Dusty Boots shown as Welsh pairs under harness. The ponies proudly pulled the modified vintage wooden-wheeled buggy; the same buggy that More drove to school back in 1957 and has been in the family ever since.
More reported that his dad bought the buggy at an auction in 1957 so that he, then in Grade 6, could drive he and his brother to the local school of West Hall. That only lasted a year. Due to declining enrolment, West Hall was forced to amalgamate with the neighboring school of Dand, before it eventually closed and students attended Elgin School for a short time, before moving on to Hartney. He graduated from Hartney School, having attended four different school in the span of six years, yet having never moved from the farm.
The last time the buggy was used by More was in a parade in 1982, and since then it has been in storage.
This was not His first time attending the MWPCA show. His daughter, Aleaha, exhibited at the show as a youngster approximately 30 years ago, but never in the harness division.
When he made the decision to once again get involved with Welsh ponies, it sparked a renewed interest in driving, and the well-maintained family heirloom was brought out of retirement.
More says he has no idea the age of the vehicle; however, it does have a name plate of the manufacturer attached which reads “W. Johnston & Co. Wpg, Man., General Accts of the North West” which would indicate that it was made prior to Manitoba becoming a province in 1870.
ABOUT the SHOW
The annual Welsh show features registered purebred and partbred Section A, B, C, and D Welsh ponies. It boasts over 60 classes for every age and in every discipline possible: halter and showmanship, in-hand trail, bareback, English and Western saddle classes, a full slate of driving classes, liberty, pole bending, barrel racing, reining and some fun classes.
Just over 20 ponies competed at this year’s show from exhibitors throughout Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The judge for the event was Brian McClelland of Calgary, Alta.
JMR Narcissus, a Section B stallion owned by Marg Allen of Glenella was crowned Supreme Champion. Reserve Champion was CWMFE Mogs Choice, a Section D stallion owned by Louise Saunders of Borden, Sask. and exhibited by Haley Moats.
Everett More is living proof that Welsh Ponies are suitable for everyone. They range in size from under 12.2 hands for a Section A, to horse size (over 14.2) for a Section D making them one of the most versatile breeds in the world, well suited to various disciplines and ages, meaning you never outgrow a Welsh!
