The Eriskay Pony Society

Please note the address for the Registrar / Treasureris now :

Wester Invervar

Glenlyon

Aberfeldy 

PH15 2NJ

Tel : 01887 877219

Report by Judith harries.

Vanessa Harvey with handler (who had to be substituted by the vet at the last minute as the handler needed to go with mother to hospital) plus husband Anthony brought 15yr old Peewit pony club pony and mum, and 4yr old gelding Merlin (just backed) for the second day.

Merlin had never been anywhere before (except to the vet). All animals had a loosebox with a cattle pen enclosure at the front.

Both ponies were intensely interested in everything - goats penned 15' away, American Quarter horses next door, huge deerhounds (or some such breed) in the next row.

A sunny day, the place was crowded - sometimes with people 3-deep at the pens with Peewit and Merlin successfully entertaining their visitors.

There was a display which involved all the Rare Breeds parading round the ring with commentary as each one came forward. 6 Equine breeds, 8 sheep breeds, 2 goat breeds, 5 individual donkeys, 2 alpacas - and a Hereford bull. I decided I would go into the ring just in case someone needed help and donned gloves and hat. How silly. Of course they didn't need help but behaved wonderfully well. Little Merlin will have learnt a lot about loudspeakers, flags, huge marquees full of very noisy fowl and the general public who don't get out of the way of ponies.

By 4.30 pm both ponies were nearly out on their feet but refused to go inside the loose boxes and miss the fun.

Cannot thank Vanessa Harvey and husband Anthony enough, and their friends who came to help - I had fascinating questions from the public and the day was a great success.  

British Dressage are running a championship for British Native Breeds. Eriskays are eligible and there will be a rosettefor the highest placed Eriskay Pony.

http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/news/show/2592-native-breeds-championship---all-you-need-to-know

A number of people have contacted the Eriskay Pony Society about comments on the website of The Eriskay Pony (Purebred) Studbook Society - Comann Each nan Eilean (CENE), and elsewhere that relate to EPS and our relationship with CENE. The following are the key points in relation to this matter.

Background

As a result of a meeting held at the offices of the Rural Directorate of the Scottish Govt in March 2009 both societies agreed to a reconciliation process to be run by an independent expert.

The process to be followed was that the studbooks would be reconciled, followed by the rulebooks.

Had this process been completed, the outcome would have been that : 

• EPS and CENE would have consistent rules
• all issues surrounding the mother - daughter society relationship would have been resolved
• there would be a full studbook of all Eriskay ponies. 

A time scale of 6 months was agreed for the studbook reconciliation from the date the independent expert was appointed. That person was appointed in June 2009.

When we were asked to provide a copy of our studbook in July 2009 we provided a complete electronic extract of our entire studbook. We answered all subsequent requests for clarification promptly.

The studbook reconciliation was not completed and in September 2010 we were told that CENE considered the matter closed.

They did this as they did not deem themselves to have a daughter society on the basis of advice from Dr. Alf-Eckbert Fuessel, European Commission DG SANCO.

Current Position.

The Eriskay Pony Society (EPS) remains a fully authorised breed society and Passport Issuing Organisation (PIO) for Eriskay Ponies.

The relevant authority in this matter is the Rural Directorate. Dr Fuessel has confirmed he cannot make rulings in this matter, only offer advice based on the information put before him.

We have discussed the way forward with the Rural Directorate and with Dr Fuessel.

Dr Fuessel has advised that there is existing precedent in the EU for there to be 2 legal breed societies for the same genetic breed.

The Rural Directorate are proceeding prudently in this matter and are taking all necessary advice to ensure that the agreed way forward conforms to UK law, relevant EU Commission Decisions and takes due account of existing precedent.

Dr Fuessel also advised that we could continue using the term 'Eriskay Pony' and there is also precedent for that, though this needs further clarification.

EPS intends to remain a breed society that caters for all Eriskay Ponies, their owners and breeders. We will work with the Rural Directorate to achieve this and provide updates as when we have further information.

If necessary, an EGM will be held to discuss and agree the way forward.