The Scotland and England & Wales Schemes are being amalgamated for 2020 and, although rosettes will be awarded, trophies will not be presented. Many thanks to all those who have completed Performance Cards for 2020 despite the severe curtailment in point earning opportunities! The cards will be scored in the coming weeks and results published. All those who have returned cards will automatically be issued with a complimentary one for 2021. Those who haven't returned a card for 2020 can use it for the 2021 year when hopefully we will be out and about a lot more!  

Many will be aware that the UK will leave the EU at the end of this year! There are implications in relation to members and Highland ponies domiciled in the EU. We are currently working very actively putting in place procedures to prevent any disruption to the very special relationship we have with all our daughter stud books and all members and owners throughout the EU. This does not affect any non EU overseas countries. All members will be informed of the changes as soon as we are able.

Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) is a devastating disease of horses for which, despite 100 years of research, we still do not know the causes. The EGS Fund and Moredun have published an EGS update for horse owners with very useful information and links. Within this publication, they have announced the funding of a new three year research fellowship, which will bring a fresh approach to EGS research. The project will bring together scientists from multiple disciplines relevant to EGS, to investigate novel strands of research, alongside horse owners and vets to produce practical outputs, such as a national database and biobank, which will facilitate future research. There are plenty of…

For those resident in Scotland, you can now apply for a ScotEquine card which is acceptable instead of a horse passport for many day-to-day purposes. It starts with user registration on scotequine.com?signup You then “Connect” with each equine using its UELN, upload a photo of the passport page to prove you hold the passport, then a good photo of the animal itself. This is a free service!

Congratulations to all who entered the Virtual Highland Pony Show! This marvellous array of awards will be sent out in the first week of September to the prize winners by Shirley Clarke.