A ‘nail in coffin’ for the Shetland breed
Breeders react after studbook society removes its support from the annual auction over equine welfare concerns
THE withdrawal of the Shetland Pony Stud Book Society (SPSBS) from a long-running annual sale will be a “nail in the coffin”, a breeder has warned.
After the 50th annual Reading Show & Sale of Registered Shetland Ponies at Thimbleby & Shorland auction, Reading, on 17 October, the SPSBS has withdrawn its auspices from the sale following complaints of “serious concern” for the welfare of some ponies sold.
On behalf of the society council, president Jill Jones confirmed the society will not be involved with next year’s event.
“Council received an unprecedented amount of complaints from members and unanimously decided that there was no option but to resign our involvement with the sale,” said Mrs Jones. “Most of the complaints were related to concerns over the welfare of some ponies and how they were being treated by some purchasers outside the ring.”
Karoline Thorpe of Blenheim Shetlands, Oxfordshire, which has attended the sale since it began, said the auctioneers do the best job they can.
“The sale is in the right area of the country and in the middle of Reading for all to attend, especially our overseas buyers, as the hotels are only a short walk away,” Mrs Thorpe told H&H.
Mrs Thorpe added the sale can attract a “certain kind of buyer”, but said she did not see “anything untoward” take place.
“These buyers are not quite the ones some people want, but they spend plenty of money. If we, the vendors, lose Reading as a sale, what do we do?” said Mrs Thorpe. “I can only see this will be a nail in the coffin of the Shetland pony.”
Ms Thorpe said Blenheim Shetlands has been contacted about keeping a Shetland pony sale at Reading.
“Let us, the vendors of many years’ standing, get on with it and keep the Reading Shetland sale. It doesn’t have to be run under the auspices of the SPSBS. We must pull together for the sake of the Shetland pony,” said Ms Thorpe.
Holly Cornelius of Shallowater Stud, Cornwall, who took 16 foals to Reading this year, said the stud relies on the sale.
“It’s the closest one to us and, even though it takes us four-anda-half hours to get there, it was worth it as buyers attend from everywhere,” said Ms Cornelius.
“Many people sell ponies online, but we’re farmers, too, and don’t have the time; we really rely on markets. It’s a lot more practical if you can take a pony to market and sell it and it’s all done in one day.
“If a sale went ahead at Reading, we would still attend.
All the buyers are aware of the Reading sale, so, I would have thought, even if the stud book isn’t involved, people would still go.”
H&H has contacted the auction for comment.