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The Fell Pony Society
News

Important FPS notices are generally headlined for a short time on the front page. We include information from other U.K. societies here when it is of interest to Fell pony owners.

Archived News >>>

Challenge 2024

 Challenge 2024

Fresh Challenge for 2024 coming soon

Go to the Challenge page to read more - shortly

Also look out for information on the Challenge Facebook page.


Miss Betty Walker

The Society regrets to announce that former Council member Betty Walker passed away in Carlisle hospital last Saturday, 23rd March, aged 93 years.

The funeral service is at 11am in Holy Trinity Church, Grange in Borrowdale on Thursday, 11th April, followed by a committal at St Andrew’s Church in Stonethwaite, Borrowdale. 28 March 2024

Marathon Pledge: SUPPORT URGENTLY NEEDED PLEASE!

Val, one of our admin team, has pledged to run 26 miles in the London Marathon in April to raise £1500 in much needed funds for World Horse Welfare, a charity that rescues and re-homes horses and ponies who are in desperate need. Fell ponies have themselves been helped over the years by this charity which relies solely on donations. 

chestnut horse, rescued in a half starved stateWorld Horse Welfare logo, horse's head and textrescued foal woman among half-marathon runners

Val is on track with her training, completing a half marathon at the weekend! Please show your support for her and this amazing organisation by giving a donation, however small, at justgiving.com/page/val-london-2024

You can donate anonymously or leave a message and read updates on her progress as she battles with the training miles and Lakeland weather here in Appleby. Every penny will make a difference. Thank you.  22 Feb 2024

The UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE)

The UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE) newsletter includes information about the National Breed Inventory. "The inventory helps to show how breed populations are changing over time and identifies status, trends, and potential threats." Full document >>>

DEFRA: Farming Support Packages

Secretary of State, Steve Barclay, announced up to £45 million in competitions and grants, including a list of payment schemes that are potentially relevant to native breeds. Particularly note the Native Breeds at Risk Supplement :: Full document >>>      14 Feb 2024

Trophies Secretary vacancy

The Society has provisionally appointed a new Show Secretary but still has a vacancy for a TROPHIES SECRETARY for the STALLION SHOW and BREED SHOW.
To take over from 2025 and ideally to work alongside the current secretary in 2024. Mainly required on show days but some following up the return of trophies will be required prior to show day. If you are interested or want to know more about what’s involved –
Please contact the FPS Office:  Email secretaryfellponysociety@gmail.com or  secretary@fellponysociety.org.uk

Options under discussion for sending out the FPS Magazine

Postage is a huge unavoidable cost to the Society. The magazine cost approx. £1500 more to send out in November 2023 than the previous year, due to 2 increases in postage during 2023.

Council have been discussing the various options but felt that ultimately it should be the members who decide. The majority of members value the receipt of a twice-yearly magazine through the post and for this reason we do not want to reduce this if members feel we should continue.

Read More >>> 30 Jan 2024

New "Junior Handler" Points Award & Competition

The Support Groups have put forward the idea of a new Junior Handler section within the FPS Performance Awards Scheme and (from September 2024), a Junior Handler competition with a final at the Breed show (from 2025). Read More on the awards page >>> 12 Feb 2024

New Survey from RBST about Breeding Decisions

As part of the second phase of their Native Equine Project, RBST are looking at what influences breeding decisions, the health and welfare issues perceived, or endemic issues in native ponies, as well as looking into how they can best help breed societies with their aims and objectives.

They have redesigned and reopened last year's Reproduction survey to make it easier to use. It is for breeders of all sizes, to improve the help RBST can potentially provide to our native equine breeds.

This second survey asks what influences the breeders of our native horses and ponies. It covers topics such as breed conservation, the current economic climate and breeding for a specific aim or discipline.

RBST would be extremely grateful if you could participate in their survey.

Please see both survey links here: Native Equine Breeding Decisions Survey (google.com) & Updated : Equine Conservation Project Reproduction Survey | Rare Breeds Survival Trust (rbst.org.uk) 24 Jan 202

Learning with Fells 2024

The Society will consider applications from any FPS member, irrespective of age.

It is hoped that sufficient numbers will come forward for visits to 2 or 3 studs during 2024.

If you’re interested in taking part as a learner please send an email to the FPS office secretaryfellponysociety@gmail.com by no later than 30 April 2024.

Stud Owners – if you think you could accommodate visitors, then please get in touch with the FPS office ASAP with possible dates.

There is a bursary, payable from the Mary and Henderson Dodd Memorial Fund, of £50 for each participant to assist with travelling expenses, provided at least two visits are attended. 18 Jan 2024

Launch of BHF Better Beginnings Best Practice Guide ‘Young Horse Development’

October 2023 - The guide offers the latest and proven methods to ensure the best start for your equine partner's long, happy life. For more information please see https://bit.ly/3FbC5rt or download the information sheet here: More >>>

See British Horse Foundation https://britishhorsefoundation.org.uk Updated 16 October Sept 23

Voluntary DNA testing of filly foals in 2024

Voluntary DNA testing of filly foals (uncapped numbers) will be offered for 1 year only, from January 2024, test paid by FPS. UK and overseas tests should be via via Weatherbys where possible but US breeders can use a lab in their own country and then be issued with a credit against future transactions once confirmation of amount paid is received, up to a maximum of £50.

On request the DNA kit will be issued with the passport application form, and the foal should be microchipped at the same that the vet takes the hair sample. The hair sample must be taken by a vet.

Parentage testing to be carried out where possible.

The FPS will not pay for the DNA test when

    i) the foal is a result of AI

    ii) the sire is required to be confirmed as there is no service certificate or the service certificate was submitted late

    iii) it is a late registration requiring parentage testing

    iv) the passport application is received after 30 November in the year of birth. 13 Sept 2023


Veterinary Chiropractic College

The McTimoney College of Chiropractic has recently announced a new 4-year programme in Veterinary Chiropractic available to undergraduates. The course begins in September 2023. An introduction can be seen here or on the College web site, https://www.mctimoney-college.ac.uk/ 18 March 2023


CautioFake email screenshotn: Phishing emails, 2022

We have been notified of a spate of fake emails pretending to be from the Society Office. Typically they look like the image here. Notice that the Reply-To: is "Pony Society The Fell" going to an email not associated with the Society; also the bad grammar and lack of punctuation, followed by the copied and pasted text from our Membership page.


If you receive an email that you didn't expect, with this kind of message, it's most important NOT to click on any links in it.

In the UK, forward the email to report@phishing.gov.uk. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will investigate it.

If you receive a similar text message, forward it to 7726 - it’s free.

Delete such emails or texts without responding to anything in them.

6 June 2022

New Collectible "Fell Pony" donates £1 per Sale to FPS

The new Grasmere Gingerbread® Fell Pony, hand-stitched from a wool felt blend, is "a shaggy-maned delight with a slightly unkempt ‘just got up in the morning’ appearance" and each sale includes a £1 donation to the FPS. See more at the Grasmere Gingerbread web site 1 June 2022

Centenary Educational Video: The Fell Pony - Type and Conformation

Tom LLoyd's new DVD was launched today at the Stallion & Colt Show. This is part of the Society's educational activities as a charity, in celebration of our 100th year. It is available to purchase from the Society, £15 & P&P. You can also watch it online on Tom's Vimeo accountor his Facebook page .

14 May 2022

Seeking promotional photographs and Stud / Business information

The FPS Display Team are asking for good quality photos of ponies, and information and updates from Studs and Fell Pony related businesses (text to fit on one A4 sheet), so we can refresh our Information folder and photo posters on the Display Team's breed promotion stand. Please contact Christine Robinson, christine@kerbeck-fell-ponies.co.uk29 April 2022

Donations from the AGM to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal

At the FPS 2022 AGM it was agreed to donate the takings from the raffle and donations for the tea, to the "Red Cross Ukraine Appeal". The amount raised was £193.30.

It has been sent to the Red Cross today.

Many thanks. 6 April 2022

Fell Ponies - Article in Country Life

The March issue of Country Life magazine (www.countrylife.co.uk 23 March 2022) has a four-page spread by Julie Harding on Fell ponies, the Centenary, our patron HM The Queen and several other Fell pony owners. We have Country Life's permission to share the PDF here: More >>> 26 March 2022

Updated Animal Health Regulation (AHR) Frequently Asked Questions

DEFRA have updated the Animal Health Regulation (AHR) frequently asked questions which are now available on the trader showcase site.

As a reminder the new AHR Export Health Certificates (EHCs) will need to be used from 15 January 2022 for goods moved to Northern Ireland or exported to the EU from GB. This includes EHCs for all products of animal origin, live animals, germinal products and composite products.

All existing and most of the new AHR EHCs are available and traders can decide which ones they wish to use until 15 January. A small number of new EHCs have been removed from EHC Online for now. This is because the EU will be amending some EHCs, and some are subject to ongoing discussions with the EU regarding GB’s disease freedom status.

The EU have recently published a new EHC for the re-export of certain EU origin POAO to the EU. We are working to provide guidance on this certificate and make it available for use by GB exporters.

There is further information and guidance available from Defra's web site or by emailing traders@defra.gov.uk

(Trader Readiness Team, GB-EU Exports Delivery & GB-NI Directorate, Biosecurity, Borders and Trade Programme; Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) 28 Sept 2021

The Centenary 2022 - Launch

We announce the launch of our centenary plans.

New Grassroots Online Registry

The new look Grassroots Online Registry replaces the old Pedeweb. The registry can be accessed from our website (links at the foot of the Home page) or direct at www.grassroots.co.uk/fell.html using your normal Breed Society Member No and password. It gives access to the whole Society database and allows you to 'Manage Your Animal Records'. >>> Full details 14 October 2021

Changes to Animal Health Certificates for Export (2021)

The EU is making changes to its laws through the EU Animal Health Regulations (AHR). The AHR mean that the Export Health Certificates (EHCs) used to export equines to the EU, and move them to Northern Ireland, will be changing from 21st August 2021. Among the changes previously communicated, these new certificates require the premises/establishment from which an equine is exported from to have a registration number issued by the Competent Authority.

To meet this requirement, equine establishments in England and Scotland are now able to seek a County Parish Holding (CPH) number from APHA by completing an application form and sending it to Equine.Registration@apha.gov.uk. Please include the date of first export from your premises following 21 August, in the subject line of your email. The form will be available on Gov.UK in the very near future.

Equine keepers in Wales should register for a CPH through Manage My CPH on RPW Online (www.gov.wales/rural-payments-wales-rpw-online).

If a premises/establishment is already registered, and you know the CPH number, there is no need to reregister.

We encourage those exporting soon after 21st August to obtain a CPH number as soon as possible. If you are not exporting equines from your premises until later in the year, please consider delaying your application until one month before exportation to allow current resources to be used on generating CPH numbers for those who need them immediately.

Registration is voluntary, but unless the establishment has a registered CPH with APHA, or RPW for Welsh keepers, it will not be possible for an Official Veterinarian (OV) to certify a horse or other equine for export from GB to the EU or NI.

A copy of the Government document outlining the registration of premises is available here. You can contact EquineExportsCarlisle@apha.gov.uk if you have any additional questions on exporting requirements.6 August 2021

Important information for all who export live animals to the EU.

Animal Health Regulations (2021) See particularly pages 7 and 12.

Enquiries from EU owners and breeders

Please contact the FPS office by email, if you have any queries regarding the issue and updating of passports for Fell Ponies in the EU.

The FPS can continue to issue Stallion Licences for Fell Ponies in the EU

We can:
- accept FPS membership applications - for new EU members and renewals
- issue stallion service books and accept service details online for EU ponies who have already been issued with a FPS Stallion License
- issue FIS test kits to EU members
- issue DNA test kits to EU members
- issue prefix applications for EU members to register a prefix with the Central Prefix Register

Please be assured that we are still working very hard to support members and ponies within the EU.

Thanks

Katherine 14 Sept 2021

FPS has no connection with FPHT

In response to a number of enquiries we would like to state that the Fell Pony Society has no connection with the Fell Pony Heritage Trust other than the founder is a member of the Society. Although the FPS agrees with some of their objectives (which are identical to those of the FPS) the Society has no other connections. Hopefully this will clear up some of the confusion. 22 April 2021

Deadlines for Breeders

· The current Equine Identification regulations require the applications for foal passports to arrive with the Society within 6 months of birth or 30 November whichever is the later. However in addition to the above, FPS regulations require applications to be received by no later than 31 December (irrespective of age) or the application will be treated as late and will require late registration fees and confirmation of the sire and dam by DNA. Double fees may also apply if applications are received during December.

· Service Books / notifications of coverings online must be notified by 31 December in the year of covering; if not, any resulting foal will have to be DNA typed to confirm the sire prior to registration.

When completing stallion service certificates please complete all the details fully, including full name and registration number of stallion and mare and full dates of covering to include at least month and year. Month on its own with no year is unacceptable. 20 November 2019

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