Nearly 600 Shetland ponies entered in isles’ first ever breed show

The organisers of the first Shetland Pony Society Breed Show to be held in the isles have reported an impressive number of entries.

Over 570 ponies are expected to be on the showground at Clickimin in Lerwick on Saturday 22nd August, with over 400 from Shetland and more than 100 coming from outwith the isles, some from as far afield as Northern Ireland, Devon and the Isle of Wight.

During the Shetland Pony Festival week, 15th-23rd August, over 60 enthusiasts will be treated to daily stud tour area visits and local hospitality laid on throughout the isles.

On Wednesday 19th July, the Shetland Pony: Past, Present and Future seminar will be held at Shetland Museum and a special temporary exhibit will be displayed during the festival at the museum. Further information on tours, tickets and the seminar is available on www.shetlandponybreeders.com

On Saturday 22nd August a celebratory dinner and dance with the Da Fustra will be held at Clickimin. Tickets are £20 and can be reserved by emailing Dawn Leask on dleask@talktalk.net or contacting her on (01595) 840 448.

On Sunday 23rd August at 11.30am the first ever Shetland Pony Grand National qualifier to be held on Shetland soil will be run.

Local riders will be competing against riders from the mainland to secure a place to compete at the finals at the London International Horse Show at Olympia in December. With only 10 places up for grabs from the whole of the UK, competition will be fierce.

Following the high-speed excitement, a Shetland Pony Pageant will be held to celebrate the important role the animal has played in our community throughout the ages.

A spokeswoman said the Shetland Pony Festival would like to invite everyone to come along to the show weekend, open from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd, to see history in the making.