International Miniature Horse & Pony Society

A huge welcome to our first 2008 member - Conner Payne

Hi! My name is Conner Payne.
I am 15years old and I help with Brenda Thompson's team from Northern Colours in Wrexham.
I am in charge of Thomas (Tiny Tom of Mallards). Here is a photo of me and Thomas at at show.

His is owned by Sir Timothy and Lady King - I think he is their favourite ? He is 34.5 inches, although when at home he always measured 34", but when he is at shows he is such a show off that one day he wasn't allowed to compete in a really important class, so the decision was made that he would be a "standard". I'm really glad as I have had so much fun and success showing with IMHPS.

We had a fabulous time at the championships being champion coloured, but I was very disappointed in the Concours Elegance as I think it is really difficult for boys (gentlemen ) to beat very glamorous, beautiful young ladies (!!!!), so I think a male and female award should be given or there will be no boys doing the class, which is sad, as I really like getting all togged up !!

I get to go to a lot of big shows with Team Thompson so it's nice to be able to compare and have favourites. Arena UK is a great place and we visit it a lot with our other horses and ponies.

I hope everyone has a good season ahead, and the IMHPS web site is just getting better and better.

See you all soon, Conner

PS - we are having a new horsebox so listen out for the one with the loud music coming from it !!!

We would like to welcome Josh and Charlie from France

Hi. Our names are Josh and Charlie Odone-Higgs. We moved to France 4 yrs ago.

We had a pony we shared called Dougy .. there is a photo of him below.

We used to both get on Dougy at the same time and drive mum mad; she said it wasn't fair on the pony and we should work our young ponies; we didn't so she found a new home for Dougy. We weren't pleased but he has a nice home
and we now work our young ponies and don't both ride on the same one as we previously did.

We enjoy riding, driving and showing our ponies. We don't enjoy getting them ready but mum and our helper Emily
help us with that. We have lots of ponies here and try to help out with fencing, changing fields, poopa scooping etc.

Message from Charlie

I am 5 years old and I am very brave and love galloping on my pony called Pitchou. She is aged 4 and is half
Thoroughbred and half New Forest. She is really fast. My brother only likes to go steady on his pony, Braveheart. Here is a photo of me at our stud in France, riding Marquis, a huge Breton. It's like sitting on a table - ooh la la!

Message from Joshua

I'm much more sensible than my brother. He is a crazy kid and goes full speed on his bike and pony and is always
falling off; he has more plasters than hot dinners!

My pony Braveheart is Arab / Welsh sec A. He is lovely, very sweet and only 3 yrs old, but he loves to be ridden in the ménage and down the lanes with his cowboy saddle on.

Braveheart and I showed in the inhand class at the Royal Manche Show this year and got second place. This is me with my girlfriend in the class. I also got first place in the ridden class. Charlie is also pictured below with his rosettes and medals after a hard days work! PHEW!

We would like some pen pals so if anyone wants to learn French, please be our pen pal.
If you would like to write to Josh and Charlie, click here to let us know and we will pass on their contact details

A big welcome to Bridey Shawyer

My name is Bridey Shawyer. I am 9yrs old - nearly ten. I met Ella at the teach in and the Weyhill show.
I absolutely love ponies and I have four minis; two on the way from America and maybe another one. I also have
one New Forest Pony - he is bay and 13.3hh. I do pony club with him.
These are my minis below.

A big welcome to Samantha Chiverton

My name is Samantha Chiverton and I gave up riding and mummy bought my first miniature horse called Winkfield Jersey Cream! He is a yearling and we also now have his friend Winkfield Storm, he is a miniature Shetland.

I love going out with my ponies most weekends and I have put some pictures on for everyone to see my boys!

I am 8 years old and very excited about going to MHOYS!!!

Samantha

Message from Ella ...

Samantha and I met at MHOYS, which was fab! She did REALLY well .. winning the fancy dress class,
gaining 6th place in the mini Arabian class with Winkfield Jersey, and looking so lovely in the Concours Elegance -
WELL DONE SAMANTHA!!
Photos below - notice the huge smile!

	HI! My name is Ella Richardson. I'm 14 years old, home educated and MAD about minis. Below is a bit about my minis which I hope you enjoy reading. I would love to hear from other young IMHPS members so we can compare notes and hopefully meet up at some shows. I have an email address you can write to me to say Hi. Click here to send me a message!
I live near St Davids, which is in Pembrokeshire, Wales. I first saw a miniature horse when I moved to a new school. I was 7 so I cant really remember much. My friend owned a farm right next to the school and they had a small herd of minis that her dad bred to sell at local sales for a bit of spare cash.
Then in 2003 I got my first mini - Bambie - and it was the start of what hopefully will be a life time hobby!! She was a small 29" yearling filly who was sold to me at a pet price of £250, which I had worked a long time to get ! She was a crazy, STRONG, never handled mad ball of fluff who would literally chase you if you got within 5 metres of her? She got a bit better with me, but still chased the other family members. However, all I had to do was try to brush her or touch her when she was eating to be kicked, bitten or charged at. I didn't do much with her for a year except get loads of bruises and cuts where she had bitten or kicked me, or just pushed me over. Then when I started my home education I spent all the time I could with the horses and I will never forget the first time she whinnied when I went into the paddock! From then on it just got better. She started jumping and pulling wheelbarrows and for the first time she was fun to own. I was then addicted to learning all I could about minis.	Bambi, showing her jumping skills
Just last year I didn't know the difference between a miniature Shetland and a miniature horse. I spent a lot of time talking to nice people who kindly put up with me bothering them every time I had a question to ask and they gave me advice on showing, clipping or just general tips on the well being of my lovely little herd. Then, on 23rd December 2005 I was given two minis for Christmas. They were from the same place as Bambie - one filly and one colt, both as scared and nervous as Bambie was, but not quite as violent!!
	Cracker- the filly - was palomino (later found to be coloured), about 28" and very timid. Only in the last couple of months has she really been sweet and loving and has only just overcome her fear of people. She was never difficult, just scared!
The colt, Knobby, (photos below and to the right) was skewbald and a bit bigger than Cracker at about 31". He was quite feisty, and again, has only really just overcome his fear of humans. He has recently been registered with IMHPS ad I hope to be able to show him this year (if he loses some weight!)
In September 2006 I purchased my first show colt, Nugget, from Melanie Lewis in Brecon. He was still a weanling at the time, but very friendly and still is today. He is small - standing at 27" and is all chestnut with some white spots on his face.
	The latest addition to my little herd is Rosie. She is a gorgeous show filly who is really refined. She is a bit bigger than Nugget at 32 1/2" with 4 white socks - I cant wait to show her this year
I hope you like my minis. I can't wait to get some messages ... Ella xx
A huge welcome to our first 2008 member - Conner Payne Hi! My name is Conner Payne. I am 15years old and I help with Brenda Thompson's team from Northern Colours in Wrexham. I am in charge of Thomas (Tiny Tom of Mallards). Here is a photo of me and Thomas at at show. His is owned by Sir Timothy and Lady King - I think he is their favourite ? He is 34.5 inches, although when at home he always measured 34", but when he is at shows he is such a show off that one day he wasn't allowed to compete in a really important class, so the decision was made that he would be a "standard". I'm really glad as I have had so much fun and success showing with IMHPS. We had a fabulous time at the championships being champion coloured, but I was very disappointed in the Concours Elegance as I think it is really difficult for boys (gentlemen ) to beat very glamorous, beautiful young ladies (!!!!), so I think a male and female award should be given or there will be no boys doing the class, which is sad, as I really like getting all togged up !! I get to go to a lot of big shows with Team Thompson so it's nice to be able to compare and have favourites. Arena UK is a great place and we visit it a lot with our other horses and ponies. I hope everyone has a good season ahead, and the IMHPS web site is just getting better and better. See you all soon, Conner PS - we are having a new horsebox so listen out for the one with the loud music coming from it !!! We would like to welcome Josh and Charlie from France Hi. Our names are Josh and Charlie Odone-Higgs. We moved to France 4 yrs ago. We had a pony we shared called Dougy .. there is a photo of him below. We used to both get on Dougy at the same time and drive mum mad; she said it wasn't fair on the pony and we should work our young ponies; we didn't so she found a new home for Dougy. We weren't pleased but he has a nice home and we now work our young ponies and don't both ride on the same one as we previously did. We enjoy riding, driving and showing our ponies. We don't enjoy getting them ready but mum and our helper Emily help us with that. We have lots of ponies here and try to help out with fencing, changing fields, poopa scooping etc. Message from Charlie I am 5 years old and I am very brave and love galloping on my pony called Pitchou. She is aged 4 and is half Thoroughbred and half New Forest. She is really fast. My brother only likes to go steady on his pony, Braveheart. Here is a photo of me at our stud in France, riding Marquis, a huge Breton. It's like sitting on a table - ooh la la! Message from Joshua I'm much more sensible than my brother. He is a crazy kid and goes full speed on his bike and pony and is always falling off; he has more plasters than hot dinners! My pony Braveheart is Arab / Welsh sec A. He is lovely, very sweet and only 3 yrs old, but he loves to be ridden in the ménage and down the lanes with his cowboy saddle on. Braveheart and I showed in the inhand class at the Royal Manche Show this year and got second place. This is me with my girlfriend in the class. I also got first place in the ridden class. Charlie is also pictured below with his rosettes and medals after a hard days work! PHEW! We would like some pen pals so if anyone wants to learn French, please be our pen pal. If you would like to write to Josh and Charlie, click here to let us know and we will pass on their contact details A big welcome to Bridey Shawyer My name is Bridey Shawyer. I am 9yrs old - nearly ten. I met Ella at the teach in and the Weyhill show. I absolutely love ponies and I have four minis; two on the way from America and maybe another one. I also have one New Forest Pony - he is bay and 13.3hh. I do pony club with him. These are my minis below. A big welcome to Samantha Chiverton My name is Samantha Chiverton and I gave up riding and mummy bought my first miniature horse called Winkfield Jersey Cream! He is a yearling and we also now have his friend Winkfield Storm, he is a miniature Shetland. I love going out with my ponies most weekends and I have put some pictures on for everyone to see my boys! I am 8 years old and very excited about going to MHOYS!!! Samantha Message from Ella ... Samantha and I met at MHOYS, which was fab! She did REALLY well .. winning the fancy dress class, gaining 6th place in the mini Arabian class with Winkfield Jersey, and looking so lovely in the Concours Elegance - WELL DONE SAMANTHA!! Photos below - notice the huge smile! BACK TO TOP OF PAGE