Letter of Thanks

On behalf of the Pony Breeders of Shetland Association we would like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work in bringing together such a successful Shetland pony festival for visitors and locals.

Firstly, we would like to thank Northlink Ferries for their sponsorship package which enabled so many visitors to travel and exhibitors to bring their ponies from far afield to compete in the show.

We would also like to thank Andrew’s Adventures for their excellent delivery of travel arrangements throughout the week and for all the tours and tour guides.

Huge thanks to the studs and local communities around Shetland who worked hard to show our visitors the best of our native breed and our distinctive Shetland hospitality. The positive feedback from our visitors is a credit to you all. Marie Brooker and her driving team must also be thanked for their drive through Shetland during the festival week.

Thanks must go to the Shetland Museum for working with us to coordinate an excellent Shetland Pony display and to contributors who gave items for the exhibition. We sold out on our Seminar, “Shetland Pony, Past, Present and Future” and we would like to thank all our speakers for bringing forward interesting topics to our international audience.

On the show day, our main sponsor, Millgaet Media excelled in offering photography and media coverage of this historic day and the show recorded the largest ever entries and best quality of Shetland ponies ever viewed to date.

Thanks to all the judges, stewards, announcers, secretaries, stable managers, vets, volunteers, stall holders, British Red Cross, and sponsors, Arctic Security all of whom contributed to the excellent showground atmosphere.

We very much appreciate the assistance of Cunningsburgh and Walls Show Committees for loaning and helping us to erect their marquees. Bestafoy Catering served up local fare throughout the festival week; a highlight for visitors was the Shetland Fare buffet at the Dinner Dance featuring Da Fustra who got everyone on the dance floor following the show.

On Sunday, the fast paced action of the Shetland Pony Grand National Qualifier was well delivered and thanks to sponsors MK Leslie, J Budge and Black and Budge who made this event possible.

On to the Shetland Pony Pageant, coordinated beautifully in five acts by Pat Renwick and Family which took viewers through a visual tour of the history of the Shetland Pony. A huge amount of effort, costume and prop design and production was undertaken by many willing volunteers to make this pageant truly special. A special thanks to you all it was simply brilliant.

A special thanks to Maurice Haining and his team at Shetland Recreational Trust for whom nothing was too much trouble and to Technical Production Services who worked in partnership with the organising committee to ensure that the weekend activities at Clickimin proved to be the best ever held yet!

Seasoned exhibitors were highly impressed by the standard of facilities provided by Shetland. Also thanks to Shetland Islands Council for their practical assistance during the week, financial support given and for a civic reception for our visitors which was a splendid way to bring our Festival to a close.

Thanks to all our visiting and local exhibitors, and festival visitors who came from around the world to celebrate the heritage and home of the Shetland Pony.

Finally heartfelt congratulations to George and Barbara and all at Merkisayre Stud who bred the Supreme Champion, Merkisayre Dion.

Shetland Pony Festival Committee