The Youth Encouragement Program (YEP) is a program designed to educate and encourage the involvement of young people, up to the age of 24 years, in the WP&CS of Australia. The YEP focuses on young people subscribing to the Junior Club and the Young People’s Group, competing in the National Young Judges Competition and encouraging young people to become co-opt members of Regional Promotional Groups. The long-term outcome is to ensure engaged, educated and enthusiastic young adults that actively participate in Regional Promotional Groups, Committee of Management and who become WP&CS Panel Judges. They will also make lifelong friends!
The Youth Encouragement Program provides:
- Special Awards at Welsh run shows such as the Best Junior Club and Young People’s Handler, Young Judge and Working Hunter at State All Welsh Shows.
- Opportunities for the youth to network with others who share the same interests
- Support to RPG’s to hold events specifically for youth (ie: Little Red Dragon Show)
- Support to RPG’s to hold stud tours and educational days that include hands-on learning of conformation, type and standards of excellence in all sections of the Welsh breed
- Development of the National Young Judges program
- Acknowledge and recognition of achievements via the YEP Newsletters, Action magazine and annual Journal
- Acknowledge and recognition of achievements via Achieve Awards and the newly introduced Performance Competition
National Young Judges Competition
The National Young Judges Competition is held once a year, usually at the Welsh National Show in Victoria. Winners from each State competition, usually held at the State All Welsh, are invited to compete for the National title.
Competitors must be 10 years and under 25 years of age at time of the State competition and at the State competitions will judge a group of 4 ponies from the same section and preferably same gender (not stallions). At the National competition they will judge two different groups of 4 ponies from the same section and preferably the same gender (not stallions).
Prior to the judging, competitors will complete a written section of 5 questions that cover conformation, Standard of Excellence and the Rules and Regulations of the Society. The written section is not open book. Post judging the competitors will individually attend an interview, where they will be questioned on their placings and observations. Competitors will be scored by the judge on their ability to describe type, conformation and movement of the animals using appropriate terminology, compare animals in terms of conformation, type and movement and give constructive reasons for their decisions and communicate their judgement of the animals in a coherent manner. The competitors placings of the animals will be scored in comparison to the judges placings using the UK Young Farmers calculator.
Scoring is out of 100 (160 for the National Final) with marks being allocated as follows:
Placing Of Animals – 25 marks
Interview (Observation of conformation and condition. Marked on the competitors ability to provide a comparative rather than a descriptive statement of reasons for placings) – 35 marks
Written Section (Knowledge of conformation, Standard Of Excellence and the Society Rules and Regulations) – 30 marks
Dress And Personal Presentation – 10 marks
The Competition is open to Full and Associate members of the Society and those listed as participants on a membership. Junior Club and Young People’s Group subscribers are also eligible to enter the competition.
If the State winner is unable to attend the National Competition, the runner up from that State will be invited.
National Young Judge Competition
Winner 2024
Tahlia Davis
National Young Judge Competition
Winner 2023
Georgia Renton
National Young Judge Competition
Winner 2022
Tahlia Davis
Junior Club
Subscription to the Welsh Pony & Cob Society’s Junior Club is for all children 11 years and under, from July 1 to June 30 each year.
Subscribers that turn 12 before June 30 each year will receive automatic subscription to the Young People’s Group.
Subscribers receive:
- Junior Club pin with the initial subscription.
- Youth Encouragement Program Handbook, annually.
- 2 editions of Hoof Beat, the Junior Club newsletter, annually.
- Special Junior Club classes and awards at Society run events.
Young People’s Group
Subscription to the Welsh Pony & Cob Society’s Young People’s Group is for all young people aged between 12 and 17 years, from July 1 to June 30 each year.
Subscribers receive:
- Young People’s Group pin with the initial subscription.
- Youth Encouragement Program Handbook, annually.
- 2 editions of the Young People’s Group e-news, annually.
- Special Young People’s Group classes and awards at Society run events.
To subscribe to the Junior Club or Young People’s Group complete the subscription form and waiver and email or post to the National Office.
Subscription is for July 1st to June 30th each year.
$10.00 per annual subscription.
Child and/or parent are not required to be members of the WP&CS. No WP&CS membership benefits apply.
PERFORMANCE COMPETITION
Do you compete under saddle? In Harness? In Handler Classes?
Classes at Welsh shows, Ag shows, Pony Club and Interschools can all earn you points.
The competition runs each year from Aust 1st to July 31st and you can enter at any time.
Open to all WP&CS Junior Club and Young People’s Group subscribers.
Keep up to date with news by following the Performance Competition on Facebook (9) Welsh Pony & Cob Society of Aust Performance Competition | Facebook
Conditions:
- The competition runs from the 1st August 2023 to 31st July 2024 inclusive.
- Performance cards must be returned by the 8th August 2024.
- Entry fee is $10 per rider/driver/handler and pony combination.
- The pony must be registered with the WPCSA. Pony can be any section, any height.
- The owner (not necessarily the rider) must be a current full or associate member of the WPCSA.
- The rider/driver/handler must be a Junior Club or Young People’s Group subscriber of the Youth Encouragement Program. Annual subscription fee to the Junior Club or Young People’s Group is $10.
- Performance cards will be posted or emailed on successful nomination of rider/driver/handler and pony combination.
- Points are allocated for both official and unofficial events.
- Ribbons and prizes for each section to 6th place.
- SECTIONS: Dressage Saddle Harness Handler
- Each section is divided into Junior Club and Young People’s Group for allocation of ribbons and prizes.
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