Native Pony People.

Name
Kerry Wainwright.

Stud Name
Skellorn Stud.

Breeder
Welsh Section B & Connemara Ponies.

Current / Former panel judge
Panel judge for Welsh Ponies section A and B, and Connemara Ponies.

1) How and when did you first become involved with native ponies; what was the first native pony that you owned?
My grandfather started the stud in the 1960's with Revel and Fayre welsh section A, my mother then started to breed section B as well as section A. Skellorn Music Boy was our section B stallion.
I then started to breed Connemaras with Tyan Takara, who is the mother of my Connemara stallion.

2) Do you have a soft spot for any pony in particular, owned by yourself or someone else?
I have loved many ponies over the years, owned by ourselves and others. My all time favourite must be Skellorn Diadem, who we bred from a mare saved from slaughter. Ballydonagh Misterina was the start of my interest in Connemaras. I remember seeing Coed Coch Planed, a section A stallion, at gredington with my grandfather, the most fantastic mover.

3) Please state your most memorable judging experience, be it good, bad or amusing?
Ride juding welsh ponies in South Africa, on a pony whose girth was too big (i could get my fist down it). I had to sit very still!

4) Speaking as a judge; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of native pony showing today?
To preserve the type of all breeds. So many judges are not familiar with breed type, and are judging basic conformation, which can be quite different in some breeds.

5) When judging in the ring, what brings a smile to your face?
A happy child and pony enjoying their day, politeness, and manners.

6) Speaking as a breeder; what do you believe to be the most important aspects of pony breeding today?
To preserve the breed type, whilst breeding for todays market.

7) Speaking as a breeder; please state your most memorable experience during your years of pony breeding, be it good, bad or amusing?
The first time we won the Royal Welsh, with Skellorn Rose Princess as a yearling, who then went on to be a very prolific winner in hand and under saddle. Going to olympia on two occasions, i have a very nice daughter of hers to bring out in a couple of years.
The worst experiences must be when you sell a good pony to what appear to be nice people, to discover the pony then falls into bad hands.

8) What is the inspiration behind your prefix name?
My grandfather founded it.

9) Speaking as a competitor; please state your most memorable experience at a show, be it good, bad or amusing?
Once i was in a rush, and loaded Skellorn Silver Coin onto a wagon similiar to ours by mistake!

10) If you could wave a magic wand and have any pony brought to your yard; be it past, present or future, who would it be?
Section A - Gredington Simwnt, Section B - Weston Picture, Connemara - Ballydonagh Misterina.

11) Can you recommend a good pony book?
Any of Dr Wynnes Welsh Pony books, or Pat Lynes Connemara books.

12) Any 'words of wisdom' you wish to share?
Showing ponies is fun and should be enjoyed with good sportsmanship.
It is hard work and there are no short cuts; you only get back what you put in.