The role of the Young Ambassador of the Year (2019)

The Role of the Young Ambassador

The Young Ambassador acts as an ambassador for the Welsh Breeds and the Society, to promote its charitable aims and encourage participation of children and young people, to represent existing young members throughout the UK, providing them with a voice and link between all UK and International Associations, Hill Improvement Societies, the President and Trustees.

Being appointed Young Ambassador is an honour that provides a rewarding and exciting role as well as providing an excellent opportunity for personal and educational development.

The following list provides a framework of responsibilities and expectations but is not exhaustive:

• To Chair and organise meetings for the Young People’s Group (a sub-committee of the Members Services standing committee)
• To continue to attend meetings for the year

To attend functions as Young Ambassador on behalf of the Society, in particular:

• Area Association meetings and WPCS forum events around the UK as agreed by Council (area Associations to cover expenses)
• WPCS Performance awards
• Various functions during the Royal Welsh Show to include meeting with the Royal Welsh Young Ambassador at 8.00 am on the Wednesday for breakfast at the WPCS Pavilion
• To organise at least one fundraising event during their year
• To organise an annual meeting for young people aged 14-25 years
• To organise a fun event that will involve younger children
• Attendance at a selected list of shows to include the National Welsh, Lampeter, Glanusk and Northleach Shows
• National Welsh Show – to be involved with the Young Judges Competition
• To present an overview of the young Judges competition at the annual Judges and breeders’ seminar
• To write a report on their year as Young Ambassador for the Society’s website and Facebook page
• To contribute ideas / information / articles for social media which will be of interest to young people
• To deliver a report to Council on their year in office as Young Ambassador at the last Council meeting and at the Annual General Meeting
• On invitation, attend meetings of the Members Services committee

As Young Ambassador you can claim travel expenses and subsistence for attending authorised events on behalf of the Society, but these need to be agreed with the Company Secretary and Chair of Council before any costs are incurred.

Changes that took effect from the 2018 Annual General Meeting are as follows:

• The YA term of Office increases from 12 to 18 months (October 2019 – April 2021)
• The selection of the new YA will be decided in September, formally taking up office at the Society AGM in April where he/she will take over from the previous YA having had a six-month handover.
• The six-month overlap will enable the new YA to receive feedback from the serving YA, adopting best practice for the forthcoming year and planning itinerary.
• A qualified/experienced mentor from the board of trustees will be selected to work closely with the YA to provide guidance when needed.
• The President-Elect will have input into the selection and interview process for the YA that the President-Elect will be working alongside in the forthcoming year

A recent change agreed by Council on the 5^th of August 2019 is that the maximum age of the Young Ambassador is now 30 years old.

The overlap with the current YA of six months will be a working handover period and this will be an important time to set personal and Society objectives and plan your year’s itinerary.

You will have the opportunity to discuss this itinerary with the President-Elect and mentor that are appointed to work with you to ensure the forthcoming year of office will be a fun, eventful and memorable experience.

The current Young Ambassador for 2019-2020 is Miss Catrin Reed of the Tyngwndwn Stud.

Candidates for the Young Ambassador, aged between 18 and 30 years, are now eligible to apply.

The closing date for receipt of applications is midnight on Friday 23^rd of August 2019

The closing date will be strictly adhered to in order to allow interviews to be conducted and a successful candidate appointed before the end of September.

An application form can be downloaded here

Young Achiever’s Award

The Society makes an annual award at its AGM to a young person(s) in recognition of their achievements within the Society and/or with the Welsh breeds.

Nomination of Young Achiever

The Society is keen to encourage nominations for this award, in order that recognition is given to significant achievements by its young members and the contributions they make to the Welsh Pony and Cob world.

If you would like to propose someone for the award, please send full contact details of your nominee and your reasons for nomination, stating why you think they should be considered, to the Society’s office.

The award is kindly sponsored by the Glyncoch stud.

Criteria of Young Achiever

Being a WPCS “Young Achiever” does not necessarily mean winning prizes with ponies and cobs in the show ring.

The Society has come up with suggestions as to who could be eligible for this award.

These suggestions are in addition to and do not exclude success in the show ring. They do, however, widen the criteria in order to benefit our members and our ponies and cobs.

Suggestions:

· Have young members considered giving assistance to another member who might be in need? Do you know of someone who is struggling due to reasons beyond their control, e.g. bereavement, ill health or advancing years?

Could you, perhaps, find the time to offer them assistance, in a sensitive way? Perhaps you could offer to help them to distribute forage in the winter. Providing water can also sometimes be a problem if we are sometimes infirm, due to whatever circumstance. Summertime ragwort control is also something young members could help with if someone is in need of assistance. The list of assistance that could be offered in a quiet and sensitive way is endless.

·  Maybe you, as a young member have achieved success with a Welsh Pony or Cob that might have been unwanted or considered unmanageable. Have you seen an equine in need and done something about it?

· You would also be eligible if you are helping a charity to do with equines or RDA or similar.

You can apply for the Young Achiever award by being nominated by a member of the WPCS or through an Area Association. Do not be modest; approach a member to nominate you if you have helped in any way. Tell your friends about the award – they might like to join the Society as a Junior Member. Work in pairs or groups if you like. This could contribute to your Welsh Baccalaureate qualifications or perhaps the Duke of Edinburgh Award. Take responsibility for your achievements.

Many successful and well known WPCS members have started their careers with equines in this way. You don’t actually have to own a pony or cob. It is enough to make you eligible that you have shown concern and dedication for their wellbeing and welfare.

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In 2015 the Young Achiever’s Award was presented to Miss Anna Richards.  Following Anna’s accident in July 2011, her strength and determination has helped her recovery along with her passion for the Welsh ponies.  During early 2014 Anna spent time with Colin and Sarah Tibbey in North Wales receiving tuition for showing in hand and the right turnout.

She has been showing Section A’s in hand and also Sarum Japhet and Sarum Rhiannon in the ridden classes, Japhet was the first pony Anna rode following her accident and has helped her recovery immensly along with the encouragement of Stewart and Annie Franklin and many others.  The Society wishes Anna well for her 2015 showing season.

In 2014 the Young Achiever’s Award was presented to Miss Kate Williams of the Ringside Stud, Castleton, Cardiff.

Kate had a very successful year in 2013, becoming Young Champion, Supreme Champion, Supreme Horse and HOYS Cuddy Qualifier at the Royal Welsh Show – all in her first year showing in-hand.  Success continued when she was crowned Supreme Cuddy Champion at the Horse of the Year Show.