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Announcement from the Exmoor Pony Society  

18 March 2022

After 17 years of sterling service, our secretary Sue McGeever has decided to call it a day. We are sorry to see her go but understand her reasons and wish her well with whatever the future holds for her.

This is of course a big change for the EPS and after much research and discussion we have decided to make some major changes to the administration of the Society in line with a number of other breed societies.

The biggest change will be how passports are administrated. The regulations relating to passports has changed enormously over the years, creating an increased workload for our secretary and the requirement to keep up to date with increasingly complex changes in legislation. Grassroots, the company who have provided the software platform that the EPS has used for our online studbook/ database for more than twenty years, have offered to extend the services they offer to us and will provide a very comprehensive breed society package, tailored to our specific needs to provide a back-office function to manage our stud book thus reducing the EPS administrative workload. This will be effective from 11th April.  EPS will continue PIO status and be fully compliant with DEFRA Minimum Operating Standards for PIOs.

The Grassroots team are very familiar with Exmoor ponies. The co-directors are Margaret Hargreaves and Libby Henson who is Adam Henson’s sister. Her father Joe created the RBST so the company have an excellent pedigree! Once they take over the process, which will also include processing memberships and DNA samples, we will let you all know exactly how it will work for you, our members, and ensure you have all the relevant contact details.

Because of our long-standing working relationship with Grassroots the transition should go smoothly. That said, there are inevitably hiccups with new procedures. Please bear with us and do not hesitate to contact any of the trustees if you need assistance with anything.

We are looking forward to working with Grassroots.

We have begun the process of recruiting a new secretary on a part time basis of 20 hours/week and welcome applications from suitably qualified and experienced individuals.

Anyone wishing for more information can phone:

Chairman Nigel Hill on 07787 964811

Vice -Chairman David Wallace 07915 607469

Vice-Chairman Geoff Bryant 07970 519365

The Trustees of The Exmoor Pony Society