Does anyone remember the 'Win a Pony' competitions in magazines?

[throwawayaccount]

I remember way back(!) in the 90s reading Horse and Pony magazines and there being a competition to win your own pony. To keep your won pony going for a year, there were tons of sponsors involved-- feed companys (Baileys or Spillers?), bedding, tack etc. Child me was very jealous and upset at not being allowed to enter

can't imagine one of these competitions happening nowadays, but does anyone else remember this or know the people who won?

 

[meleeka]

I remember them well. It seemed an impossible task to win though. Even if you got yourself down to the final 10 there were many tests before the winner was chosen. I vaguely remember the short list having to be thoroughly investigated and prove their knowledge and facilities.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Back in the 70s WHSmith had the win a pony competition annually, then Pony mag followed on.

 

[Sealine]

I remember the one in Pony magazine in the 70s/80s. I seem to remember winning a Pony magazine t-shirt as a runner up prize but I can't remember if it related to the win a pony competition.

 

[onemoretime]

I remember a Win a Pony competition many years ago in the 60's it was on the back of a Sugar Puffs cereal box. I entered but never heard anything back.

 

[Supertrooper]

Your Horse did it for a good while

 

[teapot]

I remember the Horse and Pony one, and that Robinsons catalogue that used to come with it at times

 

[Supertrooper]

On an aside, does anyone remember Gallop magazine?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Yes I remember and I was very jealous of the winners!!

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I remember it; and it just didn't seem to cater for the "off the wall" kind of people like me who DIDN'T keep their horse at a yard, or follow a particular discipline, or want to compete.

I felt there was no point in applying frankly.

 

[Ratface]

I remember it and I knew someone who actually won a pony! Fortunately, her parents could afford to keep him. As I remember, he was a cheerful black and white cob, rather lacking in brakes and steering!

 

[Otherwise]

I remember the your horse one, it must have been over 15 years ago. I don't remember the full process to apply, I think there was a 2 part questionaire, maybe some other step or two and then the finalists went to an assessment at talland.

 

[Identityincrisis]

Funny, i was just thinking about this a couple of weeks ago. I entered once, probably aged about 12, one question really stuck with me, and now 22 years into horse ownership i still couldn't answer it! 'What direction should a field shelter face?'

 

[sportsmansB]

Funny, i was just thinking about this a couple of weeks ago. I entered once, probably aged about 12, one question really stuck with me, and now 22 years into horse ownership i still couldn't answer it! 'What direction should a field shelter face?'

Presumably relating to prevailing wind?

 

[teapot]

Funny, i was just thinking about this a couple of weeks ago. I entered once, probably aged about 12, one question really stuck with me, and now 22 years into horse ownership i still couldn't answer it! 'What direction should a field shelter face?'

Something to do with prevailing wind?

 

[riversideeu]

I won my lovely mare Femke in Your Horse Magazine many years ago. lots of questions to answer over a few months then a final in Wales.

 

[Sleighfarer]

I, too, know someone who actually won a pony. I met her as an adult and she still had him.

 

[HashRouge]

I won my lovely mare Femke in Your Horse Magazine many years ago. lots of questions to answer over a few months then a final in Wales.

Oh you have to give us more details - how exciting!

 

[kathantoinette]

I won my lovely mare Femke in Your Horse Magazine many years ago. lots of questions to answer over a few months then a final in Wales.

Oh wow! How old were you?

 

[millikins]

I didn't win a pony but I was a runner up in the WHS competition and won a 10 shilling book token. My parents would have been horrified if I'd actually won!

 

[Supertrooper]

Oh wow!!!!

Did they check that the people entering could afford the ongoing care? Just wonder how thorough they were

I won my lovely mare Femke in Your Horse Magazine many years ago. lots of questions to answer over a few months then a final in Wales.

 

[nagblagger]

[QUOTE="riversideeu, I won my lovely mare Femke in Your Horse Magazine many years ago. lots of questions to answer over a few months then a final in Wales.[/QUOTE]

Hurry up,i'm impatient, we all want all the details, how did you get to choose your horse?

 

[COldNag]

I won a runner up prize in the WHS Win a Pony one year , a pair of top seats to HOYS (in those days, at Wembley).

I remember I was gutted to have got so close!!

I entered the WHS ones every year, and then the Pony mag ones. Never won a Pony

 

[Dontforgetaboutme]

I was a same stables as a winner of a Your Horse win a pony comp. Lovely 16.2 showjumper

 

[Lucky Snowball]

I entered Smiths Win a Pony every year but never won - maybe Mum didn't post it !!!

 

[EmmaC78]

I remember the pony that was won, it was called Freddie and he was a little chestnut. I remember they used to run the odd story about him.

 

[visa_bot]

I know someone that did win. A totally non horsey family but she put the pony into a riding school after the year so she could keep it. She is now a very good equine vet!

 

[SEL]

I entered Smiths Win a Pony every year but never won - maybe Mum didn't post it !!!

I've always suspected my mum never posted it either!!

 

[riversideeu]

Oh you have to give us more details - how exciting!

It was probably nearly 30 years ago now. I was lucky enough to win a lovely Dutch mare Femke who I had from age 7 until we lost her at 24. She had 5 lovely foals for me and I kept the last Mouse. She has had 4 foals the last a filly this year who I am keeping. She is a lovely chestnut like her grandma.

 

[riversideeu]

Oh wow! How old were you?

I was probably around 30 at the time. It was a lot of years ago as I am 61 now. I have just managed to breed a filly out of her daughter this year so she is still with me through her children and grand children.