On 24 March, a team of three judges, and with me as their paper-shuffler, flew up to Cheshire, where the Society held a Grading Day in the excellent and spacious facilities at Adlington Equestrian Centre, near Macclesfield. After a hearty breakfast, the day began with colt inspections. Five colts were inspected and approved for stallion licensing - the 2-year-olds Mallards Wood Saint Peter and Woodfidley Saint George from Cheshire, and Marleydenes Shiraz from Yorkshire, and the 3-year-olds, Applewitch Lunar Lad from Lancashire and Broadlands Polaris who made the long journey from Cambridge.

Mrs Margaret Furness kindly travelled from York to judge the dressage. She proved to be a firm judge, especially with the give and re-take reins movement, but fair, and we were delighted that four of the six ponies forward achieved Grade 1, and two out of the three achieved Grade 2. This is evidence indeed of the good standard being achieved by our ponies throughout the whole country.

A very pleasant bunch of stud mares was inspected and all were graded, the pick of them being the good moving grey mare Wanstead Moonlight Serenade.

With the formalities over, the judges retired to the café for a well-earned coffee, and had their brains thoroughly picked by both exhibitors and those who had come along to watch. We certainly hope that your confidence has now been raised and that many more of you will come forward - especially the jumpers! - when we go out into the country again, hopefully in two years' time.

We would like to thank everyone who helped in so many different ways to make the day a success - with sponsorship, advertising and promotion, booking arrangements, dressage writing, and generally shuttling us around and for looking after us so well.

Jane Murray