The Society was saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Anne Irving of the Winneydene Stud, West Yorkshire, on the 14^th of April 2023.

Anne had been a Member of the Society since 1972 along with her late husband Billy; together they started the stud named after the family home which stood atop a hill overlooking Holmfirth. The stud was started with the purchase of Lundhouse Maylight by Coed Coch Planed initially as a lead rein pony for Anne and Billy’s children. However, when mated with Revel Sabu in 1973, she produced Winneydene Satelite the following year who would go on to put this small stud on the map. In 1983, Satelite won the Lloyds Bank Qualifier on home turf at the Great Yorkshire Show and later went on to win the Supreme Championship at HOYS, shown by the late Geoff Ramsden. Satelite enjoyed a long and successful show career, including winning the Male Championship at the Royal Welsh when he was 18 years old.

The Winneydene ponies have excelled in all spheres which Anne was particularly proud of and their bloodlines have influenced several other studs. The ponies often lived out at Winneydene on top of the hill, ideal conditions for Welsh Mountain Ponies and that came through in their longevity and hardiness. Winneydene Satelite lived to the grand age of 35, his son W. Bari lived to 26 and Gwyn-Emrys to 25 and Anne’s last remaining ponies are still going strong into their 20’s now.

Anne was a very kind and hospitable person, very knowledgeable and willing to share stories and experiences, and was equally up for a party and among her friends at shows was well known for hosting get-togethers. She was also keen to promote showing and Anne and Billy where founder members of the West Yorkshire WPCA and she was also involved in the long-running NCPA Yorkshire group. Anne and Billy where always keen to support their local shows and could often be found ringside at many events, including travelling to the International Show in The Netherlands in 2000 to watch Winneydene Gwyn-Emrys who was shown there by Colin Tibbey. Emrys enjoyed great success that day finishing as Reserve Supreme of Show. Sadly, Billy suddenly passed away a few months after the show, but Anne continued with the stud along with help from her friends and family.

Anne was keen to encourage the younger generation and enjoyed receiving updates from friends with Winneydene ponies from all around the country, including from Scotland where Winneydene Mia now lives as a broodmare and also of Winneydene Cameo’s and Winneydene Cati’s progress in their careers under saddle. Anne was very proud of Nantdywyll Cadi, a mare she had given to develop her friend’s studs when Anne made the decision to stop breeding herself. Cadi was purchased as a foal from the late John Jones and Anne gladly received the news just two weeks before her passing that Cadi had produced a lovely, strong, and long-awaited filly foal for her owner.

Even though she has been unable to attend shows recently due to health reasons, Anne’s presence at shows will be hugely missed.  ‘Aunty Anne’ as she was known to so many of her closest friends will be much missed but fondly remembered for her character and enthusiasm about the Welsh Breeds.

The Society extends its sympathy to all her friends and family at this sad time.

A celebration of her life will be held at Huddersfield Crematorium on Friday 12^th May at 2.45. Afterwards, a gathering will be held at Underbank RLFC, The Cross Grounds, Dunford Road, Holmfirth, HD9 2RR.