THE growing popularity of a Wiltshire pony display team is boosting a charity appeal for the Bristol Children’s Hospital.

In 2019 the Shetland Performance Display Team based in Bradford Leigh has raised £4,300 for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal.

Team manager Isabella Bride said: “The team has been very busy throughout this year raising money for the charity, which supports the Bristol Children’s Hospital.

“The team travels around the south of England putting on Gold Cup-style Shetland pony races at local and county shows.

“The 2019 racing season has been a massive success for the team as they have managed to raise an amazing total of £4,300 for The Grand Appeal.

“This is the result of some very kind donations from show organisers and the general public.”

The team’s ponies are all registered with The Shetland Pony Stud Book Society and are ridden by children aged between nine and 13.

Six of them are owned by Gillian Marston, of Bradford Leigh, who set up the team in 2012. They are Truffles, Mavis, Olivia, Almond and Grace. Others, such as Frankie, Danny and Winnie, are brought along by their owners.

The team’s riders include Bethany Sartin, 11, from North Wraxall; Amelia Tanner, 13, from Trowbridge; Fay Emms, 6, from Evesham; Hattie Beck, 10, from Broughton Gifford; Lowan Mills, 9, from Wales; Molly Scriven, 12, from Devizes, and Tilly Hutchings, 12, from Lacock.

Miss Bride, a 19-year-old Hartpury University student, said: “Our team of children and volunteers work very hard throughout the year to make sure every single race runs smoothly.

"Of course, the real stars of the show are the ponies, who perform beautifully for us no matter what the conditions are like.

“We have had some lovely venues to perform at this year and are looking forward to visiting some of them again next year.

“We are extremely grateful to the shows who have donated towards our fundraising efforts this year as well as all the members of the public who have put money in the bucket collections at some of the shows."

Behind the scenes, the team owes an awful lot to those who let them use their facilities for training purposes, as well as those who have sponsored and supported them this year.

Sponsors and supporters include Cross Country 4x4, Bonnetts Embroidery in Newmarket, Hamptons International, Redrow Homes, Jay Photos, Altec Media and Raw Pics.

Miss Bride added: “At the centre of all our work is the Grand Appeal who provide vital equipment and support to patients and their families at the Bristol Children’s Hospital.

“I am very much looking forward to working with the team again next year where we hope to have lots of fun and raise some more money for the Grand Appeal.”

The team would like to thank all of the following events for donating to such a wonderful cause: The NAF 5* Winter Dressage Championships, CountryTastic, Devon County Show, The MBBA Demo, Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show, GwynBeth 2019, Wellow Flower Show, Frampton on Severn Country Fair and the Frome Cheese Show.

After a short break for Christmas, the team will start preparing for the 2020 season.

The team are available to book for various different kinds of event.

Miss Bride said: “For the first time ever, the team are fully booked for every weekend in September.”

To find out more, contact Isabella Bride via email at shetperfdt@gmail.com