April 2002

I am writing to introduce myself and my new column. At the recent AGM I was elected onto the committee with special responsibility for events. My name is Kitty Hamilton and I am a partner in the Boothby Miniature Donkey herd, along with my parents (Gay and Javan James). We currently have around fifteen donkeys, with several babies expected this year.

We enjoy getting our donkeys out to show them off - the reception from the public is always fantastic. This year we hope to do four or five shows and are also having a tradestand at a local country fair. Although everyone loves showing in miniature classes, I firmly believe we have to go out and show with standard donkeys too. We won two classes against standards at the Heckington show in 2000. It can be done and the MMDA are happy to supply various miniature rosettes to any show - if you plan to show against standards let Jill or myself know and we will ask the organisers to present an MMDA rosette. Hopefully when organisers see that we are prepared to show our miniatures, and that we do a good job of it, they will start to put on more classes just for us. A list of Donkey Shows affiliated to the BDS can be downloaded from their homepage - www.donkeybreedsociety.co.uk - which has contact details for all the shows listed. Cd means closing date for entries, so you will need to enquire well before these.

Shows that I know of with specific classes for miniatures are below. All have at least two miniature classes and a dedicated Championship.

The East Anglian Donkey Show, Nr Mildenhall, Suffolk
Secretary: Mrs A Fraser - tel 01473 659 387 - Schedules late May

All Miniature Breeds Show, Nr Doncastor, S Yorks
Secretary: Mrs Jane Davenport - tel 01427 728 266 - Schedules available soon.
This show also has many other classes that miniatures can enter, lots of prizes and a lovely atmosphere. It deserves more support!

Peterborough Autumn Donkey Show - East of England Showgroud, Cambs
Secretary: Mrs Paddy Clark - tel 01832 272 210
This is a show with lots going on - it is also known as the Pearl Autumn Show. We all seem to see it as our unofficial championship show. Last year there were lots of miniatures there, so come and have a look, or better still enter!

I am very keen on driving. I drive our jack ÓCopyright, or Wiggy. I have shown him in harness at the Pearl show for the last two years, coming 3rd last year and beating the previous years champion! Wiggy also took me to my wedding, where he behaved impeccably. We plan to show him in harness at the summer and autumn shows at the East of England, Heckington and possibly the British Driving Society show at Windsor Great Park. We are interested in purchasing a show turnout, a four wheeler and pairs/team harness if any one knows of any.

Boothby Miniature Donkeys (BMD) have taken a tradestand at Revesby Country fair on 4th August - why do these things always clash? - and are enquiring into ones at Burghley Horse Trials and the Horse of the Year Show. The MMDA took a stand, financed by Kim Stanton and BMD, at the Royal Show two years ago, where we had a huge amount of interest.

There are two initiatives that I am willing to co-ordinate, if there is sufficient interest, Firstly a showing seminar, in a fairly central location, where we could all learn a bit more about conformation and also how to show successfully - turnout, ringcraft etc. Secondly would people be interested in hosting/attending open days? I would envisage that our larger breeders could show anyone interested around their premises. Hopefully these days would help us to share good practice and ideas and see breeding jacks and stock for sale. I would envisage that it would be possible to get local publicity, hopefully widening our net of miniature donkey lovers. If you think either of these ideas are good and are interested in participating, including attending open days, please let me know.

You can contact me by phone - 01507 466 797 or email - kitty@digitalasylum.co.uk.
Have a look at our webpage too - www.boothbyminiaturedonkeys.co.uk - lots of photos and some donkeys for sale.

This article was originally published in the newsletter of the
Miniature Mediterranean Donkey Association