Report: Meyrick Brown Pictures: Tim Jones

A number of breeders from abroad were again amongst the many interested spectators at the 56th annual Spring Show of Welsh Ponies and Cobs, organised by the Lampeter committee on the Llanllyr estate at Talsarn which once more attracted some 500 quality entries of stallions and youngstock.

Athletic and hardy, flashy and sporty, intelligent, sound and reasonably easy to keep, a Welsh Pony or Cob is considered by many to find its way into your home and into your heart. However, the council of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society continue to be mindful of the large number of ponies still being bred in the current economic climate and urge members to act responsibly and be selective in their breeding policies.

The Lampeter show itself, located in the heart of Cob country, not only caters for stallions but also for youngstock, harness and ridden classes. Entries are drawn from all parts of Wales but include a large number from across England including the Home counties.

Enjoying a superb spring Saturday the president, himself a former regular breeder and exhibitor, Milton Jones of Adfa, Newtown, expressed his most grateful thanks and appreciation of the positive and ongoing support from the many generous sponsors of the event and scores of enthusiasts of the Welsh breeds and proudly drew attention to yet another excellent turnout.

With a lifetime’s experience of the Welsh breeds, it was Mr Jones’s role to award the supreme championship and he gave this to Dorian Lloyd of Llanfeichan presenting the winning Cob stallion, the six-year-old Gwynfaes Seren Wledig bred and owned by Meirion, Dianne and Caleb Evans of Aberaeron.

Placed in reserve was Heniarth Showbiz, a special two year old Section A colt bred by Miller & Davies by Royal Welsh Champion Blanche Montana out of Horse of the Year Show led and ridden finalist Heniarth Yippee-aye-Yeah and now owned by Ceri Fell of Gloucester.

The youngstock champion was the yearling Section D colt, Cascob Delwyn, owned by Kent breeder, John Townsend and honours in the ridden section went to Ringside Game Over, the winning Cob shown under saddle and entered by Alex Williams of Cardiff.

Championship results:

SUPREME

M, D and C Evans, Welsh Cob (Gwynfaes Seren Wledig)

STALLIONS

Welsh Cob (Section D) Standing in North Wales and supreme – M, D and C Evans (Gwynfaes Seren Wledig).,

Standing in South Wales – J K Walters, Glamorgan (Thorneyside Royal Command)., Standing in Mid Wales – Jones family, Aberystwyth (Fronarth Joshua)., Standing outside Wales – Granger & Mitchell, Essex (Dycott Brynmor).

Welsh Pony (Cob type) Section C – Standing in Wales – M D Cobley, Cheshire (Caebryn Endeavour)., Standing outside Wales – D and S Morris & Friar’s Stud, Aberystwyth (Moorcroft Mastertom).

Welsh Mountain Pony, Section A – Cobley family, Gwent (Tryfel Triumph).

Welsh Pony, Section B – Lacy Stud, Bala (Paddock Rio).

YOUNGSTOCK

Welsh Cob, Section D and supreme – J Townsend, Kent (Cascob Delwyn).

Welsh Pony (Cob type) Section C – P R Sulsh, Kent (Little Beechen Brenin).

Welsh Pony, Section B – J Mansfield, Cheshire (Janpete Touch of Class).

Welsh Mountain Pony, Section A – C Fell, Gloucester (Heniarth Showbiz).

UNDER SADDLE

Welsh Cob, Section D and Supreme overall – A Williams, Cardiff (Ringside Game Over).

Welsh Pony (Cob type) Section C – S Whitfield, Letterston (Winton Rascal).

Welsh Mountain Pony, Section A – S Chambers, Cardigan (Stormydown Little Tiger).

Welsh Pony Section B – J S Hall, Pembroke (Graishall Lara).

Mountain and Moorland and supreme – H Parr (Moelview Prince Charming).

Novice – H Ellis – Jones (Barkway Guinevere).

First ridden – Grota & Thomas, Cardigan (Nantfforchog Blue Moondust).

Leading rein – K Canton, Haverfordwest (Briolen Chloe).

HARNESS

Welsh Cob and Cob type, Sections D and C and supreme- – D Groom, Berkshire (Brynseion Derfael).

Welsh Mountain Pony and Welsh Pony, Sections A and B – Granger & Mitchell, Essex (Senny Kendal).