07/08/2026
On the eve of the show to mark the 125th year of the Welsh Pony & Cob Society we cast our memories back twenty four years to the Centenary celebration show, delayed one year due to the Foot & Mouth outbreak, and the influence our winners have had since then.
Our judges that day included the esteemed breeders Charlotte Kelway (Cottesmore) for the Mountain Ponies, Emrys Bowen (Cennen) for the Section B’s and Ann Overton-Ablitt (Colne) in the ridden ponies.
It was a huge honour to stand Section A champion that day over Blackhill Picalo with Brynodyn Scarlet for her owners and breeders Keith and Ann Hughes. Scarlet twice represented the breed in-hand at the Horse of the Year Show and although with only seven offspring to her name produced the Royal Welsh and HOYS ridden winners Brynodyn Savannah by Heniarth Quinnell and Brynodyn Sirius by Roseisle Pandy Tudyr. Her son Brynodyn Safari's influence will be much missed.
Earlier in the same ring we had shown the two year old Heniarth Yippee-aye-Yeah to stand Junior Female Champion. Yippee of course went on to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show both in-hand and under saddle but more importantly should go down in the history books as the dam of Royal Welsh Champions Heniarth Showbiz and Heniarth Sh-Boom.
Within the Section B’s we were delighted to take the Junior Female sash with the three year old Rhoson Anja for Meirion’s parents John & Glenys Davies. Anja went on to be the dam of the leading sire Rhoson Adonis; Rhoson Amlyn, a top Dutch sire who produced the Royal Welsh Champion and HOYS ridden winner Kallared Heartbeat; Royal Welsh winner Rhoson Anoushka, dam of our 2026 Royal Welsh winner Heniarth Arietta were her greatest achievements prior to her leaving for Sweden.
Meanwhile down in the ridden ring Heniarth Quail won her ridden section before being named as Supreme Ridden champion under both Ann Overton-Ablitt and Mark Northam, produced by Julie Templeton and beautifully ridden by Vanessa Rowlands. Quail was the start of the “bird” family here, being the dam of Chiff Chaff, herself the mother of HOYS and London International finalists Heniarth Willy-Wagtail and currently Heniarth Chaffinch amongst many much loved ridden offspring.
The trophies and ribbons we won that day still sit proudly in the cabinet but the fact that these ponies continue to have an influence in our own stud, as well as many others worldwide, is extremely satisfying as we strive to carry the breed forward, continuing the dedication of our forefathers. Roll on the 150th year!
Good luck to everyone competing. Enjoy!
