Flying the flag for British Breeders!
KBF Stud
Led by Michael Cook and Tony Reynolds, this stud is responsible for one of the most consistent coloured horses on the circuit, KBF Crescendo, or Daphne. This year Daphne stood RIHS 2022 coloured supreme Champion for the second time, having first done so in 2018. The Free Spirit nine-year-old mare is home-bred by Michael and Tony. She’s an incredible horse to watch, with a string of excellent results to their name including championships at the Great Yorkshire and at Royal Windsor. This season she has also competed in ladies hunter classes, with Daphne taking two RIHS qualifiers in two attempts at Herts County and at Royal Bath and West before winning the final at the RIHS. A second KBF horse, five-year-old KBF Lucia (Poppy), won the non-native coloured horse class at HOYS this year too. They also have several other horses flying the KBF flag competing at the highest level.
Linsop Stud
Lindsey Hewitt and Sophie Clohessy are two young breeders dedicated to promoting the British Riding Pony. Based in Burnley, the pair have overcome Lindsey undergoing major brain surgery to continue to produce quality ponies, turned out beautifully for competition. Although the Stud is relatively new, their priority is breeding quality riding ponies that are wonderful children’s ponies, they are incredibly proud that the Linsop ponies are showcasing these qualities which they highlight ‘are not mutually exclusive’ in-hand and under saddle. What’s most remarkable about this pair according to nominations is their absolute “dedication to and positivity about the British Riding Pony.” They are also “always promoting positive messages about the showing industry, setting a great example to young breeders and showing enthusiasts.”
Glebedale Stud
Jill Williams and her daughter Kitty Bodily are at the helm at Glebedale Stud. Over the years, Jill has bred Riding Ponies, Welsh sections A, B and C, but now their focus tends to be on the A and the C. They have enjoyed tremendous success over the years and have been champion at many of the major shows across the UK, including Royal Welsh and Horse of the Year Show winners. Section A Glebedale Mumbo Jumbo stepped up from an extremely successful run as a first ridden to not only win his class, but to stand open champion at HOYS 2018. Similarly, former M&M mini champion Glebedale Jubilee is now successfully representing her breed in In-Hand qualifiers with her foal at foot. Their breeding has formerly won the Cuddy Supreme Pony – now the Price Family Supreme In-Hand – with Glebedale Ding Dong, who went on to stand Supreme In-Hand Reserve Champion. This season, they’ve had numerous cracking wins and championships in hand, and the Glebedale Stud flag was flown at HOYS with several ponies qualified from the Junior M&M workers to the section Cs.
Sharptor, Halstock and Blakertor Stud
Run by David Hodge and Julian Walters the studs are Breeders of Miniature Shetland Ponies, Standard Shetland Ponies, Dartmoor Ponies and most recently Exmoor Ponies. Both David and Julian are ambassadors for the Shetland breed and advocate the emphasis on the breeding standard both for in-hand and in ridden classes. The Stud’s dedication has been rewarded, with multiple appearances in the Supreme In-Hand final at HOYS, with Sharptor Trinity making history in 2016 when she became the first of her breed to contest the final in 30 years. A tall order for the Shetland, being our smallest native breed. Nevertheless, they don’t just qualify, but they hold their own at the final, this year finishing reserve pony in the Price Family Supreme In-Hand final with Sharptor Kinsman – repeating the result of Sharptor Trinity from 2016 and 2017. The stud has also had several HOYS, RIHS and London International Horse Show (LIHS) qualified ponies. In fact, the Shetland Stallion Sharptor Tricolore has already secured several wins and was placed 8th at LIHS last year under producer Jessica Talbot.
Amesbury Stud
Based in Cardiff and led by Anne Prosser, the Amesbury ponies have enjoyed years of success at shows, with numerous ponies carrying the prefix qualifying for HOYS. Many are started by Anne’s daughter, Charlotte Prosser, who produced the lead rein pony Amesbury Champagne to the Supreme title at the Royal Welsh Show in 2019. The family stud has been breeding ponies for over 25 years, and they are dedicated to the ponies that they have bred. Breeding true children’s riding ponies, the stud’s success reaches far beyond the success in the show ring with many Amesbury ponies excelling in all aspects of ridden work. Many that nominated Anne and the Stud noted the suitability of the ponies for children, “All of Anne’s ponies are true children’s ponies, beautifully put together with temperaments to match.”
Nipna Stud
The Pennell family’s Nipna Dales Pony Stud started breeding Dales ponies in 2000. Managed by Anna Pennell, alongside her mother Julie and sister Laura, the team have had many notable victories in the show ring. The Pennell’s breeding success owes specific credit to former stallion Lowhouses Black Magic, he sired many show winners for Nipna Stud, an incredible record at HOYS as every pony that he has sired has finished in the top 10. In 2021, Nipna ponies dominated the Dales Pony of the Year final at HOYS with a stronghold of 6 representing the stud and they went on to make history as all 6 were placed! This year the Stud was represented in equal merit at HOYS with 5 Nipna ponies taking 7 qualifying places at HOYS. Nipna Midnight Rambler (Rambo) last season was second at HOYS, a feat he repeated in 2022 following in his mother Nipna Damask Rose’s footsteps. He was also Best of Breed at the London International Horse Show in third, and has qualified again this year having taken champion at Suffolk County. This season has been a great one for Nipna ponies in the show ring with the tally at 11 qualified for RIHS, 5 for HOYS, and 4 for LIHS!
Ringside Stud
Led by hard-working sisters Alex and Kate Williams and supported by parents Gareth and Christine the Welsh based Stud have had a phenomenal season! Flying the flag for Ringside Stud and Welsh Cobs that they have homebred, and home produced the sisters both qualified for HOYS 2022. Ringside Top Dollar took Champion Section D Pony of the Year at HOYS, a title that they repeated following the 2015 win with Ringside Game Over. Both Ringside Top Dollar and Ringside Zorba that the sisters competed at HOYS, also won at the Royal Welsh Show 2022 claiming a double spot in the coveted Gold Medal Championship for the Stud with Ringside Top Dollar crowned Champion Ridden Welsh Cob and Gold Medal Winner. The family’s success extends beyond just their homebreds and they have had a successful showing career including in the coveted Supreme In-Hand with a win in 2013 with Synod Lady Lilian, and most recently in 2022 with the Section B Northlight Coppelia.
