Spring :)

Spring has definitely sprung in our little micro-climate of Western France. I'm trying not to be smug here (as I know all of my UK friends and family are struggling through deep snow and icy winds worthy of Siberia) but we've had a succession of sunny days with the temperature occasionally scraping 20 degrees C. The daffodils and crocuses are in full bloom and my 2 Dales stallions King and Wilf are becoming increasingly impatient to start the 2013 covering season. With the sun on their backs, they cannot understand why they have to wait for "lady friends" to appear. However, we do not want any February foals, so wait is what they must do!

This seems the ideal time to introduce our Dales stallions to anyone who is new to our stud: Firstly we have our senior stallion Wilf - Thornville Pride, by Wheatside John out of Wheatside Lady Rose, foaled in 1999. Wilf is whole non-fading black. ie. he does not have any white markings whatsoever, and his coat does not fade in bright sunlight. He stands just over 14hh and is the sire of  9 purebred Dales foals to date.

Wilf is broken to ride-and-drive. In his younger days he achieved show success at County level, both inhand and in Trade Driving classes. He also worked commercially as a wedding carriage pony and competed in endurance rides of distances up to 60km. Whilst training to move up to 90km endurance rides, Wilf was involved in a road traffic accident when a car mounted the verge and crashed into his hindquarters. Fortunately, Wilf was not seriously injured, but he lost his confidence and became unpredictable when riding or driving on the road, so the decision was made to fully retire him to stud.
Wilf is beautifully bred with classic and sought-after Wheatside bloodlines. He is very well-mannered and a pleasure to do in all respects. He stamps correct conformation, true Dales Pony traits, and unlimited stamina on his foals.
Wilf has 1 Dales foal due in April 2013. This foal will be black, and will be available to purchase.

 

 

Our second stallion is King - Coverdales Carnival King, by Wharfedale Prince Regent out of Colliery Black Bess, foaled in 2004. King is a very rare bay roan Dales Pony. Infact, he is the only licensed bay roan Dales Pony stallion in the World, so we are delighted to play a role in safe-guarding this rare colouration within the Dales breed. King is a tall example of his breed, standing at just over 14.3hh. He has a beautiful, proud head, a kind and gentle temperament and a superb trot with high knee action and lots of impulsion from behind. He is a delight to watch on the move!

 

 

King was broken to drive as a 3 year old, then turned away to mature. Subsequently, he has only been used as a breeding stallion but we do plan to resume his ridden and driven career at some time in the future. King is the sire of 6 purebred Dales foals to date, plus 2 part-bred fillies. He has 2 Dales foals due in May 2013, both of whom will be for sale. Since King is heterozygous for the roan gene, there is a 50:50 chance that these foals will be roan. Advance enquiries welcome.