When I traveled to Cumbria in 2005, I saw over one hundred Fell Ponies, but there were only three herds that caught my attention. Their breeders had an eye for the old type of Fell, and their mares were all representative of that type. In addition, the consistency of type that these breeders had achieved was noteworthy.
My subsequent study of the breed has led me to admire particular mare lines within certain studs. There are four mare lines in addition to Beauty’s that I especially admire. So far I have a representative of two of these lines in my herd. Someday I hope to have representatives of all four.
Maree of Baronshill
 My favorite mare line in the breed is out of Maree of Baronshill. Maree is deceased, but I have met her son by Twislehope Rupert and another son by Lunesdale Henry. Seeing these boys told me that I had to meet more of her offspring. I completely fell for her daughter by Greenholme Mikado who is carrying on her line. Molly epitomizes every characteristic in my poem about the old type of Fell Pony. Unfortunately, my pictures of her are grainy because of a camera malfunction.
Restar Lucky
 My second favorite mare line in the breed is out of Restar Lucky. When I first saw the Restar ponies in 2005, I was captivated by their bone and substance and consistency of type. Now I also understand the care their breeder has gone to to preserve the old type and make sure that these ponies move beautifully. There are now three generations of Lucky’s line on the ground, and they just keep getting better and better.
The Guards Mares
The Guards stud in Cumbria is my next favorite, and I am thrilled to have a stallion from this herd that is a cross of their oldest mare lines. In 2005 in Cumbria, it was an amazing experience to be in a herd of ponies that were all of the old type at this stud.
Lunesdale White Rose
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My fourth favorite mare line in the breed is out of Lunesdale White Rose. Considered the matriarch of the Lunesdale herd, White Rose is no longer breeding. White Rose has her share of championships, and her daughter and granddaughter have followed in her wake. I first saw White Rose on a video, leading the Lunesdale herd as it descended from Roundthwaite Common to the farm. In 2005, I was pleased to meet her in person. I feel fortunate to have a White Rose granddaughter in my herd.
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Sleddale Rose Beauty
1987 mare
sire: Lunesdale Lucky Jim
dam: Sleddale Rosemary
jet black with white star
 Beauty comes from the longstanding Sleddale stud in Cumbria where Fell ponies have been bred for generations. In 1991, her dam Sleddale Rosemary was judged to embody “the best qualities” and to be “true to type” by the judge who placed her first. Beauty was selected for export to the United States by Sarge Noble of the renowned Heltondale stud and then-Secretary of the Fell Pony Society Rachel Bell. They both felt Beauty was “a fine example of a Fell pony to show to another country.” Beauty is tough, hardy, and has lots of bone and substance. She has done her best to guide me in the stewardship of the breed. She has produced five foals in her nine years with me, and her offspring by Guards Apollo are a thrill as they are very much of the old type. Watch a short video of Beauty trotting by clicking here.
Restar Mountain Shelley III
2004 mare
Sire: Lunesdale Prince Albert
Dam: Townend Mountain Gypsy IV
Jet black with white star
Shelley is my representative of the esteemed Lunesdale White Rose line, a granddaughter through her sire. Imported in 2006, Shelley’s major contribution to my herd is correct conformation and excellent movement. Watching Shelley always teaches me more about the breed and how the old type of pony is supposed to stand and move. Her sire was ridden champion at the 2005 Fell Pony Society Stallion and Colt Show. From the Restar Stud, Shelley represents the more refined style of Fell Pony. I hope someday to see her competing in dressage. Click here to see a video of Shelley trotting to her morning hay.
Lunesdale Silver Belle
2004 mare
Sire: Lunesdale Mercury
Dam: Lunesdale Heather Belle
black
Ellie comes from Roundthwaite Common, one of the fells near Tebay in Cumbria. Bred by the Morlands of the award-winning Lunesdale stud, Ellie’s mother is full sister to many-times champion Lunesdale Evening Star, and Ellie has super sire Heltondale Black Prince III on her sire’s side. In addition to the hardiness that goes with being fell born, Ellie brings good bone and substance to my herd, as well as the movement that is prized by the Morlands. I enjoy working with her friendly temperament, including her occasional booming snorts! To see a slide show of pictures of Silver Belle, click here.
Bowthorne Matty
2006 mare
Sire: Heltondale Ted
Dam: Wansfell Amanda
bay
Matty is my first non-black Fell Pony. Fell-bred, she has Sleddale ponies on her dam’s side, and Heltondale ponies on her sire’s side, including four time Supreme Champion Heltondale Black Prince III. Matty possesses the hardiness, bone and substance of the old type that I prefer and has a fun-loving temperament that makes her a joy to have around.
Willowtrail Wild Rose
2007 filly
Sire: Guards Apollo
Dam: Sleddale Rose Beauty
Black with white star
 Rose’s birth was all I needed to justify importing Apollo. I had finally found a stallion that could help me replicate my beloved Beauty. At last I had the bone and substance and depth through the heart that I was after. Rose is an improvement on her mother in many ways and I therefore consider her a success in my breeding program. The challenge I now face is finding a suitable mate for her! |
In the first herd of Fell Ponies that I ever saw, I was immediately drawn to just one of them, the senior mare. Sleddale Rose Beauty had a look that I liked, and I was fortunate to be able to buy her shortly thereafter. It was a great disadvantage to have my first Fell Pony be of the old type. I then expected all the other Fells I saw to be like her, and I’ve been quite disappointed. The challenge then became trying to create another Beauty, and it took me seven years and importing a stallion before I succeeded. The good news since then is that I have met a number of other old-type mares and have imported two. So far it seems that there are more mares of the old type than stallions.