In 2005 I went to Cumbria to look at stallions. The one I had at the time possessed a wonderful temperament, was kind to mares and foals, had a stunning jet black color, and was fun to ride, but he wasn't helping me breed the old type I like. I had seen several other stallions in this country, and none of them were the old type either. I had also been told more than once by veteran English breeders of these ponies that good stallions were few and far between, so I knew I was on a tough mission, especially wanting to take a good one out of the country! If I couldn't find any old-type stallions for sale on my trip, I had pretty much decided I was finished breeding.
I saw over 150 ponies on that trip , including many of the breed's top stallions at the Fell Pony Society Stallion and Colt Show. Only two at the show impressed me as being of the old type. However, just one of the judges I spoke with that day rated them as good examples of the breed (and he wasn’t judging the show!) The day before I left England, my life changed when I visited the Littletree Fell Pony Stud and saw their new stallion. I am thankful to the Woolleys for subsequently helping me import their stallion's nephew, Guards Apollo. My eye for good stallions has now matured, and I look forward to visiting Cumbria again and determining what other stallions in the breed besides my own have the type and the movement I am breeding for. |
Guards Apollo
I imported Apollo in 2005 after meeting him in Cumbria at the Guards stud. In addition to the kind temperament that is so important in a stallion, Apollo is the old type, passing to his foals roundness in the body, good action, and generous quantities of mane and forelock. He loves to play, and he and I have a good time doing so at liberty, walking, trotting, circling and backing together. You can see a video of Apollo trotting to his morning hay by clicking here or a video of me playing with Apollo in the round pen by clicking here.
Willowtrail Black Robin
Robin is out of my imported mare Restar Mountain Shelley III and by Guards Apollo. Born in 2008, he is now a licensed Fell Pony stallion and has served some of my mares. Robin is solid black with abundant mane, tail, and feather. I expect him to mature at 13.2hh. He has terrific feet and moves beautifully. Everything is easy for him because his conformation is so good. He knows all seven games of Parelli Natural Horsemandship and has been self-assessed at Level 1 On-line Patterns. You can see video of Robin as a two year old doing Figure 8s on-line by clicking here and jumping a pole by clicking here. You can see video of Robin's manners and movement as a three year old by clicking here. To see a slide show of Robin, click here.
Midnight Valley Timothy
 When I got involved with Fell Ponies, I never intended to own a stallion. I didn't feel my horsemanship was up to it. Fortunately, while Midnight demanded that I improve my horsemanship, he was wonderful to have around, being kind to mares and foals and fun to ride. I can't imagine life without a stallion now. Midnight is currently a gelding living in New York.
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